Funding Overview
Did you know?
URSA is well known for offering funding opportunities to undergraduate students, but it also have numerous awards open to faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students and staff!
- In 2018, URSA awarded nearly $300,000 in funding.
- 41% of all UAF undergraduate students to participate in research during their time at UAF.
- We are always willing to help with any part of the process.
Please stop by the office, email or call. - We have a notebook of previously funded applications available in the office that
you are welcome to stop by and view.
We do not make copies or email them. - Please see our list of awards below for more details!
URSA Awards
Student project awards are for undergraduate students planning to conduct research or pursue creative projects. These awards may be used to cover: student stipend, tuition, travel (for conducting field work - pending on COVID-19 restrictions), and supplies or services.
URSA offers undergraduates at UAF 3 different Project Awards:
Fall and Spring Project Awards:
- Up to $2,500 for an individual.
- Up $5,000 for a group of two or more students.
Summer Project Awards:
- Up to $5,000 for an individual.
- Up $5,000 for a group of two or more students.
Travel funds support students presenting research or creative activity outcomes at a conference, meeting or congregation of their peers and professionals in their respective field, or to compete in a competition.
Student Travel Awards may only be used to cover travel to the event's location, lodging, perdiems, registration fees, and transportation.
Every fall, full-time UAF faculty members, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students
from all disciplines and campuses are eligible to apply for Mentor Awards of up to $5,000 for mentoring undergraduate research and scholarly learning opportunities.
Funding options include; fellowships for undergraduate students, travel for undergraduate
students, limited travel for the mentor, and supplies and/or services to help support
undergraduate research and scholarly activity initiatives.
Community Engaged Learning (CEL) Awards:
Degree-seeking UAF undergraduate students (enrolled in six or more credits), graduate students, faculty, postdoctoral researchers and staff from all disciplines and campuses are eligible to apply for awards of up to $500 to work with a community partner to explore a community need or problem through research or scholarly activity.
Funds for these awards come from a percentage of student fees.
Undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines are eligible to apply for an award of $2,500 for a research project using any collection at the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives at the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library.
The topic of the project should focus on the library’s history. A finished product could be a library exhibit, short film, a series of web publications, or other product.