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Research Funding Opportunities 

NHS Student Research Fund and CAP Research Awards

  • NHS Graduate Student Research Grants

    In spring 2006, the College of Natural and Health Sciences (NHS) established a new Foundation account entitled the NHS Student Research Fund. Supported through donations by faculty, staff, and friends of the College, the Student Research Fund generates funds to support research and research-related travel by the College’s students.  

    Graduate Students:  Funding is available through the NHS Student Research Fund Foundation account supported through donations by faculty, staff, and friends of the College. A total pool of $7,500 is expected to be made available in the 2023-2024 academic year. Individual proposals may request up to $500.  

    Timeline for Spending Awards 

    Funds awarded in the fall semester must be spent by May 1, 2024. 

    Funds awarded in the spring semester must be spent by June 1, 2024. 

    Proposal Submission Deadline 

    Two rounds of funding will take place in the 2022-2023 academic year. To be reviewed, completed electronic applications must be received by 5:00pm on the following: 

    • October 16, 2023 for the fall semester competition 
    • January 29, 2024 for the spring semester competition 
    • Students must submit their application via email (including faculty support letter) to the NHS Associate Dean's for Research and Faculty Affairs (kim.murza@unco.edu) by the stated deadline. Use the subject line Student Research Fund Application. If faculty have concerns regarding support letter, please contact NHS Dean's Office. 

    Download Application

  • Phelps Family NHS CAP Undergraduate Research Grants

    Funding is available through the Phelps Family NHS CAP Undergraduate Student Research Grant Program. A total pool of $15,000 is expected to be made available in the 2023-2024 academic year. Individual proposals may request up to $500. 

    The Phelps Family NHS CAP Student Research Awards were created by the Phelps Family CAP Trust. These Awards support undergraduate research in the College of Natural and Health Sciences.

    Additionally, through these CAP Student Research Grants and Awards, the Donors also desire to share an understanding of three (3) “CAP” values and behaviors whichthe Donors believe are among the foundation pillars for building and living meaningful lives:

    • Contribute…by volunteering time and personal skills, talents, abilities, experience and passion around issues in service to the community;
    • Achieve…by displaying a bias toward action and performance (including academically), self-reliance, persevering, and overcoming obstacles to accomplishing goals;
    • Pay-it-forward…by impacting the lives of others in meaningful and positive ways to them through small or large, random or planned, acts of kindness, caring, and “giving back.”

    Proposal Submission Deadline 

    • Students must submit their application via email (including faculty support letter) to the NHS Associate Dean's for Research and Faculty Affairs (kim.murza@unco.edu) by the stated deadline. Use the subject line Student Research Fund Application. If faculty have concerns regarding support letter, please contact NHS Dean's Office. 

    Three rounds of funding will take place in the 2023-2024 academic year.  To be reviewed, completed electronic applications must be received by 5:00pm on the following: 

    • October 13, 2023 for the fall semester competition 
    • January 26, 2024 for the spring semester competition 
    • April 5, 2024 for the summer semester competition
      • Students must submit their application via email (including faculty support letter) to the NHS Associate Dean's for Research and Faculty Affairs (kim.murza@unco.edu) by the stated deadline. Use the subject line Student Research Fund Application. If faculty have concerns regarding support letter, please contact NHS Dean's Office. 

    Download Application

  • Phelps Family NHS Undergraduate CAP Research Awards

    The Phelps Family NHS Student Research Contribute, Achieve, Pay-It-Forward (CAP) Awards are competitive $5,000 scholarships intended to enhance the academic experience and success of undergraduate students in the College of Natural and Health Sciences at UNC through engagement in a research project that is guided by faculty. The CAP Awards are intended to recognize exemplary undergraduate student research by those students who promote CAP values and behaviors. CAP values and behaviors include: Contributing to one’s community; Achieving one’s goals through perseverance and overcoming obstacles; and Paying-it-forward by impacting the lives of others in meaningful and positive ways through small and large, random and planned acts of kindness, caring and giving back. Up to 3 Undergraduate CAP Research Awards may be granted annually to individuals or teams. CAP Team Research Awards are shared equally by team members.

    Applications are accepted one time per year and are due March 20, 2024 by 5:00 pm

    Download Application Information