HOW TO APPLY

(Unless you are applying to be a Peer Research Mentor! In which case, check your invitation email for application instructions.)

For best results, use Firefox.

Log in with your NetID and Password.

IMPORTANT GENERAL INFORMATION

(find grant-specific details at bottom)

All applications are due by 11:59pm on the date of the deadline.

  1. After log-in, you’ll see a grid with any applications you have submitted.  If you have never used this system, it will be empty.
  2. Click “Apply” on the left hand side to see the list of programs currently accepting applications.
  3. Click “OUR: Office of Undergraduate Research.”
  4. Click on the program title to open the application.
  5. Complete the basic information first, and then save a draft.
  6. Access your draft through the link above, finding your application in the grid.

ENDORSEMENTS

Many applications require faculty endorsements. Be sure to contact faculty well before the application deadline to give them sufficient time to prepare their endorsements.  You will supply the faculty member’s NetID on your application.  To find someone’s netid: Using the online directory, follow the link that says “You can also display additional technical details about people and NetIDs.” Then click on ‘display more’ to see their full details including the netid.

  1. After searching by name, click {More} to find the NetID.
  2. If you are off campus, you will need to be logged in via VPN.
  3. When you type the NetID into your application, hit tab, and then wait for a few seconds.  The system uses the NetID to pull other data, and it can take a moment.

After you submit your application, the system will email the faculty member a link for submitting the endorsement .

UPLOADS (PROPOSALS, ABSTRACTS, ETC.)

  • Only PDFs are allowed for grant applications. * In most cases, you can only upload a single document.  If multiple items are required for the application (such as a proposal, budget, and list of interview questions), combine them into a single PDF before upload.

*Abstracts for the Undergraduate Research and Arts Expo must be uploaded as .rft, .doc, or .docx documents.

  • When you save drafts of your application, the system will not save uploads.  Only upload your file when you are ready for final submission.

WHAT HAPPENS AT FINAL SUBMISSION

When you submit the application (via the button on the left hand side), you will get one of two system responses:

  1. An error message that there were some problems with your application.  The errors will be highlighted in red; please review and correct them before you resubmit.  Remember to re-do your upload as it will not have been saved.
  2. If there are no errors, you will be sent to a survey site.  Doing the survey is a requirement to complete your application.

AUTOMATIC SYSTEM EMAILS

All steps of the application process will generate automatic emails.

  • You will receive one within 15 minutes of your successful submission.
  • Your faculty sponsor/advisor will receive an automatic email with a link into the system.
  • You will receive an email when s/he has completed the endorsement.
  • If your application is accepted, you will receive an email containing a link back into the system to formally accept your grant.

HELP

Send system issues and questions to undergradresearch@northwestern.edu.

Send a screen shot of any error message you receive.

FAQ

Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grants (AY URGs)

Proposal Specifications

  • It is crucial to consult the Proposal Writing page for detailed guides on preparing the URG proposal and application package.
  • Proposals must be two pages, single spaced with 1″ margins all around.  Use Times New Roman 12 point font or Ariel 11 point font.
  • Please use whatever citation style is normal in your field.
  • You may have additional appendixes with figures, pictures, surveys, interview questions, information from contacts, works cited, etc.  All applications should include a Works Cited list.
  • All proposal documents should be converted to a PDF before uploading into the application system.
  • Failure to follow these guidelines will result in negative assessments from the review committee.
  • We recommend that all student interested in the grant meet with an OUR Advisor. Advising Request.

Budget

  • Applicants are required to submit an itemized budget of expenses as an addendum to the proposal.
  • If your project includes international travel, add the cost of your airfare overseas to be considered for supplemental travel funding. (You must request supplemental funding at the time of application.)

Work with Human Subjects

  • If your project includes work with human subjects, you are required to submit a separate application to the Institutional Review Board, with your faculty sponsor/advisor at Principle Investigator, before you submit your grant application.  You are required to place your IRB study number in your URG application.  Find details on human subjects.

Group Projects

  • Each member of the group must apply separately, but each will submit the same proposal document.
  • The proposal can be one page longer than the number of people in the group, i.e. a 2 person group would have a 3 page proposal and a 3 person group would have a 4 page proposal.
  • Group members can either use the same faculty sponsor/advisor or different ones, whichever is most appropriate for the project.  If separate advisors are used, group members must assure that all sponsors are in communication with each other about the project.
  • We strongly recommend that all group projects meet with an OUR Advisor. Advising Request.
Summer Undergraduate Research Grants (Summer URGs)

Proposal Specifications

  • It is crucial to consult the Proposal Writing page for detailed guides on preparing the URG proposal and application package.
  • Proposals must be two pages, single spaced with 1″ margins all around.  Use Times New Roman 12 point font or Ariel 11 point font.
  • Please use whatever citation style is standard in your field.
  • You may have additional appendixes with figures, pictures, surveys, interview questions, information from contacts, etc.  All applications should include a Works Cited list.
  • All proposal documents should be converted to a single PDF before uploading into the application system.
  • Failure to follow these guidelines will result in negative assessments from the review committee.
  • We recommend that all student interested in the grant meet with an OUR Advisor. Advising Request.

Budget

  • Budgets are not required for this grant, as all awards are for a fixed $3,000 living expense stipend.
  • If your project includes international travel, complete and attach the Budget document to your proposal, listing only the cost of your airfare overseas to be considered for supplemental travel funding- 50% of your airfare. (You must request supplemental funding for international projects at the time of application.)

Work with Human Subjects

  • If your project includes work with human subjects and is awarded funding, you are required to submit a separate application to the Institutional Review Board, with your faculty sponsor/advisor as Principle Investigator. Find details on human subjects.

Group Projects

  • Each member of the group must apply separately, but each will submit the same proposal document.
  • The proposal can be one page longer than the number of people in the group, i.e. a 2 person group would have a 3 page proposal and a 3 person group would have a 4 page proposal.
  • Group members can either use the same faculty sponsor/advisor or different ones, whichever is most appropriate for the project.  If separate advisors are used, group members must assure that all sponsors are in communication with each other about the project.
  • We strongly recommend that all group projects meet with an OUR Advisor. Advising Request.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP)

For Faculty

  • If you already have a student you’d like to hire, indicate so on your application, and upload (in PDF format) the student’s résumé and a cover that should express why the student wants the position and what they hope to gain from the experience. Justify why you have chosen this student, remembering that the program favors students just getting started in research.
  • If you do not have a student you’d like to hire, list the qualifications you seek in your application. If you are awarded URAP funding, the Office of Undergraduate Research will run an open search. You will then interview and select a student to hire.
  • You may choose to divide your assistantship among multiple students, splitting the award amount between them.

For Students

  • URAP applications are submitted by faculty, rather than by students.
  • If it is before the faculty application deadline, you can contact faculty with whom you would like to work, and alert them to the fact that they can apply for the grant with you as the pre-determined research assistant.
  • After faculty grant recipients are announced, open positions will be listed on the URAP Job Listings page.  There are two URAP cycles.  In early November, academic year openings will be posted, and in early May, summer openings will be posted.
  • Application requirements will vary according to faculty wishes and may include a copy of your résumé and a cover letter.  The cover letter should indicate why you want the position and what you hope to gain from the experience.  Northwestern Career Advancement has support and resources for how to write a cover letter.
  • If the faculty member chooses to make you a finalist for the position, they will contact you to set up an interview.
Undergraduate Language Grants (ULGs)

A complete application consists of:

  1. Online application form, including estimated budget. Think about expenses like airfair, tuition, travel to classes/local travel, housing, meals, health insurance (check out GeoBlue on the Office of Global Safety and Security website), visas, instruction materials, etc.
  2. A two page, single spaced proposal. Guide to ULG proposal writing
  3. A résumé – we encourage you to tailor this to match your language and career goals as described in your proposal.
  4. Information about your chosen language program.  Do not upload a full brochure.  Simply excerpt the relevant information.
  5. Two faculty endorsements. (see Faculty Role section of ULG page). To find someone’s netid: Using the online directory, follow the link that says “You can also display additional technical details about people and NetIDs.” Then click on ‘display more’ to see their full details.
  6. An official academic transcript.

Submission instructions:

  • The proposal and résumé must be uploaded as a single PDF file.
  • There is a separate field to upload documentation about your chosen language program (required if you wish to attend a non-NU language program).   Do not upload large brochures.  Simply excerpt the relevant information and save as a PDF file before uploading.  The maximum allowable file size is 3MB.
  • Official transcripts can be ordered online from the Office of the Registrar
    • Electronic transcripts are preferred and must be sent to uroffice@northwestern.edu, addressed to Megan Wood, by the application deadline.
    • If you order a paper copy, it must be sealed and delivered to the Office of Undergraduate Research, 1801 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60208.
Circumnavigators Travel-Study Grant

A complete application consists of:

Submission instructions:

  • The proposal and résumé must be uploaded as a single document, PDF format.
  • Official transcripts can be ordered online from the Office of the Registrar
    • Electronic transcripts are preferred and should be sent to undergradresearch@northwestern.edu.
    • If you order a paper copy, it must be sealed and delivered to the Office of Undergraduate Research, 1801 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60208.
Conference Travel Grants (CTGs)

This grant application does not require you to write a formal proposal.  Instead, include the following components into a single document when you apply.

  1. Your presentation abstract.
  2. Proof that your presentation has been accepted.  This can be an email from the conference organizers or a copy of the conference program.
  3. Information about the standing of this conference within the field.
  4. An itemized budget of conference travel expenses.
  5. An explanation of how you plan to cover the other 50% of the conference expenses.
Undergraduate Research & Arts Expo and Creative Arts Festival

There are two separate applications: one for Poster/Oral Presentations (Expo)  and another for the Creative Arts Festival. You may apply to both.

Requirements

  • Your contact information.
  • Names and contact information of any undergraduate co-presenters.
  • Name, phone, and email of your faculty supervisor(s).
  • The class name/number or other auspices under which you conducted your research project.
  • An ABSTRACT of 250 words or less describing your project.  If you are accepted, this description of your project will be printed in the Expo program.
    • Abstracts should be intelligible for an educated, but non-expert, non-technical audience.
    • Need Help? Consult our Guide to Writing an Abstract for the Exposition for advice and sample abstracts.
    • Your abstract must be uploaded as a .doc, .docx, or .rtf file.

Group presentations

Each co-presenter must apply separately, but each will upload the same abstract.  List all co-presenters in your application.  Do NOT list co-authors who will not be presenting with you at the Expo.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.  You may open a submission file, save it, and return to complete it at a later date.