
CURE offers a variety of competitive grants to support undergraduate research endeavors. Applicants are eligible for the awards regardless of immigration status and FAFSA eligibility status.
The conference travel award assists students to present their research findings at a conference or professional meeting. Fellowships are also available to support students to conduct summer research under the mentorship of a University of Oregon faculty mentor. CURE has also created a small grants fund to assist eligible students with research-related expenses, so they may continue their research work.
Celebrating the Award Recipients




First Year Research Experience (FYRE) Award
CURE launched FYRE in 2020 to provide first-year undergraduate students (including transfers students in their first year at the UO) the developmental opportunity to explore and engage in research and creative work. This fellowship annually funds students who are in their first year at UO. This year, recipients will receive $5000 and their research faculty mentor will receive $1000. FYRE recipients are expected to perform full-time summer research for 8 weeks minimum under the mentorship of a UO faculty member. CURE invites students from all schools, colleges, majors, and minors to apply for FYRE, including the humanities, arts, social sciences, and sciences. The application has been extended to April 26, 2023.
The applicant is asked to have a faculty mentor identified and a research proposal at the time of application. CURE invites students seeking to connect with a prospective faculty mentor to meet with our team (visit open hours or by appointment) so that we can work with them to provide guidance, resources, and support.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) funds up to five students annually of any class standing to conduct full-time summer research for 8 weeks minimum under the supervision of a UO faculty member. This year, SURF recipients receive a $5000 stipend. CURE invites students from all schools, colleges, majors, and minors to apply for SURF, including the humanities, arts, social sciences, and sciences. The application due date is April 12, 2023.
The applicant is asked to have a faculty mentor identified and a research proposal at the time of application. CURE invites students seeking to connect with a prospective faculty mentor to meet with our team (visit open hours or by appointment) so that we can work with them to provide guidance, resources, and support.
Conference Presentation and Travel Awards
The purpose of this award is to support undergraduate students in their academic and professional development by attending and/or presenting at academic and professional conferences and symposia. Conference participation represents an integral element of the scholarly process, as well as graduate school and career exploration--from practicing how to communicate your work to networking with peers, faculty, professionals, and experts in your academic disciplines and career fields. The award is available to students in any of the University of Oregon’s eight undergraduate schools and colleges. CURE defines research and creative work expansively to encompass the social sciences, humanities, sciences, creative and performance arts, as well as the professional schools. Ten travel awards will be granted per year, with three awards designated for National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) presenters in the spring. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Award funds may not be reserved pending conference acceptance to present. NOTE: The standard number of awards for this academic year has been reached. However, additional funding may be available for spring 2023. Applications will considered on first-come-first-serve basis, and may not be guaranteed.
Undergraduate Research Small Grant
The Undergraduate Research Small Grant program, through CURE, offers funding for research related expenses, such as materials, supplies, minor equipment, and processing fees, as well as travel costs to research sites, such as field locations or archives and special collections. The funding is offered to undergraduate students engaging in research and creative work in any field of study. Funding for travel to academic conferences is offered through the CURE Conference Travel Award, and not through this form. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Click here to access the Undergraduate Research Small Grant form.
Faculty Research Mentor Award
The Faculty Research Mentor Award recognizes up to four UO faculty members annually for their exceptional mentoring of undergraduate research, creative work, and experiential learning. The Faculty Research Mentor Award is open to all full-time and part-time research and instructional faculty employed by the University of Oregon, which includes tenure related and career faculty, emerit faculty, library faculty, and officers of research, including research assistants, research associates, and postdoctoral scholars. Nominations are solicited widely from current students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The recipients are recognized as part of the Undergraduate Research Symposium in late May. The awards include a $2500 prize, framed certificate, and profiles published in the Symposium Program Book and on the Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships website. The 2023 nomination deadline is May 3.