CSTEM Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Fund

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How To Fund Your Academic Research

We are excited you are adding research into your EWU experience! Here are the steps to fund your work:

  1. Work with a faculty mentor. Connect with your teachers or look at the College of STEM webpages to find a faculty member of interest.
  2. Determine the full budget for your project. A line-itemized estimated budget is required for each project. 
  3. Apply for support from the Undergraduate or Graduate Research & Creative Activities Fund for any remaining needs (process below).
  4. *As of September 2025, fund applications will be submitted online, then a time to present in front of the Student Senate will be scheduled prior to approval. This is an informal practice in peer presentations and feedback. No additional preparation other than this application is needed for the presentation. An email will follow scheduling the 5-15 minute informal presentation to your fellow students.
  5. Research applications are brought to the College of STEM Student Senate, who meets twice a month during the academic year.

4. Once funding is requested and secured from your department AND the college, the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs offers a limited number of travel awards annually for undergraduate students who will present at conferences and other types of professional workshops. 

CSTEM Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Fund

The CSTEM Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Fund provides up to $1,000 per project for students to be supported in a faculty-mentored research or creative experience. The program is funded by donors, with the goal to provide research support across all majors in the College of STEM. The program seeks to aid students in the process of designing, implementing, analyzing, and presenting research and creative works. Possible outcomes of such projects include articles, posters, presentations, talks, and juried exhibitions. Travel funds are preferred for those students presenting their work over general attendance to a conference.

Please note this funding source comes from a Foundation account and needs at least 60 business days to provide advanced funding. Typical awards are in the form of reimbursement of departmental (if any) or personal funding. Each proposal is also voted on by the CSTEM Student Senate, who may reach a decision in the next week to four weeks.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Janae Carrothers

CSTEM Student Services Administrator

email: jcarrothers@ewu.edu

Office: Computing and Engineering Building (CEB) 319A

Eligibility & Requirements

  • Enrollment: Applicants must be undergraduate students pursuing a degree in a College of STEM major, enrolled at least half-time, in good academic standing, and engaged in a College of STEM research project. The funds must be used while the student is in undergraduate status.
  • Award Frequency: Students may only receive one award each academic year from the CSTEM Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Fund.
  • Collaborative Projects: For collaborative projects with multiple students, we will accept one submission per project.
  • Research Mentors: College of STEM faculty mentors are required for all applicants.
  • Final Report: A one-page final report is required from all funded students. The report is due one month after project completion. Students may submit a thesis or other capstone presentation instead of the one-page report.
  • EWU Student Research and Creative Works Symposium: Awardees are expected to present their project at the EWU Student Research and Creative Works Symposium in May, or at another professional venue.

Application Materials

Information applicants will need to provide includes:

  • Research mentor’s EWU email address
  • Names, Student ID Numbers, and EWU email addresses of any student collaborators on the project
  • A brief (250-500 words) description of what you are using the funds for. This description needs to include:
    • a statement of the problem and / or objective of the project
    • description of what you are requesting – examples include lab supplies, a specific event (spell out all acronyms), conference travel, paper submission costs, ect
  • Project timeline (100 words or less)
  • Itemized budget (not to exceed $1,000) that includes a brief justification in the description for each item. A budget template with a sample request is provided in the application webform. The budget may include support for:
    • Project supplies and equipment (excluding “small and attractive” items) – Describe the supplies needed and budgeted amount.
    • Field work travel – Field work expenses may be reimbursed and must follow university travel procedures.
    • Conference travel – To be a presenter or co-author on a talk, poster, or other conference presentation or juried exhibition. Reimbursement for conference fees and travel must follow university travel procedures.

Application Process

Undergraduate Student Application

Graduate Student Application

 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling timeline as the CSTEM Student Senate meets throughout the academic year (September through June).

  • Fall Application timeline: 
    • For reimbursement on events, travel, and equipment from the previous academic year, applications will be received until Oct 31, 2024. You can also submit an application to plan ahead for funding for an upcoming year.
    • Please note this funding source comes from a Foundation account and needs at least 60 business days to provide advanced funding. Typical awards are in the form of reimbursement of departmental (if any) or personal funding.
    • Applications will be reviewed and people notified within two weeks of funding decisions and next steps.
  • Winter Application timeline: 
    • For reimbursement on events, travel, and equipment from the previous academic year, applications will be received until January 23, 2026. You can also submit an application to plan ahead for funding for an upcoming year.
    • Please note this funding source comes from a Foundation account and needs at least 60 business days to provide advanced funding. Typical awards are in the form of reimbursement of departmental (if any) or personal funding.
    • Applications will be reviewed and people notified within two weeks of funding decisions and next steps
  • Spring Application timeline: 
    • For reimbursement on events, travel, and equipment from the previous academic year, applications will be received until May 28, 2026. You can also submit an application to plan ahead for funding for an upcoming year.
    • Please note this funding source comes from a Foundation account and needs at least 60 business days to provide advanced funding. Typical awards are in the form of reimbursement of departmental (if any) or personal funding.
    • Applications will be reviewed and people notified within two weeks of funding decisions and next steps.