Undergraduate Research Office

Key Dates

• Fall application deadline: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
• Spring application deadline: Thursday, February 4, 2027
• Days of Discovery: April 2027

Program Overview

The PNW Undergraduate Research Grant Program supports undergraduate students in all disciplines who are pursuing research, creative endeavors, or scholarly activities under the guidance of a PNW faculty mentor. Students may apply for an individual project or as a team.

Program Eligibility and Award Information

• Applicants must be enrolled at Purdue University Northwest, be in good academic standing, and be pursuing their bachelor’s degree at the time of application.
• Students may request up to $500 for individual projects and up to $1,000 for group projects.
• Awards are administered through the student’s department or college under the oversight of the faculty mentor; funds are not paid directly to students.

Note: Each applicant or student team must have a PNW faculty mentor who will provide guidance throughout the project.

How to Apply

Submit a complete application electronically through InfoReady by the applicable deadline above.

Required Application Materials

Applicant Information

• Full name, PNW email address and PUID for each participating student;
• Major, college and primary campus (Hammond or Westville) for each participating student; and
• Faculty mentor’s name and contact information.

Proposal Narrative

Upload a proposal narrative of no more than two (2) pages. Write for a general faculty audience and use clear, readable formatting. The narrative should address:

1. Introduction/Background: Briefly describe the topic, problem, or question.
2. Significance/Rationale: Explain why the project is important.
3. Objectives, Research Questions, or Hypothesis: State what the project will examine, create, or accomplish.
4. Research Design/Methodology: Describe the primary activities, methods, procedures, or creative approaches.
5. Anticipated Outcomes: Identify the expected results, products, or scholarly contributions.
6. Project Timeline: Provide a realistic timeline for completing the proposed activities.

Note: References may be included on one (1) additional page and do not count toward the two-page narrative limit.

Itemized Budget and Budget Justification

List each anticipated expense, the amount requested, and the total request. Briefly explain

what will be purchased and how each expense directly supports the proposed project.

Faculty Mentor Support Form

The faculty mentor must complete and sign the Faculty Mentor Support Form. Upload the completed form with the application. The form may be completed and signed electronically or printed, signed, scanned, and uploaded.

Allowable and Unallowable Costs

Grant funds may be used for:

• Research supplies and materials;
• Printing or postage;
• Travel.

Grant funds may not be used for:

• Food or beverages
• Giveaways, prizes, or donations;
• Wages, salaries, or stipends.

The faculty mentor and administering department or college should coordinate purchasing in accordance with Purdue University policies.

Review and Selection

Applications will be evaluated based on the project’s significance, clarity, methodology or creative approach, feasibility, budget, and adequacy of faculty mentor support. Award decisions will be communicated through InfoReady the week of October 19, 2026

Requirements for Funded Projects

• Complete all required research training and obtain all applicable regulatory approvals before beginning covered activities. Depending on the project, requirements may include CITI Responsible Conduct of Research training or other regulatory approvals.
• Conduct the project under the oversight of the faculty mentor and comply with Purdue University policies.

Note: All awardees must present the project’s progress or outcomes at PNW Days of Discovery in April 2027.

Virtual Open Office Hours

Students may drop in to ask questions about eligibility, proposal requirements, budgets, documents, or submission process. No appointment is necessary.

• September 3, 2026: 1:00–1:30 p.m.
• September 8, 2026: 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• September 10, 2026: 2:00–3:00 p.m.
• September 15, 2026: 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Join Zoom: Join the Zoom meeting (Meeting ID: 943 2448 7918)

Key Dates

• Fall application deadline: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
• Spring application deadline: Thursday, February 4, 2027
• Days of Discovery: April 2027

Program Overview

The PNW Senior Design/Capstone Project Grant Program supports undergraduate students completing senior design, capstone, or comparable culminating projects. Funding supports project development, testing, implementation, or presentation under the guidance of a PNW faculty advisor.

Program Eligibility and Award Information

• Applicants must be enrolled at Purdue University Northwest, be in good academic standing, and be participating in an eligible senior design, capstone, or comparable culminating project.
• Students may request up to $500 for individual projects and up to $1,000 for group projects.
• Awards are administered through the students’ department or college under faculty advisor oversight; funds are not paid directly to students.

Note: Each student team must have a PNW faculty advisor who will provide project guidance and oversight.

How to Apply

Submit a complete application electronically through InfoReady by the applicable deadline above.

Required Application Materials

Applicant Information

• Full name, PNW email address, and PUID for each participating student;
• Major, college, and primary campus (Hammond or Westville) for each participating student; and
• Senior design/capstone course or program and faculty advisor’s name and contact information.

Project Narrative

Upload a project narrative of no more than two (2) pages. Write for a general faculty audience and use clear, readable formatting. The narrative should address:

1. Project Background/Problem: Describe the problem, need, challenge, or opportunity the project addresses.
2. Project Goals: Explain what you intend to design, develop, create, test, evaluate, or accomplish.
3. Project Approach: Describe the primary activities, design process, methods, or creative strategy.
4. Expected Deliverables or Outcomes: Identify the anticipated product, prototype, design, analysis, presentation, or other outcome.
5. Project Significance: Explain the value or potential impact of the project.
6. Project Timeline: Provide a realistic timeline for completing the proposed activities.

Note: References, diagrams, or support materials may be included on one (1) additional page.

Itemized Budget and Budget Justification

List each anticipated expense, amount requested, and total request. Briefly explain how each expense directly supports the project.

Faculty Advisor Support Form

The faculty advisor must complete and sign the Faculty Advisor Support Form and upload it with the application. The form may be signed electronically or printed, signed, scanned, and uploaded.

Allowable and Unallowable Costs

Grant funds may be used for:

• Project supplies and materials;
• Prototype development, fabrication, printing, or presentation materials;
• Travel to complete or present the project.

Grant funds may not be used for:

• Food or beverages;
• Giveaways, prizes, or donations;
• Wages, salaries, or stipends.

The faculty advisor and administering department or college should coordinate purchasing in accordance with Purdue University policies.

Review and Selection

Applications will be evaluated based on significance, clarity of goals, approach, feasibility, anticipated outcomes, budget, and faculty advisor support. Decisions will be communicated through InfoReady the week of October 19, 2026.

Requirements for Funded Projects

• Complete required research training and obtain any applicable regulatory approvals before beginning covered activities.
• Complete the project under faculty advisor oversight and comply with Purdue University policies.

Note: All awardees must present the project’s progress, design, or outcomes at PNW Days of Discovery in April 2027.

Virtual Open Office Hours

Students may drop in with questions about eligibility, project requirements, budgets, documents, or submission. No appointment is necessary.

• September 3, 2026: 1:00–1:30 p.m.
• September 8, 2026: 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• September 10, 2026: 2:00–3:00 p.m.
• September 15, 2026: 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Join Zoom: Join the Zoom meeting

Program Overview

The PNW Undergraduate Conference Presentation Awards Program helps eligible PNW students present research, scholarship, creative work, or competition projects at professional conferences and competitions. Awards are intended to reduce eligible participation costs and are subject to available funding.

Eligibility and Funding

• Applicants must be PNW undergraduate students in good academic standing at the time of application and conference participation.
• The student must be an active presenter, exhibitor, performer, or competitor. Conference attendance without an active presentation or competition role is not eligible.
• Eligible students may request up to $400 for conference registration, approved travel, and presentation materials. Awards are contingent on the availability of funds.
• Awards are processed through Financial Aid after required proof of participation is received. Cash advances are not available, and an award may affect the student’s financial-aid package.
• Faculty members are not eligible to receive funding on behalf of students or reimbursement for student expenses. All awards must be processed and disbursed directly to the student recipient.

Important: The application must be reviewed and an award issued before the conference begins. Applications submitted after the applicable deadline or after the conference will not be considered.

How to Apply

Submit a complete application through the InfoReady portal by the deadline associated with the conference dates in the schedule on page 2. Applications are accepted on a rolling schedule through May 1, 2027.

Required Application Materials

1. Student and mentor information: Student contact, academic program, campus, and faculty mentor information.
2. Conference or competition details: Event name, sponsor, location or format, dates, presentation type, and participation status.
3. Abstract or project description: No more than 250 words describing the research, scholarly work, creative project, or competition entry and the student’s role.
4. Itemized budget: Requested expenses and amounts, including other anticipated funding sources.
5. Required attachments: Proof of registration or acceptance documentation and a faculty mentor letter of support.

Review and Selection

Complete, eligible applications will be reviewed for the quality and significance of the presentation or project, the student’s role, the professional value of the opportunity, the reasonableness of the budget, and faculty mentor support. Funding decisions are competitive, subject to available funds, and communicated through InfoReady.

Conference Application Deadlines and Review Schedule

Apply according to the conference start date. Proof of participation is due by the end of the month following the conference period shown.

* The May 1, 2027 deadline is the final application deadline for the 2026–27 cycle.

Award Conditions and Required Follow-Up

Important – Post-Conference Report and Proof of Participation: Within 30 days after the event, recipients must submit proof of participation. Photos are welcome, if available. Proof of participation is required before payment can be released.

• Disbursement: Awards are processed through Financial Aid only after acceptable proof is submitted. No cash advances are issued.
• PNW Days of Discovery: Award recipients must present their research, creative work, or competition project at PNW Days of Discovery in April 2027.

Applicant Responsibilities

Applicants are responsible for meeting conference registration and travel requirements, obtaining any necessary approvals, retaining supporting documentation, and promptly reporting changes to participation status or the approved budget.

Student Research Faculty Mentor Support Form

The faculty mentor must complete and sign the Faculty Mentor Support Form.  The form may be completed and signed electronically or printed, signed, scanned, and uploaded. The form asks the faculty mentor to confirm that they:

• Have reviewed and approved the proposed project;
• Will provide guidance, support, and budget oversight throughout the project; and
• Have reviewed whether the project may require regulatory approvals, including:
  • IRB approval for research involving human subjects;
  • PACUC approval for research involving animals; or
  • Biosafety certification for research involving hazardous materials or organisms.

Only applications that include a completed Faculty Mentor Support Form will be considered by the Undergraduate Research Office.

In order to receive the grant funds, all students engaged in the project must provide evidence that they completed required Responsible Conduct of Research training.  Evidence may be a copy of the confirmation page after completion.  All submissions will be verified.

Here is the list of RCR modules. The first box includes the ones that undergraduate students have to complete: https://www.purdue.edu/research/regulatory-affairs/docs/PurdueCITI_RCRModulesbyCourse.pdf   (plagiarism, data management, research misconduct, conflicts of interest).

A minimum score of 80% is required to pass the assigned core RCR online course. Materials can be reviewed multiple times and quizzes can be repeated until a passing score is attained.

Detailed guidance for completion of the general online RCR training requirement is available here. Abbreviated versions of the guidance tailored to a researcher’s circumstances are available below.