Student Grants Guide
We encourage students to share this guide with their mentors as they develop projects and prepare proposals for submission.
- Check your eligibility to apply.
- Select a grant type.
- Plan your application and project timeline.
- Confirm policy compliance.
- See how proposals are scored.
Back to Student Grant Types
Notices
All grant applications are closed—but will reopen next fall for Summer 2024 and/or Academic Year 2024-25 projects.
Open opportunities will be posted late April to early May—join the alert list to be notified when projects are posted for Summer 2023 and/or Academic Year 2023-24. You can also add your name to the "Application Alert List" to be notified when applications reopen.
Application Process Overview
Step 1
Review this guide with your mentor to confirm your eligibility, plan your timeline, and ensure policy compliance.
Step 2
Prepare your proposal with your mentor and submit your application, using the secure and accessible online forms linked on this site.
Step 3
When you submit your application, your mentor will receive an email with a unique link to access the Mentor Endorsement form.
Step 4
Proposals are evaluated in a blind review process by members of the UROP Review Board after the application deadline.
Step 5
Decision notices are sent from urop@colorado.edu near the end of the spring term; UROP encourages you to add us as a "safe sender."
Student Grants Guide
Eligibility
Students
Students must be degree-seeking undergraduates at the University of Colorado Boulder to apply for UROP funding and should not plan to graduate before the end of a proposed project's grant term.
All students grants must be supervised by an eligible faculty mentor.
Mentors
Tenured/tenure-track, research faculty and contract instructors at the University of Colorado Boulder and Anschutz Medical Campus are eligible to mentor Student Grants and apply for Faculty Grants.
Graduate students or post-docs may serve in a supervisory role on student grants, but the faculty mentor must provide some direct mentoring to the undergraduate.
Special Circumstances
- The student is enrolled in an independent study course with their mentor.
- The student is enrolled in a thesis or thesis prep. course.
- Fall graduates will only be awarded half the value of the grant funding amount.
- Students must indicate the intent to graduate in the Fall when applying.
- The Final Survey deadline will be earlier for students graduating in the Fall term (December).
- Student grant funding is classified as a fellowship and paid as a stipend using the university's payroll system (job code 3205). Although students typically need an employee identification number (EID) and payments are made through the payroll system, UROP funding is not considered payroll wages or employee compensation. See IRS Publication 970 for guidance regarding fellowships/stipends.
- Payments to recipients who are U.S. citizens are not typically subject to federal and state income tax withholding and payroll taxes (i.e., FICA and Medicare taxes). The university has no tax reporting requirement for these payments (no W-2), but is required to report payments on the federal form 1042-S. Students should know that payments may be taxable income and should consult with their tax advisors. Non-residents are subject to federal income tax withholding and should schedule an appointment with an International Tax Specialist.
- If you do not have a social security number (SSN), you might need to apply for one to receive payment from UROP (or arrange an alternative form of payment). If you are a non-resident, we will work with you to find the best payment option for your circumstances. Contact us at urop@colorado.edu or (303) 492-2596 for instructions and documentation—and let us know as you have questions.
Student Grant Types
We offer two student grant types based on the student's level of involvement in the project's development.
Unsure what grant type to select?
Review the proposal prompts for each grant type to see what you'll need to apply, which can help you select a grant type.
Assistantships
UROP Assistantships provide funding to students to partner with a faculty mentor to help on an existing project.
Individual Grants
UROP Individual Grants allow students to take ownership of part or all of a project with an original proposal.
Timeline
UROP funds projects throughout the year in two "grant terms" (summer and the academic year), but applications are reviewed and awarded annually.
Fall / Spring-Only Projects
UROP does not currently offer fall or spring-only grants–except when students plan to graduate in the fall semester.
Summer
May to August
Summer term proposal timelines should span most of the award period (from the end of the Spring term to the beginning of the Fall term) and come to a distinct, if not final, conclusion by the end of the term.
Academic Year
August to May
Academic Year term proposal timelines should span most of the award period (from the beginning of the Fall term to the end of the Spring term) and come to a distinct, if not final, conclusion by the end of the term.
Multiple Submissions
Applicants may submit proposals for projects in the summer and/or academic year at the same time and should be aware that budgetary limitations often restrict our ability to fund more than one proposal in any application cycle. If applicants plan to submit proposals for more than one grant term, they must submit separate applications for each–and should be aware that proposals may be reviewed separately.
Continuing Projects
Applicants may submit proposals for projects that extend beyond the grant term, but all proposals should come to a distinct, if not final, conclusion by the end of the term.
Compliance
Human Subjects
Projects involving human subjects may require approval by the IRB and involve additional steps in the application and award process.
Students: Talk to your mentor as soon as possible and review the resources and guidelines on the IRB website.
Additional Prompts
Have you completed training in human subject research (IRB)?
- Yes: Attach your IRB training completion certificate.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the IRB training requirements for human subject testing.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's plans to work with human subjects.
Have you completed training in human subject research (IRB)?
- Yes: Attach your IRB training completion certificate.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the IRB training requirements for human subject testing.
Has your project been approved by the IRB?
- Yes: Attach your IRB approval.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to receive IRB approval for your project, noting how you will identify and protect subjects during and after the project.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's plans to work with human subjects.
Has your project been approved by the IRB?
- Yes: Attach your IRB approval.
100 words maximum: Explain your plan to ensure all students complete the IRB training requirements for human subject testing and the project receives IRB approval, noting how you will identify and protect subjects during and after the project.
Animal Subjects
Projects involving animal subjects may require approval by the IACUC and involve additional steps in the application and award process.
Students: Talk to your mentor as soon as possible and review the resources and guidelines on the IACUC website.
Additional Prompts
Have you completed training the care and use of animals (IACUC)?
- Yes: Attach your IACUC training completion certificate.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the IACUC training requirements for non-human animal subject testing.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's plans to work with animal subjects.
Have you completed training the care and use of animals (IACUC)?
- Yes: Attach your IACUC training completion certificate.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the IACUC training requirements for non-human animal subject testing.
Has your project been approved by the IACUC?
- Yes: Attach your IACUC approval.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to receive IACUC approval for your project, noting how you will identify and protect subjects during and after the project.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's plans to work with animal subjects.
Has your project been approved by the IACUC?
- Yes: Attach your IACUC approval.
100 words maximum: Explain your plan to ensure all students complete the IACUC training requirements for non-human animal subject testing and the project receives IACUC approval, noting how you will identify and protect subjects during and after the project.
NSF and NIH Projects
Students participating in projects with NSF or NIH funding must complete appropriate training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).
Students: Talk to your mentor as soon as possible and review the resources and guidelines on the RCR website.
Additional Prompts
Have you completed training in the responsible conduct of research (RCR)?
- Yes: Attach your RCR training completion certificate.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the RCR training requirements for working on NSF and/or NIH-funded research.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's plans to work on an NSF and/or NIH-funded project.
100 words maximum: Explain your plan to ensure all students complete the RCR training requirements for working on NSF and/or NIH-funded research.
Travel
Projects involving domestic and/or international travel require additional steps in the application and award process.
Students: University policy restricts travel to students who are 18 years of age or older, so you will need to certify your age.
Additional Prompts
Student Grants
- Will you be at least 18 years of age by the time you intend to travel?
- Destination(s): State/Province/Region, City, Zip/Postal Code
- Lodging(s): Name, Street Address, Phone
- Emergency Contact: Name, Phone, Email and Relationship
- Hospital or Medical Facility: Name, Street Address, and Phone
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's domestic or international travel plans.
- Will you be at least 18 years of age by the time you intend to travel?
- Destination(s): Country, State/Province/Region, City, Zip/Postal Code
- Lodging(s): Name, Street Address, Phone
- Emergency Contact: Name, Phone, Email and Relationship
- Hospital or Medical Facility: Name, Street Address, and Phone
Have you completed the international travel registration process?
- Yes: Attach your approval email.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the international travel registration process.
Mentor's Prompt
100 words maximum: Explain how you will support your mentee's domestic or international travel plans.
Check out the next tab for details on the international travel registration process.
Faculty Grants
- Destination(s): State/Province/Region, City, Zip/Postal Code
- Lodging(s): Name, Street Address, Phone
- Hospital or Medical Facility: Name, Street Address, and Phone
- Destination(s): Country, State/Province/Region, City, Zip/Postal Code
- Lodging(s): Name, Street Address, Phone
- Hospital or Medical Facility: Name, Street Address, and Phone
Have you completed the international travel registration process?
- Yes: Attach your approval email.
- No: 100 words maximum: Explain your plan to complete the international travel registration process.
Check out the next tab for details on the international travel registration process.
International Travel
UROP International Travel Policy
If planning international travel, applicants must complete the International Travel Registration process as stipulated in the Policy on Student International Travel and Programs.
Applicants are responsible for paying the cost of the program and all related fees directly. UROP recommends starting the process no later than 3 months prior to departure.
To begin, email registertravel@colorado.edu.
COVID-19 Policy
Travelers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in accordance with the decision made by the University of Colorado. Due to the continued fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic and global response, UROP recommends closely following the advice of the CDC, International SOS, U.S. Department of State and local on-site contacts. As you're planning for your time abroad, be prepared for last minute changes in your ability to travel internationally and potential financial ramifications.
High-Risk Locations & Travel Advisory Suspension Appeals
All travel to a country and/or area designated as a “High-Risk Location” is restricted and requires an appeal to the campus International Risk Committee for Student Travel for permission to travel. Please note that the IRC may withdraw approval for international travel at any time based on changes in the security, health, or safety situation of a location. Additionally, the IRC may request a review of travel plans for approval at any time, regardless of the current US Department of State Travel Advisory level.
UROP International Travel Procedure
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UROP will notify Education Abroad (EA) of all applications proposing international travel. For student grant applicants, notices are sent to EA as faculty mentors complete and submit the Mentor Endorsement form.
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Applicants will be contacted by an EA representative and are expected to follow up in a timely manner—to start the International Travel Registration process, determine if additional compliance procedures are necessary and establish a timeline appropriate for their travel plans.
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EA will notify UROP that applicants have started the International Travel Registration process and alert UROP if an applicant's travel plans require an appeal from the International Risk Committee (IRC).
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UROP will send decision notices after EA confirms that applicants have started the registration process.
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Applicants travelling to locations that do not require an appeal from the IRC may be issued payment before the travel registration process is completed.
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Applicants travelling to locations that require an appeal from the International Risk Committee or additional compliance procedures will be issued payment only after their travel plan has been approved. Award offers will be withdrawn if an applicant's travel plans are not approved by the IRC. Applicants are responsible for notifying UROP of final IRC decisions.
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COVID-19 Risk
You will be required to agree to the following statement acknowledging the risk of COVID-19:
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, there are enhanced risks associated with travel. Please review these terms and provide your acknowledgement and understanding of the enhanced risks associated with your destination so that you can make informed decisions and reduce the potential risks associated with travel.
- I understand that the World Health Organization has classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. I further understand that COVID-19 is a highly contagious and dangerous disease, and that contact with the virus that causes COVID-19 may result in significant personal injury or death to me or others. I am aware of and and accept all the risks inherent in traveling and participating in this program.
- I have reviewed the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for my travel destination, including their COVID-19 Travel Information.
- I have reviewed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) country-specific information for my destination as well as their COVID-19 Information.
- I understand that it is possible to contract COVID-19 even if I follow all safety precautions and guidelines recommended by the CDC and other federal, state and local government health officials. I recognize that my participation in this program may expose me to inherent, unforeseeable risks not within the control of CU Boulder.
- I understand that any unanticipated travel or lodging costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic will be my responsibility.
- I understand that I am subject to all local laws, regulations, ordinances or other government-related orders while participating in this program.
- I am responsible for my own personal health and safety. I assume the responsibility for obtaining all required medical advice, and/or medications from a healthcare professional prior to traveling.
- I will take the necessary steps to prepare myself and manage the risks of traveling.
Review Process
Proposals are evaluated in a double-blind review process to ensure applicants receive fair and informed evaluations of their proposed projects and comply with university policy.
Project Categories
Proposals are evaluated by one of six sub-committees based on the following project categories (selected at the time of application).
- Arts and Humanities
- Business
- Education
- Life/Bio-Sciences
- Math, Physical Sciences and Engineering
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
Ensuring Blind Review
Proposals must not contain the student's or mentor's personal information (name and gender) to ensure the integrity of blind review.
Make these substitutions in your proposal:
- "student" for the student's name
- "mentor" for the mentor's name
- "additional supervisor" for the supervisor's name
- "lab/research team" for the team's name
- "they" for gendered pronouns (s/he)
UROP Review Board
UROP encourages faculty to serve on the Review Board to evaluate proposals, learn more about the process and help ensure timely decisions—even if they plan to mentor or apply for funding.
Student Grants Review Criteria
Context and Objectives
The project proposal's objectives are clearly positioned within the "bigger picture" of the disciplinary frame or wider context.
Methodology and Strategy
The project proposal clearly explains the methodology and/or strategy to achieve meaningful outcomes and objectives.
Scale and Scope
The project proposal achieves meaningful learning outcomes in the award period without interfering with regular coursework and extracurricular obligations, including a timeline of activities.
Relevance
The project proposal advances the student’s academic goals and/or professional aspirations.
Resources and Materials
Individual Grants Only
The project proposal makes thoughtful, efficient use of available resources.
Originality and Creativity
Individual Grants Only
The proposal demonstrates originality of thought and creativity in approach and project design.
Common Issues Checklist
Before you submit your application, review your responses for these common issues.
If you notice any of these issues on your proposal after submission, contact urop@colorado.edu to request changes. Please include your application reference number and copy your mentor.
- Is all of your information and your mentor's information accurate (name, email, ID numbers, etc.)? Mistakes could delay the review of your proposal and/or your award payment.
- Is your mentor eligible to mentor UROP projects? Check our eligibility guidelines, and contact us with questions. If your mentor is not eligible, they might be a suitable "additional supervisor" with a faculty member as the project "mentor."
- Does your proposal include personally identifiable information (PII), such as your name or your mentor’s name? You need to remove all PII to ensure blind review.
- Have you answered all of the university compliance questions accurately? Be sure to check with your mentor if you don’t know how to respond, and use the Compliance Worksheet to prepare your answers.