As part of the Research 2030 Initiative, UC offers funding for internal research candidates. Internal seed funds serve as a critical catalyst for researchers, allowing them to build a solid foundation, generate preliminary evidence, and develop the necessary skills and collaborations that make them more competitive when seeking external funding from government agencies, private foundations, or industry partners. The internal funding opportunities range from fellowships and stipends for undergraduate and graduate students to programs for early- and mid-career faculty and researchers. 

Check out the offerings for this Spring down below! 

Space Research Institute for Discovery and Exploration (SRIDE) Fellowship for Discovery – Undergraduate Students 

What it is: The process of discovery contributes to our nation’s prowess in space exploration. In the Age of Discovery (circa 15th – 18th century), the leading nations of the day set out to explore what was unknown to them. The exploration of space will lead to greater understanding of the Earth and its place in the vastness of space. Humans living in space or on other celestial bodies will encounter new challenges in building societies. This includes not only sustainable physical structures but other critical aspects such as the formulation of exploration policies and new forms of civil society and governance in space. 

A prime directive of the Space Research Institute for Discovery and Exploration (SRIDE) at the University of Cincinnati (UC) is to foster growth in career paths that are aligned with our regional and national interests to discover and explore our universe with an emphasis on space travel and habitation. The Institute has established an Undergraduate Fellowship program – the SRIDE Fellowship for Discovery – to support students who show potential in advancing new ideas related to space discovery and exploration.  

Who this is for: The SRIDE Fellowship for Discovery is for undergraduates with 2-3 years remaining in their academic degree program. Undergraduates of all majors are eligible and encouraged to apply for this Fellowship. 

Amount: Up to six $5,000 fellowships per academic semester 

Key Dates: 

FOA Released: Thursday, January 11, 2024 

Application Deadline: February 22, 2024 by 5:00 pm EDT 

Anticipated Fellows Announcement: Week of April 8, 2024

Learn about past awardees here!

Space Research Institute for Discovery and Exploration (SRIDE) Fellowship for Exploration - Graduate Students

What it is: The process of discovery contributes to our nation’s prowess in space exploration. In the Age of Discovery (circa 15th – 18th century), the leading nations of the day set out to explore what was unknown to them. The exploration of space will lead to greater understanding of the Earth and its place in the vastness of space. Humans living in space or on other celestial bodies will encounter new challenges in building societies. This includes not only sustainable physical structures but other critical aspects such as the formulation of exploration policies and new forms of civil society and governance in space.

A prime directive of the Space Research Institute for Discovery and Exploration (SRIDE) at the University of Cincinnati (UC) is to foster growth in career paths that are aligned with our regional and national interests to discover and explore our universe with an emphasis on space travel and habitation. The Institute has established a Graduate Fellowship program – the SRIDE Fellowship for Exploration – to support students who show potential in advancing new ideas related to space discovery and exploration.

Who this is for: The SRIDE Fellowship for Exploration is for graduate students pursuing their Masters or Ph.D. degrees. There are no limitations to the discipline or background of graduate students – applications from all areas are strongly encouraged.

Amount: Up to five $30,000 fellowships

Key Dates:

Learn about past awardees here!

Office of Research Society & Culture (formerly AHSS) Program  

What it is: Through the Society & Culture Research Advancement Program (formerly the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Research Advancement Program), the Office of Research seeks to incentivize novel research, exceptional scholarship, and the production of creative and performing art works that creatively address issues of increasing societal significance. 

Who this is for: The program is open to UC faculty whose proposed activities fell within the areas of the arts, humanities, and social sciences. 

Amount: Up to four $25,000 grants 

Key Dates: 

FOA Released: Thursday, January 11, 2024  

LOI Deadline: Friday, February 2, 2024, 5:00 pm EST 

Anticipated Finalists Notified: Week of February 26, 2024

Grant Project Period: May 2024 – May 2026 

Learn about last year’s awardee here! 

Urban Futures Pathway / UC Coalition for Change (C3) Fund 

What it is: Building upon previous Next Lives Here investments in the Urban Futures Pathway, the Office of Research seeks to incentivize novel, impactful research, exceptional scholarship, and the production of dynamic creative and performing artworks that address issues of increasing societal significance. This opportunity follows a two-stage, LOI and finalist round process.  

Who this is for: This program is open to UC faculty whose proposed research and activities seek to address the most pressing issues faced by the people in and around Cincinnati and those in communities beyond our region. 

Amount: Up to five $25,000 grants 

Key Dates: 

FOA Released: Thursday, January 11, 2024 

LOI Deadline: Friday, February 2, 2024, 5:00 pm EST  

Anticipated Finalists Notified: Week of February 26, 2024  

URC Faculty Pivot Program 

What it is: Building upon the rich legacy of the University Research Council (URC), UC’s oldest and most prestigious internal funding program, the URC Faculty Research Pivot Grants are targeted to mid-career and beyond faculty who are proposing transformative new ideas and directions for their research, scholarship, and creative activities.  

This program will follow a two-stage application/evaluation process. The first stage involves submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI). Up to 10 finalists will then be invited to submit a full proposal and agree to a 15-minute presentation/Q&A to discuss their proposed activities. 

Who this is for: This program is for individual faculty and may be discipline-focused or interdisciplinary in nature. All areas of research, scholarship and creative activities across UC are eligible. 

Amount: Up to five $20,000 grants 

Key Dates: 

FOA Released: Thursday, January 11, 2024 

LOI Deadline: March 6, 2024, 5:00 pm EST  

Anticipated Finalists Notified: Week of March 25, 2024