Quad Undergraduate Research Grant Award:
- Scholars will receive a $5,000 grant for one academic year of research. Grants will be awarded in two installments of $2,500, across two consecutive quarters.
- Although the grant has two application cycles (Autumn and Winter) and distributes funds in two installments, the purpose of the Quad Undergraduate Research Scholars program is to support engagement in faculty-mentored research that spans an entire academic year. Autumn Quarter applicants should thus propose a research plan that extends through the Spring Quarter, while Winter Quarter applicants should summarize the activities of Autumn as well as the plan for Winter and Spring.
- For Winter Quarter applicants, Autumn research activities may include establishing a mentoring relationship, developing the research plan, and beginning preliminary tasks.
- Autumn Quarter applicants whose proposals are not funded may reapply in Winter Quarter.
- Although the grant has two application cycles (Autumn and Winter) and distributes funds in two installments, the purpose of the Quad Undergraduate Research Scholars program is to support engagement in faculty-mentored research that spans an entire academic year. Autumn Quarter applicants should thus propose a research plan that extends through the Spring Quarter, while Winter Quarter applicants should summarize the activities of Autumn as well as the plan for Winter and Spring.
Additional benefits for Quad Undergraduate Research Scholars:
- Quad Scholars will benefit from annual CCRF research programming, scholar-community events and directed advising on relevant opportunities and resources.
- Institutional support through the College Center for Research and Fellowships (CCRF) for scholarly research and recognition of that work for future postgraduate endeavours, including but not limited to advanced study, professional careers in a broad array of fields, research-based grants and fellowships.
Expectations of Quad Undergraduate Research Scholars:
- All Quad Scholars and mentors may be asked to complete a quarterly research-assessment form reporting on their experience.
- All Quad Scholars will be required to present their research at the annual University of Chicago Undergraduate Research Symposium (held every May); if unable to present at the first symposium, they will be required to do so before graduation.
- For the duration of the award period, students must continue to be actively engaged as an undergraduate researcher, and remain a full-time undergraduate student in good standing with the University. Quad Scholars must spend an average of 10-13 hours per week on their research during their funded academic quarters.
- All Quad Scholars will be expected to complete a post-award survey and will be invited to submit annual alumni surveys.
The Quad Undergraduate Research Scholars Program is made possible by our generous donors including the Liew family and the Cheung family, as well as through the Dean's Fund for Undergraduate Research and the five Collegiate Divisions (Humanities, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and New Collegiate). The program is managed by the College Center for Research & Fellowships (CCRF).