College Research in the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CRASSH) Scholars Program
College Research in the Arts, Social Sciences, and the Humanities (CRASSH) grants are competitive awards intended to enhance the educational experience of University of Chicago College students by supporting scholarly undergraduate research and creative inquiry experiences through active participation in faculty-driven research. These awards are designed to support the student in securing vital undergraduate research experiences with faculty by reducing their financial burden during the academic year. These awards are explicitly for students who have identified or are already pursuing research with a faculty member, faculty research cluster, or other faculty-driven research initiative.
Students in the arts, humanities and social sciences who receive a CRASSH grant will be recognized as CRASSH Research Scholars. Scholars will be supported by quarterly programming designed to enhance the scholars' experience and build a cross-disciplinary research community.
Applications are accepted two times per year – once in early October and once in early January. Candidates must apply by the stated deadline; these are not reviewed or awarded on a rolling basis. The grants are for $5,000 in total and disbursed in installments of $2,500 each over two, sequential quarters. Graduating seniors may request to receive a one-quarter award totaling $2,500. Awards will not be made to recent graduates or for use the summer after graduation.
Read more about the eligibility, scholar benefits and expectations before applying to the CRASSH Research Scholars Program:
What is scholarly undergraduate research? Undergraduate research is a scholarly or creative investigation that contributes to the systematic production of new knowledge; it is a meaningful scholarly activity that is driven by a faculty mentor or other research mentor(s), aids in the development of research tools, and is used to enrich the College academic curriculum and student experience through enhanced critical thinking skills and a greater understanding of a chosen discipline(s) and its methodologies.
Activities that are NOT undergraduate research: independent or student-driven projects or study; professional internships, externships, job shadowing, career treks, "micro-" or short-term experiences that are less than 30 days, student activites, course practicums, long-essays produced for courses, or adminstrative employment positions for departments, faculty, or labs.
CRASSH is a research scholars program designed, funded, and managed through a collaboration between the College at the University of Chicago, the Social Sciences Collegiate Division, the Humanities Collegiate Division, and the College Center for Research & Fellowships (CCRF).