The strongest UConn IDEA Grant applications will show a thorough understanding of the self-designed project that is proposed. Get started by reading the information below on preparing a successful application.
Plan to spend time working through your project proposal, budget and timeline on your own and in conversation with faculty mentors and advisors. OUR Advisors are also available to assist you with preparing your application materials.
Applicants are encouraged to schedule an appointment with IDEA Grant program coordinator Melissa Berkey (choose any available appointment) or contact her through email at melissa.berkey@uconn.edu to discuss the application.
Applications are closed. Please check back in Fall 2026.
Individual Application
Apply Online
Applications for 2026-27 academic year funding are closed. Please check back in fall 2026.
Application Outline
The PDF below provides you with an outline of the questions you will be asked in the online IDEA Grant Application. Use the outline to prepare your answers before you begin completing the online application. Please note there are separate PDFs for individual applicants and for group applications.
- Please check back in fall 2026 for an updated application outline
Students, please be aware that the final question on the application will ask you to certify that you have prepared your application materials in accordance with university standards for academic integrity. You can learn more about academic integrity at www.ugradresearch.uconn.edu/academic-integrity/.
Application Deadlines:
Summer 2027 Funding: Friday, December 11, 2026, 11:59pm
2027-28 Academic Year Funding: Friday, March 12, 2027, 11:59pm
Group Application
Group Online Application
Applications for 2026-27 academic year funding are closed. Please check back in fall 2026.
Application Outline
The PDF below provides you with an outline of the questions you will be asked in the online IDEA Grant Application. Use the outline to prepare your answers before you begin completing the online application. Please note there are separate PDFs for individual applicants and for group applications.
- Please check back in fall 2026 for an updated application outline
Students, please be aware that the final question on the application will ask you to certify that you have prepared your application materials in accordance with university standards for academic integrity. You can learn more about academic integrity at www.ugradresearch.uconn.edu/academic-integrity/.
Application Deadlines:
Summer 2027 Funding: Friday, December 11, 2026, 11:59pm
2027-28 Academic Year Funding: Friday, March 12, 2027, 11:59pm
Successful Proposal Writing
Successful IDEA Grant proposals take time, revision, and thoughtful planning. The most competitive applications clearly communicate not only what the project is, but why it matters and how the applicant will accomplish it. Use the guidance below as you begin drafting your proposal.
Start Early and Revise Often
Strong proposals are not written in one sitting. Begin drafting well before the deadline to give yourself time to:
- Revise, edit, and refine your writing
- Clarify your project goals
- Strengthen your methods and feasibility
- Seek feedback from faculty mentors, advisors, IDEA staff, and writing tutors
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the IDEA Grant scoring rubrics, which outline the criteria reviewers use when evaluating proposals.
What Reviewers Look For
Competitive IDEA Grant proposals typically:
- Provide a Clear, Detailed Project Plan: Explain your project goals and objectives and describe the steps you will take to achieve them. Reviewers should be able to easily follow your plan from start to finish.
- Present a Feasible and Realistic Scope: Your timeline, activities, and methods should match the timeframe, resources, and your current skill level.
- Are Written Clearly for Non‑Specialists: Avoid jargon. Assume reviewers may not have technical expertise in your field. Your goal is clarity, accessibility, and strong storytelling.
- Explain How the Project Originated: Describe the experiences, questions, coursework, or personal motivations that inspired your project idea.
- Demonstrate Originality and Impact: Explain how your project will make a meaningful contribution—to a field of study, a creative practice, a community, or another context.
- Identify Audiences and Dissemination Plans: Who will benefit from your work? How will you share your results, creative products, or performances?
- Exhibit Strong Writing Quality: Proposals should be concise, well‑organized, free of spelling and grammatical errors, and within page limits.
- Follow All Application Instructions Carefully: Adhering to instructions signals professionalism and attention to detail.
Before You Write: Brainstorm These Core Questions
Your answers to the following will help you develop compelling proposal content:
- Why am I proposing this project? What questions, issues, or problems am I exploring?
- What are my goals, and how will I accomplish them? What do I hope to learn, create, or achieve?
- Why is this project important to me? What do I gain personally, academically, or professionally?
- What steps will I need to take to complete the project? How will each step be carried out?
- Is my topic too broad or too narrow? Can I realistically complete this work within the IDEA Grant timeframe?
Use your responses to begin building strong, thoughtful answers to the prompts in the online application.
Writing Style and Voice
Write in the first person. Reviewers want to hear your voice and understand what you plan to do and what responsibilities you will take on
If others assist you in specific tasks, acknowledge that—but clearly distinguish your role from theirs.
Seek Feedback from Multiple Sources
Receiving feedback is a crucial part of the proposal-writing process. You are encouraged to:
- Meet with the IDEA Grant program coordinator
- Consult your faculty mentor and academic advisors
- Work with a Writing Center tutor
- Ask others you trust to read your draft
Feedback strengthens your clarity, organization, and overall persuasiveness.
Academic Integrity
Please be aware that the final question on the application will ask you to certify that you have prepared your application materials in accordance with University standards for academic integrity. You can learn more about academic integrity at www.ugradresearch.uconn.edu/academic-integrity/.
Reading and Background Research
Every IDEA Grant project is unique. The structure and information provided in the reading and background research section of the application will vary by project type.
Use the prompts below to tailor your content to fit the type of project you are proposing. For additional guidance on what to include in this section, please schedule an appointment with IDEA Grant program coordinator Melissa Berkey through Nexus or email (melissa.berkey@uconn.edu).
Research Projects: Discuss and reference foundational literature you’ve reviewed that informs your research question(s), objectives, and methods, and demonstrates your understanding of the research topic.
Creative and Artistic Projects: Discuss your artistic influences, and/or discuss research you've done on artistic endeavors, performances or films that address topics similar to your focus. Describe how your work differs from what has been done or what is currently being done.
Service-Oriented Projects: Describe information you've gathered to determine the needs of the population or community your project intends to serve. Discuss the services already offered and/or organizations that are serving your target population or community, and how your initiative will fill the needs not currently being met by existing programs or organizations.
Early-Stage Entrepreneurial Projects and Prototype Development: Describe how you've evaluated the need your proposed product or service will address, the market for such a product or service, and/or the viability of your prototype idea. Discuss similar products or services that have been developed and/or are currently available to consumers, and how your product will differentiate itself from the competition.
Qualifications and Personal Statement
The Qualifications section is your opportunity to explain how your background and past experiences have prepared you for your proposed project. Use this space to highlight the skills, knowledge, and perspectives you bring to your work.
Consider a broad range of experiences, such as coursework, research, jobs or internships, volunteer work, creative projects, and other relevant activities. Rather than simply listing what you’ve done, focus on what you learned from these experiences, why they were meaningful, and how they helped you develop skills that will support your project. Help the review committee understand how your preparation connects directly to the work you are proposing.
The Personal Statement allows you to describe your motivation and interest in the project. Use this section to explain why the project matters to you, what you hope to gain from the experience, and how it connects to your academic goals, personal interests, or future plans. Strong personal statements clearly show how the project fits into your broader path and how completing it will contribute to your personal and professional growth.
Preparing a Budget
A thoughtful, well‑prepared budget is a core component of a successful UConn IDEA Grant application. It shows reviewers that you have a clear plan, understand what your project requires, and can responsibly manage funding.
Carefully and thoughtfully planning your expenses demonstrates to the selection committee that you are taking your project and your application seriously. Careful planning will also help ensure you will have enough funds to complete your project, minimizing the risk of coming up short.
Before applying, review the UConn IDEA Grant Budget Preparation website for additional guidelines on developing a budget. In addition, we recommend using the IDEA Grant Budget Template (Coming Soon), and the IDEA Grant Budget Examples (Coming Soon) to assist you with developing your project budget.
General Guidance on Budget Planning
Start by mapping out your entire project. Making note of supplies, materials, and expenses associated with each step. Your budget should focus on expenses directly associated with carrying out the project. Use reasonable, up‑to‑date price estimates, and document how you determined each amount. You may need to consult your faculty mentor for supplies and consumables associated with research projects to determine estimated costs.
The IDEA Grant funding is not a scholarship. Funding cannot be directly applied to course tuition, fees, and expenses, such as on-campus room and meal plans or general cost-of-living expenses unrelated to the project. You may request a stipend, which is different from tuition support. A stipend is intended to defray the costs of spending significant time on your project. Stipends allow students who would be unable to participate without support the means to be part of the program and engage in meaningful project work.
Although IDEA Grant recipients can refine budgets after selection, your application should be as accurate and realistic as possible. A well‑constructed budget strengthens the credibility and feasibility of your entire project proposal.
There are limitations to how the funding can be used. Not all purchases and expenses are allowable. Please review the UConn IDEA Grant Budget Preparation website for additional guidelines.
Students are encouraged to speak with the IDEA Grant program coordinator about their budget and intended expenses to assure there are no conflicts and that proposed expenses fall within the program funding parameters. Appointments can be scheduled with Melissa Berkey through Nexus or email (melissa.berkey@uconn.edu).
Preparing a Timeline
Your project timeline should clearly outline when your project will begin and end, identify key milestones, and estimate the number of hours needed to complete each stage. The timeline should be realistic, detailed, and show that your proposed work is feasible. During the IDEA Grant development phase, you will refine this timeline in collaboration with your project mentor.
When creating your timeline, start by identifying your final project outcome, then work backward to determine the major steps needed to achieve it. Break these steps into smaller, manageable tasks and estimate how long each will take, keeping your other commitments in mind. Use these tasks to establish clear milestones, and be sure to include regular check-ins with your mentor.
As you develop your timeline, you may find that the project requires more time than you initially expected—this is a normal part of the planning process. If so, consult with your faculty mentor or an OUR Advisor to revise your timeline or adjust your project scope so that it remains achievable.
Timeline Examples and Templates
You may use IDEA Grant timeline templates (Template 1, Template 2, Template 3—updated versions coming soon) to help organize your plan. Using these templates is optional; you may structure your timeline in whatever format works best for your project.
Sample timelines (coming soon) will provide examples of how other students have structured their projects.
Time Commitment Expectations
- Summer funding: Students are encouraged to devote significant time to their projects. A near full-time schedule is ideal, though part-time plans are also acceptable.
- Academic year funding: Plan your project around your coursework and other responsibilities. Work on your project should not exceed 10 hours per week while classes are in session. The IDEA Grant is intended to enhance your academic experience—not detract from it.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required as part of your UConn IDEA Grant application:
- First letter: Must come from a UConn faculty member, advisor, instructor, or professional staff member.
- Second letter: May be from a UConn community member (faculty, advisor, instructor, or professional staff member) or from another source, such as a faculty or staff member at another university, a high school teacher, a current or former employer or supervisor, or a community mentor.
Please note: Letters from high school teachers are only accepted for students in their first or second year of study. Letters from fellow undergraduate students or family members will not be accepted.
If you have already secured a project mentor, you are strongly encouraged to ask them to write one of your letters. This letter should also confirm their willingness to mentor your proposed project.
Group Applications
Each group member must submit two letters of recommendation that specifically address their individual qualifications and preparedness for the proposed project.
If multiple group members share the same recommender, a single letter may be written that clearly identifies and evaluates each individual student. In this case, the recommender may either upload the letter separately for each applicant or email it to Melissa Berkey (melissa.berkey@uconn.edu).
Letters that discuss the group project without addressing individual members will not count toward the two-letter requirement for each applicant.
Deadlines for Submission
- Summer 2027 Funding: Friday, December 11, 2026, 11:59pm
- 2027-28 Academic Year Funding: Friday, March 12, 2027, 11:59pm
You will request letters of recommendation through the Quest Portal online application system by entering the names and email addresses of your recommenders who have agreed to write on your behalf. The system will then send each recommender an individual link to submit their letter.
Recommenders must use the link provided in their email to upload their letter of recommendation. All letters must be submitted online by the application deadline.
We strongly encourage you to begin your application and request your recommendations well in advance of the deadline to allow your recommenders sufficient time to submit their letters.
Supplemental Materials
The UConn IDEA Grant application includes an optional supplemental materials section where you may upload additional content to strengthen your proposal. While not required, this section allows you to provide information or visuals that help reviewers better understand your project and your readiness to complete it.
Include supplemental materials only if they are relevant and add meaningful context that cannot be fully explained in the main application. Appropriate examples include:
- Charts, figures, or graphics that illustrate key aspects of your project
- Sample lesson plans or educational materials
- Preliminary designs, schematics, drawings, or prototypes
- Video demonstrations of early project work
- Audio recordings of performances or original compositions
- Art portfolios demonstrating relevant skills
- Links to videos hosted on platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo
- Draft surveys, interview guides, or focus group instruments
You may upload up to five files. For larger items (such as videos), we recommend providing a link to an external site. When including a link, be sure to briefly explain what reviewers will see and why it is relevant.
Criteria for Review and Selection
UConn IDEA Grant applications will be reviewed and evaluated by faculty and professional staff with relevant expertise who assess the merits of the proposal and overall application potential.
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Propose creative, innovative, original ideas and a realistic plan for carrying out the proposed project
- Clearly articulate the origins of the project and that the project is of their own design
- Present a thoughtful and reasonable outline of the work to be done, a feasible timeline, and a reasonable and justified budget
- Articulate the impact of the work proposed — both for them as individual learners and for the field — in compelling, but realistic, terms
- Design project outcomes (products, outputs, reports, presentations, or performances) that will engage or serve an audience that is large or significant
- Plan to share the results of their UConn IDEA Grant with one or more audiences
- Have a strong academic record or other evidence of successful pursuit of their academic passions or interests
- Explain the significance of the project in furthering their academic goals, future career plans, or personal goals
- Have identified at least one willing mentor to guide their work
- Would be unable to pursue the work proposed without the funding provided by the UConn IDEA Grant
The review committee uses the Scoring Rubric for Individual Proposals and the Scoring Rubric for Group Applications to assess UConn IDEA Grant applications. Applicants are encouraged to review the appropriate rubric as they draft and revise their application materials to ensure that they meet the criteria associated with strong proposals.
International Travel
Students proposing international travel as part of their IDEA Grant project must show that they have begun planning for the logistical and practical challenges of conducting research or creative work abroad. While these plans can be refined during the project development phase, reviewers will expect evidence that applicants have already considered essential factors such as travel logistics, safety, feasibility, and on‑site research requirements. Demonstrating early preparation strengthens the overall viability of the project.
Applicants planning to travel outside the United States will be required to answer additional application questions specifically related to their international travel plans. These questions are outlined in the UConn IDEA Grant Application materials, available through the Individual Application and Group Application sections.
Travel Restrictions
The UConn IDEA Grant will not support travel to any country with a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or Travel Alert except pursuant to a waiver approved by the Provost's Office.
For more information on the waiver process, please review the following University travel policies.