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Funding Your Research

Can I fund my research?

Researchers at all levels encounter questions about the prospect of having their research endeavors financially supported. Therefore, it is helpful for undergraduate researchers to become familiar with funding mechanisms available to them. If you are wondering whether funding is warranted for your research, ask yourself some of the following questions:

  • Do I need some funding to purchase non-standard equipment for my undergraduate research project?
  • Do I have undergraduate research results of interest to other researchers within my discipline?
  • Does my research mentor want me to attend a discipline-specific regional or national conference to present my research in either poster or oral format?

If you said yes to one or more of these questions and your research presentation has been accepted, you may need funding for conference registration, travel, or research equipment.

Where do I begin?

Your faculty research mentor may have some funding. If not, depending on your major and your major's WVU home College (i.e., Eberly (ECAS), Statler, or Davis), you may apply for internal enrichment funding from your college or department  that can be used to offset costs (registration fees & travel-related expenses) associated with attendance and presentation of your research. Typically, students must submit an application (request, budget, and budget justification) for enrichment funding and funds are distributed on a competitive basis. In addition, you may apply for external travel funding offered by discipline-specific professional societies or by national and regional conferences. See the information and links below for more specific information.

WVU undergraduate and graduate students can access Pivot, a comprehensive source of global funding opportunities to search for fellowships, scholarships and other funding opportunities. Access to Pivot is limited to authenticated WVU users (i.e., email address ending in @mail.wvu.edu; @mix.wvu.edu; @hsc.wvu.edu). Be sure to "Sign up" and "Create a Pivot Account" with WVU as the Affiliated Member Institution.


Undergraduate Research Travel Support

The WVU Office of Undergraduate Research (UGR) offers limited travel support for WVU undergraduates to offset costs (registration fees & travel-related expenses) associated with attendance and presentation (oral or poster) of undergraduate research results at discipline-specific regional and national conferences or workshops, including NCUR (National Conference on Undergraduate Research). You can apply for travel support for any conference attended (or planned to attend) between July 1 and June 30 of the academic year. Funds will be distributed until they are exhausted.

  • You will be asked to provide:
  • Accepted abstract
  • Detailed budget
  • Letter of reference from your mentor
For additional details and instructions, see travel support request.

Additional resources for funding opportunities

At WVU:
  • Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design Undergraduate students majoring in programs within the Davis College can apply for enhancement funds to assist them in participating in activities that complement, extend, and enhance their academic experiences (e.g., faculty-led field trip, research, conference, or workshop attendance.) A realistic budget (with actual costs), cover letter, online application, and faculty recommendation are required to apply. The WVU Davis College may have some additional enrichment funding to support undergraduate researchers. Faculty advisers and students should contact the office of the Associate Dean of Academic Administration within Davis College to obtain more information.  Phone:  304-293-2395
  • Eberly College of Arts and Sciences (ECAS) Academic Enrichment Program Undergraduate students majoring in programs within the WVU Eberly College can apply for enrichment funds to assist them in participating in activities that complement, extend, and enhance their academic experiences (e.g., faculty-led field trip, research, conference, or workshop attendance.) A realistic budget (with actual costs), cover letter, online application, and faculty recommendation are required to apply. NOTE: This program is an award program applied to a student's Banner account and will only award the student (not the faculty member) for costs associated with the activity. Funding will be applied to a student's financial aid account for disbursement.
  • Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources Undergraduate students majoring in programs within the WVU Statler College and their advisers can apply for Research Trust Funds (RTF) to support their research or for travel to conferences to present their research results. Faculty mentors should contact the office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs within Statler College to obtain more information.  Phone :    304-293-4821.
  • College of Creative Arts Undergraduate students majoring in programs within the College of Creative Arts can apply for the CCA Student Travel Grant once per academic year. This grant was created to support activities that lead to professional development for full-time students who are active majors in the College of Creative Arts. Students must fill out the online application.
Professional Societies and Organizations: