Overview of the Undergraduate Research Grants

The Race & Ethnic Studies Institute (RESI) is offering a number of research grants to current Texas A&M University undergraduate students. This is, essentially, a major project grant to support the research enterprise leading to successful completion of some significant, faculty-directed project. In general, applicants should have second, third, or fourth-year standing; but RESI will consider proposals from exceptional students in their first year. As this award is also intended to provide students with grant-writing experience, students are expected to work closely with a faculty member on a project description, the rationale for the grant, and budget. Faculty are expected to provide feedback on a draft proposal and write a confidential letter directly to RESI.

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible, applicants must be full-time or part-time undergraduate students in good standing at Texas A&M University. If a student applying for the Undergraduate Research Grants has previously had a project funded through another RESI program, they must have completed all requirements of that program, including reporting. 

STIPENDS AND FINANCIAL AID: The Race & Ethnic Studies Institute annually funds a number of Undergraduate Research Grants up to $500 each. There will be two competitions – one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Please check with the financial aid office to confirm that your financial aid will not be affected by receipt of this or other awards.

FUND DISBURSEMENT: By default, the awards run until the end of the fiscal year in which they are offered (August 31st). We expect these grants to fulfill defined, short term needs. Exceptions can be made; we just ask that any such requests are communicated to us in a timely manner (ideally as part of the application process). Funds will be given as a bursary to be managed by the student’s home department.

BUDGET CRITERIA: The budget might include (but not be limited to) fieldwork, travel to archives, research materials, data sets, survey instruments, and participant incentives. The grant is not intended solely as a small grant to attend a conference, although proposals that include (or will lead to) presentations at conferences and workshops are strongly encouraged. The budget may not include stipend/salary or tuition of any sort. For any questions about how the funds may be used, please ask your faculty supervisor to contact RESI well before the deadline. 

GRANT EXPECTATIONS: The primary outcome should be a completed research project. Awardees should acknowledge the Race & Ethnic Studies Institute in any resulting publications, presentations, or other work products funded; and will be asked to submit updates on their progress and products.

Undergraduate Research Grants Application

Students should complete the application linked below. Faculty project supervisors should email their letters of support directly to RESI (resi@tamu.edu) no later than the application deadline. 

The application will include a number of questions for you to answer. You will also be required to upload two PDFs:

1. A complete project narrative and budget. This should not exceed 1,000 words (approximately 2 pages single-spaced), but can be shorter. Truthfully, 1-page single-spaced usually should be enough. It should be in a standard 11-12 point font with 1” margins. It should include the following elements:
   1. Title
   2. Abstract (50 words)
   3. Description of the research project and expected outcomes at the end of the grant period.
   4. In addition to the general topic, include the research aims, methodology, sources and the contribution the work makes to your field(s) and race/ethnic studies generally. In other words, how will you accomplish your research and what is its impact? Use language that a scholar not working in your field might understand.
   5. Provide as detailed a budget as possible so that we can assess how the funds will be used.
2. CV or Resumé (not to exceed 2 pages)