Research Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

College of Science and Mathematics
Undergraduate Student Research Awards

The College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) supports undergraduate research through two competitive funding opportunities: Undergraduate Research Assistantships (URA) and Student Research Grants (SRG). These awards provide financial support for faculty-mentored research projected conducted outside of regular coursework. This page provides information about eligibility, application deadlines, funding types, award requirements, and the application process.

Undergraduate Research Award Eligibility

Qualified undergraduate students in the College of Science and Mathematics who wish to engage in intensive, faculty-mentored research are eligible to apply. Prior to applying, a faculty mentor must first agree to mentor the student and proposed research project. The award is non-transferable to another student or another faculty mentor. Any student who has been funded through a Faculty-Student Research and Creative Activity Internal Grant is not eligible to apply. 

Deadlines 

Students are responsible for ensuring the Kuali form is fully completed and submitted to the College of Science and Mathematics by 5:00 PM on the following dates:

For funding beginning Fall 2026, apply by September 4, 2026. 

For funding beginning Spring 2027, apply by November 13, 2026. 

For funding beginning Summer 2027, apply by April 9, 2027. 

Application Process (Kuali Submission)

1. The student will complete the Project Description and Budget Justification sections (with guidance and feedback from the faculty mentor).
2. The student must submit the application (not the faculty mentor).
3. The faculty mentor will complete the Faculty Recommendation section of the form, and then submit it for Approval.
4. Students are responsible for ensuring the Kuali form is fully completed and submitted to COSM before 5:00 PM on the application due date. Early submissions will be accepted and are encouraged to ensure changes, if any, can be made in a timely fashion.

Award Requirements

• Research must be independent of regular coursework (excepting Independent Study / Research Course credit).

• If the proposal involves the use of human subjects (including those using surveys, interviews, etc.) or vertebrate animals, approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), respectively, must be obtained. Proposals involving use of recombinant DNA and/or a biohazard, unless specifically exempted by NIH Guidelines, must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). If an assistantship is a part of the requested funding, compliance approval must be obtained prior to the application deadline. If only supplies are requested and compliance approval is pending, the faculty mentor must submit proof of approval prior to release of funds.
• Awardees will be expected to present their results at a campus venue if possible, and are encouraged to present at off-campus venues (conferences).

Purchasing and Reimbursement Policies

• Tarleton State Policies and Procedures must be followed when receiving or spending award funds, including state sales tax exemption requirements.

• Students must access their funds by working through their faculty mentor and departmental administrative assistant or purchaser. 

• Funds may be requested for supplies, services, and/or travel to collect data in addition to Assistantships.

• For reimbursements, original receipts/invoices are required.

• If students are using funds to travel for data collection, only fuel receipts will be reimbursed (mileage will not be reimbursed). The student must fill the gas tank upon leaving for the trip, then refuel immediately upon returning. It is the refueling receipt that is reimbursable. 

• All equipment and unused supplies purchased with awarded funds remain the property of Tarleton State University.

Types of Awards

Qualified undergraduate students may receive up to $2,000.00 total in funding. This may be awarded as an Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA), a Student Research Grant (SRG), or a combination of the two.

Undergraduate Research Assistantship

• Fall or Spring: Up to $1,000.00 per semester for approximately 100 hours of research.
  • Students may receive a URA in both Fall and Spring, for a maximum of $2,000.00 total.
• Summer: Up to $2,000.00 for a 10-week research experience, averaging approximately 20 hours per week.

Student Research Grant

Applicants must complete the Project Budget Justification section of the Kuali form.

• Up to $1,000 for project supplies and materials.

The combined total of all URA and SRG funding may not exceed $2,000.00 per student.

Application Review and Award Notification

Because funding is limited and awards are competitive, applicants are encouraged to submit complete applications that clearly and thoroughly address all required criteria. Applications are reviewed by the COSM Faculty Research Committee, and applicants will be notified via email of award decisions after the review process is completed. If the number of meritorious proposals exceeds available funding, recipients may receive less than the amount requested.

If you have any questions about the awards, application process, or completing the Kuali form, please reach out to the COSM Dean’s Office at cosm@tarleton.edu or 254-968-9781.