Since research often requires financial support, the Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund was created in 1996 to assist students in funding their projects. A committee of faculty reviews all DURF applications. Applicants can receive up to $1,000 per grant for a Research Grant (Individual or Team) or Conference Grant and up to $500 for a FAST. Applicants must be current first-years, second-years, juniors, or first-term seniors in the College of Arts and Science. A DURF grant may be used to support the purchase or rental of necessary equipment, travel to conferences or collections, or any other reasonable and justified expense (including income lost because of reduced hours at a current or continued place of employment). DURF grants may be expended during the fall, spring, or summer terms.
Fall 2021 COVID-19 Considerations:
Projects not in line with the following guidelines will either not be funded or will not be funded until research protocols have been accordingly revised.
When conducting research, students must adhere to NYU health and safety guidelines regarding mask/face coverings and physical distancing even when conducting research off campus. Students should also be aware of any local health and safety protocols. Where there are differences between those and NYU's guideline's, student should adhere to the more restrictive policies.
- In-person research is allowed (in labs and/or with participants in the field):
- Students must work closely with their project mentors to ensure their own and participants' health and safety are prioritized and that protocols align with health and safety guidelines;
- As always, students working with human subjects should consult NYU's IRB policies and apply for IRB approval as necessary
- Travel funding:
- Domestic is eligible for funding at this time;
- International travel will only be funded for countries rated "Level 1" or "Level 2" by the US Dept. of State. International travel to "Level 3" or "Level 4" countries will not be funded:
- Students already studying in a "Level 3" or "Level 4" country through an NYU study away or Go Local program may apply for funding within their country of study (e.g., a student studying at NYU Paris could apply for funds to travel to Lyon);
- Students must also be aware of and comply with any related, local travel restrictions (e.g., showing proof of vaccination, quarantine policies, proof of negative test) and make any and all necessary preparations or reconsider travel plans;
- Any student traveling is strongly encouraged to register their trip with NYU Traveler;
- Please note the CDC does not recommend domestic or international travel until/unless you are fully vaccinated.
Due to the ongoing public health uncertainties and ever-changing nature of health and safety guidelines, please be advised that these policies may change to reflect updates in those guidelines.
Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with their project mentors to determine the scope and appropriateness of their projects.
Applications can be submitted for (see below for application deadlines):
- Individual Research Grants which are open to all students including freshmen and sophomores who have developed the skills to undertake an independent research project (apply for an Individual Research Grant).
- Team Research Grants designed for projects in which the individual strengths of the collaborating team members are essential for attaining the project’s goals (apply for a Team Research Grant).
- First- and Second-Year Training (FAST) Grants that are specifically designed for freshmen and sophomores to provide funds needed to learn fundamental research skills (apply for a FAST Grant). Please note students may not apply for both a FAST and Research Grant for the same project.
- Conference Grants for students to attend national or international meetings to present their work (apply for a Conference Grant).
All applications require a project proposal, a proposed budget, and an assessment completed by the mentor. The entire proposal must be submitted online. Please click on the links above to access individual applications which detail specific requirements. For advice on writing an effective proposal, reaching out to mentors, or any other concerns related to the DURF, please contact 212-998-8140.
Students are encouraged to pursue their own independent research projects. However, projects that are offshoots of ongoing faculty research will also be considered for funding. If a project emerges from topics examined in a course, the research for which a DURF is awarded must not fulfill regular course or seminar requirements, but rather involve directed research, honors thesis, independent study, internship, or some similar course of study.
All grant recipients are required to participate in the spring CAS Undergraduate Research Conference (for which a separate application must be submitted). In accepting a grant, the student also gives the College permission to publish the abstract online and in print in Inquiry, the College’s undergraduate research journal, and to share information with the donor of the particular research grant. Recipients must submit a Grant Report to the Dean’s Office by the end of the semester after they receive their award (i.e., students receiving a grant in November must submit a Report by the end of the following spring semester).
Deadlines for the DURF application for the 2021–2022 academic year:
Fall 2021
- Application Deadline (all materials including mentor assessment): Wednesday, November 3 (11:59PM ET)
- All selection committee meetings (Humanities, Social Science, STEM) take place the third week of November
Spring 2022
- Application Deadline (all materials including mentor assessment): Wednesday, March 30 (11:59PM ET)
- All selection committee meetings (Humanities, Social Science, STEM) take place the third week of April
(Conference Grant applications are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis.)
If you have any questions, please contact the Assistant Dean for Students, Joel Ward at 212-998-8140 or email cas.durf@nyu.edu