Is there a creative endeavor you want to engage in, or an original research project you would like to conduct? Do you have a product you would like to develop, an early-stage entrepreneurial venture you want to initiate, or a service initiative you would like to implement? This is your chance to flex your creative muscles, innovate, and explore.
UConn undergraduate students in all majors at all campuses can apply for a UConn IDEA Grant of up to $6,000 to fund self-designed work on a topic, project, problem, artistic product or performance, or other innovative or creative idea of their choice. Students may apply individually or as part of a small group.
The UConn IDEA Grant is an opportunity for creativity, innovation, original research, and service. The project should be personally meaningful, relevant, and engaging. The project does not need to be tied to a student’s major or minor, but it should be guided by a student’s academic goals and future plans.
Eligibility
Please note that there are two application cycles.
The December 2024 application deadline is for summer 2025 funding;
the March 2025 application deadline is for 2025-26 academic year funding.
General Program Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the UConn IDEA Grant Program students must:
- Be a UConn undergraduate student in good academic standing. Eligibility is restricted to students currently pursuing a bachelor's degree at UConn. This includes students pursuing Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of General Studies, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, and Bachelor of Social Work degrees.
- Agree to participate in a non-credit online project development course (approximate time commitment 40 hours) prior to starting project work.
- Commit to a minimum of 140 hours of work on the UConn IDEA Grant project.
- Arrange appropriate project mentorship for the period of project work by a UConn faculty member or professional staff member or someone with appropriate expertise in the wider community.
- Note: Your arrangements for mentorship do not need to be finalized at the time you apply for a UConn IDEA Grant but will need to be documented and agreed upon before project work begins and any funds are disbursed.
Summer Funding Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply in December 2024 for summer 2025 funding students must:
- Plan to graduate with a bachelor's degree no earlier than December 2025.
- Agree to complete the non-credit online project development course in Spring 2025.
- Commit to a minimum of 140 hours of project work during the summer. The typical summer project is likely to be 10 weeks of 30-40 hours of work per week on the project, though part-time projects for shorter or longer periods are also possible.
- Agree to present UConn IDEA Grant-funded project findings at Frontiers in Undergraduate Research in October 2025.
Academic Year Funding Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply in March 2025 for 2025-26 academic year funding students must:
- Plan to graduate with a bachelor's degree no earlier than May 2026.
- Agree to complete the non-credit online project development course in Summer 2025.
- Commit to a minimum of 140 hours of project work during the academic year. Academic year projects should be no more than 10 hours per week.
- Agree to present their UConn IDEA Grant-funded project findings at Frontiers in Undergraduate Research in April 2026.
More information on the UConn IDEA Grant project development course and the experiences of UConn IDEA Grant recipients, can be found on the IDEA Grant Experience page. Profiles of UConn IDEA Grant recipients can be found on the Grant Recipients page.
Application Deadlines and Timelines
Application Deadlines:
Summer 2025 Funding: Friday, December 6, 2024, 11:59pm
2025-26 Academic Year Funding: Friday, March 14, 2025, 11:59pm
The UConn IDEA Grant program involves four stages of creative thinking, planning, work, and communication that take place over at least a two-semester period. There are two award cycles per academic year.
Four Stages of the UConn IDEA Grant
There is some flexibility in the timing of the stages. Schedule an appointment with IDEA Grant program coordinator Melissa Berkey to discuss how the timeline can be tailored to meet your needs and those of your project.
Information for Project Mentors
Every UConn IDEA Grant must have appropriate mentorship. The mentor should be a UConn faculty member or professional staff member with relevant and appropriate expertise.
Mentorship from someone with appropriate expertise in the wider community will be considered on an individual basis.
The form of mentorship will vary with the type of project.
- For some students, a course may be the best way to structure project mentorship: consider an independent study, research course, practicum, field experience, or internship.
- For other students, a learning contract or other agreement with the project mentor that outlines learning objectives and a plan for accomplishing those objectives may be appropriate.
(Advice on mentoring undergraduate researchers may be helpful.)
A UConn IDEA Grant involves four stages of creative thinking, planning, work, and communication that takes place over at least a two-semester period. Ideally, the student will have made arrangements for mentorship before the UConn IDEA Grant application is made. Students who have secured a mentor prior to applying are encouraged to ask their project mentor to write a letter of recommendation in support of the proposed project and mentorship arrangements.
Students who are selected for funding must complete a series of project development activities to solidify their project plans prior to the disbursement of funds. As part of the required project development activities, students must secure a project mentor and submit a completed project mentorship agreement to the Office of Undergraduate Research. Project mentors are also asked to review the student's project plans, project timeline, and budget, and provide feedback.
The UConn IDEA Grant program is an opportunity for a mentor to make a difference in an undergraduate’s university experience. With encouragement, a student who has the imagination and drive to develop a project will learn by designing and doing. Through engagement with a mentor, such a student will deepen his or her learning and have results to share with relevant audiences.
Serve as a UConn IDEA Grant Reviewer
The OUR is currently seeking faculty to serve as reviewers for the UConn IDEA Grant program. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please complete our Faculty Reviewer Interest Form.
FAQ
Does my project need to be related to my major?
The work does not need to be tied to your major or minor, but it should be related in some way to your academic goals and/or future plans.
Can students apply for funding as a group?
Students may apply individually or as part of a small group for the UConn IDEA Grant. Students applying as part of a group will need to complete the UConn IDEA Grant Group Application, and each individual group member will also need to complete the Supplemental Individual Application for Group Members.
Is there a limit to the number of group members that can be a part of the project?
Groups are limited to no more than 4 members.
If we apply as a group, can we get more than $6,000 for our project?
Groups applying for the IDEA Grant are required to submit a detailed budget outlining all expenses associated with the project proposal. Group project expenses may in some cases exceed the $6,000 limit, but all expenses will need to be clearly explained and justified in the group budget. Groups are encouraged to review all budget items carefully, and when possible, find economical ways to accomplish their goals. Groups should not expect that each member will receive $6,000 in funding; all budgets will be closely scrutinized and awards will reflect justified project expenses.
I know I want to do part of my research abroad, but haven’t decided what country I want to travel to; do I need to know this before I apply?
Yes, you do. Those students proposing international travel as part of their UConn IDEA Grant application will need to answer additional questions on how they determined that the country (or countries) to which they intend to travel is appropriate for the project, their plans for navigating language barriers (if applicable), and intended travel and living arrangements while in country.
If applying as part of a group, do I need to submit two individual letters of recommendation or can we submit two for the entire group?
Each group member is required to have two letters of recommendation that specifically reference their qualifications submitted on their behalf. If multiple group members have the same recommender, then that recommender can write one letter that specifically names and individually addresses the qualifications of each group member instead of writing separate letters. Letters of recommendation that address the group project but do not mention group members individually will not count towards meeting each group member's two letter requirement.
My recommender is unable to submit his or her letter by the application deadline – does this hurt my chances of getting a UConn IDEA Grant?
Applicants are encouraged to speak with recommenders early in the process, allowing them ample time to write and submit letters of recommendation. We understand that extenuating circumstances and busy schedules can make it difficult for recommenders to submit letters by the deadline. Applicants need to make every effort to ensure letters are submitted and their application is complete by the deadline; extensions will be evaluated on an individual basis and should be discussed with the IDEA Grants program coordinator BEFORE the application deadline. To ensure fairness to all applicants, complete applications will receive priority consideration for funding.
Can I apply for more than one IDEA Grant?
Students are limited to receiving one IDEA Grant for individual projects. If you have received IDEA Grant funds as part of a group project, you are still eligible to apply for IDEA Grant funds to support an individual project. Group project members are also eligible to receive funds to support a second group project they are participating in, though group members cannot be participating in two IDEA Grant projects concurrently.
Can I submit multiple IDEA Grant project proposals during the same application period?
No, you may not. Students are encouraged to focus their time and efforts towards the project they are most committed to working on. IDEA Grant recipients (group or individual) cannot be awarded funds to participate in two IDEA Grant projects concurrently.
Does receiving an IDEA Grant affect my eligibility for other OUR awards?
You may not receive a UConn IDEA Grant and a SURF award concurrently. If you are offered and accept a Summer 2025 UConn IDEA Grant, you are expected to contact OUR in order to withdraw your Summer 2025 SURF application from consideration.
Students considering applying for a Change Grant along with an IDEA Grant should schedule a meeting with Melissa Berkey to discuss their proposed project and how the project may align with the funding programs. Students in the BOLD program should speak with BOLD program director Emily Schwab and/or Melissa Berkey about the relationship between their proposed IDEA application and their BOLD project.
Support for project expenses through the UConn IDEA Grant may impact your eligibility for research supply, travel, and conference presentation funding. Please schedule a meeting with Melissa Berkey to discuss your individual circumstances.
Can I receive an IDEA Grant in addition to other research or project funding?
Students who have received or who are applying for additional funding (including, but not limited to IBACS summer grants, Presidential Scholars enrichment awards, Environmental and Social Sustainability Small Grants, and departmental undergraduate research/project funding) should meet with Melissa Berkey to discuss their specific situation and how funding can be maximized. IDEA Grant recipients cannot receive additional support from another funding source that would duplicate the financial support from the IDEA Grant.
Can I receive UConn IDEA Grant academic year funding to continue my summer SURF Award, UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grant, or Holster Scholars project?
Academic year projects should not simply be a continuation of the same activities planned for a summer project. The academic year project should either be completely distinct from the summer project, or should consist of the next steps in the evolution of the project. There must be a clear separation between what will be done as part of the summer project and what next steps will be completed with the IDEA Grant academic year funding.
At the time of application for UConn IDEA Grant academic year funding you may not know the outcome of your application(s) for summer funding. If your UConn IDEA Grant project proposal builds upon work you are hoping to do during the summer, and your ability to complete that summer project is contingent upon receiving funding, then you will need to explain how your IDEA Grant academic year project would change if you are not able to complete the summer project as planned.
Can I start my project work as soon as I’m awarded an IDEA Grant?
The second stage of the IDEA Grant program timeline includes a non-credit online course that IDEA Grant recipients must complete prior to beginning their IDEA Grant projects. This course provides recipients the opportunity to refine their project proposal, re-examine their budget and timeline, and prepare to begin their projects. The course also gives recipients time to finalize plans for project mentorship and obtain research approvals, if necessary. This is an important opportunity for recipients to reflect on their project proposals and ensure they are fully prepared to engage in the work prior to starting. Once the course is satisfactorily completed (typically mid-to-late April for summer projects and early-to-mid August for academic year projects) and research approvals are obtained, recipients may begin working on their projects.
If I'm awarded summer funding does that mean my project needs to be done by the end of the summer? Can I start my project early and/or continue working on it during the academic year?
The funding period (summer or academic year) represents when we expect recipients will engage in the bulk of their project work. UConn IDEA Grant projects are often part of longer-term involvement in research, creative projects or other endeavors that begin and/or end beyond the funding period. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their plans and timeline with the UConn IDEA Grant program coordinator prior to applying.
Can I apply for a UConn IDEA Grant to fund my senior project?
Projects, research, and creative activities that are part of required courses or are required elements in the curriculum for your undergraduate degree program (i.e., senior projects for BFA students or design lab for engineering students), are typically not eligible for UConn IDEA Grant funding. If there are elements of your project that go above and beyond the requirements of your required course or degree program, and if your project meets the IDEA Grant criteria of being self-designed and self-directed, then you may be eligible to receive IDEA Grant funding. Students are encouraged to meet with the IDEA Grant program coordinator to discuss their project plan and how that may fit with the UConn IDEA Grant.
Can funding be used to support my student organization?
Projects should be new or should expand upon initiatives already underway, adding new elements or enhancing current initiatives. Funding cannot be used to support the continuation of ongoing initiatives. Student organizations are encouraged to meet with program coordinator Melissa Berkey to discuss their project ideas and budgetary needs prior to applying to assure the project meets funding criteria.
Can funding be used for unpaid internships or volunteer program fees?
No. Funding is designated to support student-designed projects. Funds cannot be used to support unpaid internships or fee-based volunteer programs.
When do IDEA Grant funds get disbursed?
Funds will be disbursed to award recipients when the following criteria have been met: the non-credit online course has been satisfactorily completed; research approvals and safety trainings (IRB, IACUC, SCRO, laboratory safety training) have been granted and verification of this authorization has been submitted to OUR (if applicable); and arrangements for project mentorship have been finalized, documented, and submitted to OUR. Disbursements typically begin in mid-to-late April for summer projects and early-to-mid August for academic year projects.
Will receiving an IDEA Grant affect my financial aid?
If you are a financial aid recipient (including tuition waivers, residential assistant waivers, loans, grants, work-study employment), your financial aid package may be revised as a result of this award. If you have questions or concerns about the impact of an IDEA Grant on your financial aid, you are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Financial Aid Services to discuss how this might affect your financial aid package. A point to consider: some budgets reflect your additional expenses; ask if these expenses will increase your financial need.
Is an IDEA Grant subject to taxation?
For questions related to taxation, please refer to the UConn Tax & Compliance Office's Student Taxation page and Student Tax FAQs.
Who can I talk to if I have questions about the UConn IDEA Grant?
If you have questions about the UConn IDEA Grant program or the application process, you can schedule an appointment with program coordinator Melissa Berkey or contact her through email at melissa.berkey@uconn.edu.