Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Awards

Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) awards provide funds to support faculty-mentored research and creative projects undertaken by undergraduate students. Applications consist of a summary of the work to be completed and a budget. Budgets can include funds to pay for supplies and materials to support the project, travel to the site of the project and a stipend for the student.

Application reviews are carried out by faculty who specialize in the four URCA content areas:

• Biomedical Science – Any science that applies principles of the natural sciences (life or physical) to medicine or health
• STEM – science*, technology, engineering, and mathematics
  *Any science that does not apply principles of the natural sciences (life or physical) to medicine or health
• Social Science
• Arts and Humanities

Applications are submitted and reviewed through Smartsheet.

URCA Application Materials

• Application Instructions (PDF)
• Online Application (Smartsheet)
• Information session for students and mentors (YouTube)

Upcoming Dates

• Fall 2024 application deadline: Friday, September 27, 5PM (EDT)
• Spring 2025 application deadline: Friday, January 24, 5PM (EDT)

Additional Information

• Funded Application Examples
  View examples of funded applications in all four content areas:
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)
  • Social Sciences
  • Arts and Humanities

• Frequently Asked Questions
  • Students (PDF)
  • Mentors and Project Administrators (PDF)

URCA Reporting

Final Reports

• Complete this form for URCA final reporting (Smartsheet)

Past URCA Awardees