Providing students with opportunities to be involved in independent inquiry is central to the mission of our research University. We aim not just to convey knowledge but to produce it and to teach others how to learn throughout their lives.
Through the generosity of parents, alumni, and friends of the College, an endowed Fund provides grants to assist a student's own research, whether to help with the gathering of data and information, or in the presentation of the results at an academic conference. Selection by a faculty committee is competitive. Since 1996, nearly 3,000 student research projects have been awarded over 2.4 million in research scholarships. For the list of 2015-16 DURF recipients please click here. Students apply to the College; forms and instructions are available online.
Dean's Undergraduate Research Fund (DURF)
Application Deadlines for 2017-2018:
Friday, November 3, by 11:59pm
Friday, March 30, by 11:59pm
Information Sessions:
A series of DURF information sessions will be held in advance of each DURF application deadline. These sessions will focus on grant writing strategies, working with a faculty mentor, designing a successful research project, and other tips to help you submit a winning proposal. Session dates and times TBD:
Discipline-Specific Sessions Information Sessions:
In conjunction with the Preprofessional Advising Center, we’re excited to offer three discipline-specific (STEM, Humanities and Social Sciences) information sessions entitled “Research Roundtable: Exploring the Value and Inner-Workings of Research Projects at NYU.” These sessions will focus not only on the short- and long-term academic and professional value of undergraduate research but also on some of the nuts and bolts of finding and funding research opportunities.
Each session will feature current undergraduate researchers as well as a faculty member in order to provide a variety of insights and perspectives. We will discuss ways to obtain and excel in research experiences, and how undergraduate research can prepare you for graduate or professional education. These sessions will be great ways to learn more about research itself, network with peers interested in research and meet faculty!
This series of sessions will be held every spring semester. We will announce the days, times, and participants soon!
DURF Drop-Ins:
In order to provide more support to DURF applicants, we are pleased to offer a series of Drop-In sessions where applicants can receive feedback and suggestions for improving their DURF proposal. Staff from the NYU Writing Center as well as peer undergraduate researchers will be on hand to answer questions and provide feedback. Whether this is your first time submitting a DURF proposal, you just have a few questions, or you’d like another perspective, you can benefit from the Drop-In sessions. No appointment necessary! Just stop by and drop in!
Note: Fall Drop-In dates/times TBD.
Dean's Undergraduate Research Funds for Global Initiatives
CAS is proud to recognize outstanding student work on topics of global relevance through the following named Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund grants. These and other named DURF grants are awarded to DURF applicants based on the exceptional quality of their project as described in their DURF proposal. All DURF applicants working on relevant topics are automatically considered for these honors. No separate application is needed:
Robert A. Fowkes Research Scholarship — recognizing outstanding student research on European culture (or at a European NYU academic center)
Arthur Frommer Research Scholarship for Travel and Global Studies — recognizing outstanding student research in the field of international travel, or research involving multidisciplinary international study at a Global NYU Center
June Schlesinger Katz International Research Scholarship — recognizing outstanding student research on a foreign culture or nation
S. Okamura Research Scholarship — recognizing outstanding student research on East Asian culture or history
Drs. Mayank and Amita Patel Research Scholarship — recognizing outstanding student research on South Asian culture, with a focus on religious studies
Herman J. Wechsler Award for Study and Travel in the Fine Arts — recognizing outstanding student research on European fine art or art history by a student who will study or has studied at one of NYU's European academic sites