Student Research Grants

The application period for 2026 awarded grants opens on October 13, 2025 and closes November 22, 2025.

The Illinois State Academy of Science encourages research by Illinois high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.

In support of this effort, the academy awards competitive research grants each year. Maximum grant amounts are $200 for high school students, $500 for undergraduate students, and $1,000 for graduate students.

If you are a previous award recipient, you may apply for a second year of support, but not for a third year. However, each application is treated individually, so previous award receipt does not guarantee continuing support.

These grants are intended to support student research efforts, but cannot include funds for salary, standard equipment (e.g., glassware, pH meters, measuring tapes, etc.), tuition, travel to meetings, manuscript preparation, publication costs, or payment of indirect costs such as facilities and administration.

There are 2 parts of the application process.

  • A brief online form, including your name, contact information, school, research mentor, amount category you are applying for, and an abstract.
  • A two-page, single-spaced proposal in 12-point font (references are not included) that you will upload as part of your application.

 

After reading the instructions below, click to apply for a Student Research Grant.

Proposal Instructions:
The proposal consists of the following:

  • An introduction which identifies the research problem and its significance, briefly reviews the relevant literature, and states the goals or hypotheses underlying the work. 
  • A methods section which describes the design of the experiment, the methods to be used, and how the data will be analyzed. Throughout, it should be evident that the project has been carefully planned, is feasible using the procedures and materials identified in the methods, and directly addresses the hypotheses or goals.
  • An itemized budget is required in the application form. Items costing less than $75 each may be listed collectively as “miscellaneous reagents,” “miscellaneous field equipment,” and so on.
  • The grant review process is anonymous for both the applicants and the reviewers. Applicants should not incorporate any identifying information in the attached proposal. This includes the identity of the applicant, coworkers, mentors, and the host university. Uploaded proposal with identifying information will not be reviewed.
  • You must be a member of the Illinois State Academy of Science to apply. Membership will be verified before your application is reviewed. Student membership is $22.50/year.

  • Your research advisor will also be contacted for a letter of support, or they can send it directly to the academy via our Contact page.

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Applicants will receive an email acknowledging their grant application following submission.

Notification of award status, by email,  is expected in early December after all applications have been reviewed.  

For additional information, please contact Dr. Kurt Schulz at kschulz@siue.edu.