In light of current budget constraints, the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) has implemented an update to the OUR Supplemental Awards program beginning in Summer 2026.

To ensure that funding for research supplies and conference presentations can be distributed as broadly as possible, undergraduate students will be limited to a maximum of two OUR Conference Presentation Awards and/or Research Travel Awards, and one OUR Supply Award during their academic career.

Additionally, only two Supply Awards may be granted per research group per academic year.

We appreciate your understanding as we work to support access to research opportunities for a wide range of students.

I received two Conference Presentation Awards before the new policy was implemented. Am I eligible to receive another OUR Conference Presentation Award?
I’ve received one Conference Presentation Award and one Research Travel Award. Can I apply for another travel award?
Two students in my research group have already received OUR Supply Awards for different projects. Am I still eligible to receive an OUR Supply Award for my project?
What other funding resources can I apply for to support conference travel or research supplies if I am not eligible for an OUR Supplemental Award?

I received two Conference Presentation Awards before the new policy was implemented. Am I eligible to receive another OUR Conference Presentation Award?

No. Due to current budget limitations, students who have already received two OUR Conference Presentation Awards are not eligible for additional funding, even if those awards were received prior to the implementation of the new policy.

I’ve received one Conference Presentation Award and one Research Travel Award. Can I apply for another travel award?

No. Students are limited to a maximum of two OUR awards that support travel. This limit includes both Conference Presentation Awards and Research Travel Awards combined.

For example, if you have already received one Conference Presentation Award and one Research Travel Award, you have reached the maximum number of travel-related awards and are not eligible to apply for an additional travel award. This policy is in place to help ensure that travel funding can be distributed as broadly as possible among undergraduate researchers.

Two students in my research group have already received OUR Supply Awards for different projects. Am I still eligible to receive an OUR Supply Award for my project?

To ensure that limited supply funding can support as many undergraduate researchers and research groups as possible, there is a limit of two OUR Supply Awards per research group per academic year. This means that if two students in your research group have already received Supply Awards during the current academic year, additional requests from the same group are not eligible for funding. We appreciate your understanding as we work to distribute resources equitably and support a broad range of student research opportunities.

What other funding resources can I apply for to support conference travel or research supplies if I am not eligible for an OUR Supplemental Award?

If you are not eligible for an OUR Supplemental Award, there are several alternative funding options to explore:

• Departmental Funding: Check with the department head of your major or your faculty mentor’s department to see if supplemental funds are available.
• Presidential Scholar Enrichment Funds: If you are a Presidential Scholar, review the program guidelines to determine whether your expenses qualify for support.
• Conference Funding Opportunities: Many professional conferences offer scholarships, travel grants, or registration awards specifically for undergraduate students. Visit the conference website to learn about available funding and application requirements.