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 2020 Application Deadline Extended to Friday, April 10 (11:59PM) (online application now open!)
COVID-19 Considerations:
- The April DURF application cycle will run as planned and as planned in terms of submitting applications and the committee review process. However...
- Because some summer projects may end up being impossible to conduct or may have their timelines pushed back due to travel/movement restrictions and restrictions on in-person work on campus, we will make funding recommendations based on the strength of a proposal now, and the DURF Team will work with affected applicants directly and on an on-going basis. Funds will be disbursed as soon as they can be (e.g., when the University lifts travel-related restrictions or restrictions on in-person work).
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!
Spring 2020 Drop-Ins have been canceled. We wil resume Drop-Ins in fall 2020.
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