Undergraduate Grants and Funding
Northwestern University Research Funds
LEOPOLD FELLOWSHIP
The Chabraja Center supports an undergraduate program honoring Professor Richard Leopold, a long-time member of the NU Department of History. The Leopold Fellowship program provides a small group of able Northwestern undergraduate students with an opportunity to engage in genuine historical research. The fellowship entails an hourly wage and possible travel expenses, but no academic credit. Leopold Fellows work on current faculty research projects, learning how to interpret complex archival and documentary materials.
The program is OPEN to ALL Northwestern undergraduates, irrespective of school or major.
This year, due to the pandemic, all our Leopold Fellows are working remotely, using digital archives and electronic materials.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH GRANTS
Northwestern’s Associate Provost for Academic Education administers Undergraduate Research Grants that are open to undergraduate students throughout the university. This office is the primary source for academic year and summer research grants. Additionally, the office maintains web pages with tips for applying for research grants and information regarding other research funding opportunities.
Additional information may be found here.
RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE AWARDS PROGRAM
The Residential College Awards Program provides funds for Residential College students to serve as faculty fellows’ research assistants. Please contact the Associate Director of Residential Academic Initiatives, Nancy Anderson, for further information.
Weinberg College Funding Opportunities
In addition to University-wide research funds, Weinberg College offers support to undergraduate students engaged in independent research, creative work, and presentations at academic conferences. These grants are funded by Weinberg College alumni and are restricted to WCAS students (students enrolled in other NU Schools and also completing a Weinberg major are NOT eligible to apply).
Learn more about these funding opportunities here.
WEINBERG ACADEMIC YEAR GRANTS
Awards of up to $1,000 to assist Weinberg undergraduates in pursuing original research or creative work under the close supervision of a faculty member during the academic year.
WEINBERG SUMMER GRANTS
Awards to Weinberg sophomores and juniors of a $3000 stipend to cover research and living expense for an eight-week summer period.
WEINBERG CONFERENCE TRAVEL GRANTS
Weinberg undergraduate students may apply for conference travel grants if they are presenting the results of their research or creative work at professional conferences. Weinberg partners with the Undergraduate Research Grants (URG) committee in financing conference travel costs. Students must make separate applications to WCAS and to URG.
Weinberg Designated Funds and Special Grants
KATHERINE L. KRIEGHBAUM SCHOLARSHIPS provide $4000 for senior-year research projects. Awarded by the WCAS Committee on Superior Students and Honors. Departments may nominate one candidate. One winner is chosen from each of WCAS' three dvisions. For further information, contact Associate Dean Mary Finn.
HERSKOVITS UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM provides funding for research involving the use of Northwestern’s renowned Africana collection. The fellowships are administered by Weinberg College’s undergraduate program, the Program of African Studies, and the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies. Contact the Program of African Studies at 847-491-7323 for additional information.
POSNER SUMMER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM provides summer research funds for students from underrepresented groups who are at earlier stages than students eligible for most other funding sources – typically first-year students and sophomores. For more information, contact Associate Dean Mary Finn.
LANE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES GRANTS provide funding for research on environmental issues. Applications for research during the academic year should be submitted on the Weinberg Academic Research Grant form. Applications for research during the summer should be submitted on the Weinberg Summer Research Grant form. Prior application to the URG committee is not required. Forms are submitted to Professor William Haarlow, Director of Weinberg College Undergraduate Research, with a subject line that says, “Environmental Research” and your last name.
SION ASIA-RELATED RESEARCH GRANTS provide funding for research on Asia-related topics. Applications for research during the academic year should be submitted on the Weinberg Academic Research Grant form. Applications for research during the summer should be submitted on the Weinberg Summer Research Grant form. Prior application to the URG committee is not required. Forms are submitted to Professor William Haarlow, Director of Weinberg College Undergraduate Research, with a subject line that says, “Asia Research” and your last name.
RADULOVACKI GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH GRANTS provide funding for research on global health issues. Applications for research during the academic year should be submitted on the Weinberg Academic Research Grant form. Applications for research during the summer should be submitted on the Weinberg Summer Research Grant form. Prior application to the URG committee is not required. Forms are submitted to Professor William Haarlow, Director of Weinberg College Undergraduate Research, with a subject line that says, “Global Health Research” and your last name.
Beyond Northwestern
THE OFFICE OF FELLOWSHIPS provides information and guidance for students with respect to national and international competitions.