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, over 3,000 student research projects have been awarded over $2.7 million in research scholarships. List of 2017-18 DURF recipients (PDF: 130 KB). Students apply to the College; forms and instructions are available online.
Spring 2022 Application Deadline (for all materials) is Wednesday, March 30 (5PM ET) (online applications now open!)
Spring 2022 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 that 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.
DURF Peer Advising:
Students now have the opportunity to chat with DURF Research Ambassadors, current DURF Grant recipients and active researchers, about any question related to undergraduate research or the DURF program no matter how big or small! If you're wondering how to get involved in undergraduate research, how to find a faculty mentor, how to apply for DURF funding, how to email potential mentors, or even just about what undergraduate research looks like, sign up for a quick appointment! Our Research Ambassadors will be happy to answer your questions and share their experiences with research and the DURF program.
Check the DURF Peer Advising calendar for available appointments.
Can't make any of the available hours? Feel free to email us at cas.durf@nyu.edu or submit your question/inquiry via this Form, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!
DURF Grant Workshop:
"Thinking through the Clutter: Writing a Grant Proposal"
With Professor David Ellis, EWP
Monday, November 1, 6–7:30PM (ET)
How can you articulate the complexity of your research project in just a handful of pages? How do you write for both an inside and outside reader, revealing the pointed intervention you are making within the discipline while also arguing for the broader significance of your research? This workshop, specifically focused on the CAS DURF grant, will introduce fundamental principles of writing proposals that travel across disciplines by uncovering the formal and rhetorical structures that make up the genre. We will read professional models and explore practical strategies for mapping out your research problem in context of your discipline, as well as introduce helpful free-writing strategies to get you started. Please Note: This workshop will focus specifically on NYU’s DURF Grant.
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!
Updates about Spring '22 Drop-Ins will be posted here soon!