Overview of URSA Grants

Type of Grants

URSA Grants offer three types of funding to support undergraduate research, Project Grants, Travel and Impact Grants, and Faculty IMPACT Grants.

Please note: The types of URSA Grants being offered in 2025-2026 have been slightly revised from prior years. The Faculty ALURE grants have been renamed Faculty Impact Grants. Please read on for more details.

1. Project Grants

(Students apply with a faculty member's support.)

Supplies and Materials: For independent research projects not already supported by a faculty mentor's grant or departmental funds.
Wages: URSA Grants do not typically fund student wages directly, however, in some cases, when a student qualifies for Federal Work Study, proposals to fund student wages will be considered.
Discovery and Training: For example, travel to conduct archival or field research, attend training that enhances project objectives, incentives for survey participants, etc.
- Please note that travel costs associated with presenting research at conferences is funded by Travel and Impact Grants, not by Project Grants.

Application Cycle
URSA Project Grants have three application windows based on the fiscal year (June 1-May 31)

Priority Deadline: March 1st: For projects beginning as early as June 1 and ending no later than May 31 the following year. Applying for the Priority Deadline offers the best chance for funding.
Emerging Project Deadline 1: July 1st: (as funding allows)- for projects beginning in August through the following May 31.
Emerging Project Deadline 2: October 1st: (as funding allows)- for projects beginning in January through the following May 31.

2. Travel and Impact Grants

(Students apply with a faculty member's support.)

Travel: Costs associated with presenting research findings at conferences. For example, travel to and from conference, hotel, meals, and registration.
- Note: In the interest of fairness, faculty mentors are ask to only recommend 1-2 students per conference and to request departmental funding when available. (Please consider a Faculty Impact Grant if you are teaching a research course and planning to take your entire class.)
- Travel expenses are reimbursed through Student Financial Services after travel occurs.
- Students should contact BaylorOne Stop to set up a Direct Deposit account.
Impact: Costs associated with translation or implementation of the research. For example, working with a community partner to implement an intervention that resulted from research findings.

Application Cycle

Submit your applications at least 30 days in advance. Grants will be reviewed the 1st week of each month.
Funding is available on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated.

3. Faculty Impact Grants

(Faculty apply for larger group or class projects)

Faculty Impact Grants are further described on the Faculty Pages for funding.

Purpose, Priority, and Budgets

URSA Grants embrace a broad definition of research that includes scholarly, scientific, creative, and community-based inquiry.
URSA Grants prioritize impact and equity across disciplines and support students whose research reflects Baylor’s mission of academic excellence, service, and global impact.
Applications are welcome from all majors and disciplines, including the sciences, humanities, arts, and professional fields.
URSA Project Grants can be proposed up to a maximum of $5,000 for a full-year grant and $2,500 for 1 semester.
- The funded amount is typically less than this and is based on the precise scope and needs of the project.
URSA Travel and Impact Grants are normally capped at $500, but in select cases, additional funding may be considered with strong justification and demonstrated impact.
- Travel awards are dispersed after the event, as reimbursements.
Successful applications will have clear budget justifications and describe the impact of their project.
Please submit your applications for Travel and Impact grants at least 30 days in advance of your travel plans.
Faculty Impact Grants are further described on the Faculty Pages for funding.

For any questions please contact URSA@baylor.edu