Funding and Research
Related Resources
Resources for funding for undergraduate research.
Funding
The School of General Studies offers a small stipend ($250) to defray associated expenses for GS seniors working on a senior thesis or honors project.
Eligible students should submit the application form by the appropriate deadline:
- December 1 for fall-term or academic-year thesis projects*
- March 1 for spring-term thesis projects
- May 15 for calendar-year or EALAC senior thesis projects for the next academic year
*The deadline for fall term thesis applications has been extended to December 12 for the fall 2022 semester only.
Deadlines that fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or University holiday will be moved to the next business day.
The GS Office of Academic Affairs may provide a one-time stipend of up to $250 to students partaking in academic endeavors that are often not covered by traditional financial aid. These opportunities may include academic conferences, unique research opportunities, and visits to museums and other cultural institutions of interest and relevance.
In order to apply for funding, students are requested to submit the following documentation:
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Completed Funding for Individual Academic Research Application.
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Supplementary statement: Students must provide a supplementary statement explaining the nature of the event or initiative, and how their participation or attendance will enhance their undergraduate experience. Statements should not exceed one page in length.
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Event/initiative-related documentation: Invoices, receipts, flyers, proof of payment, and brochures that provide the cost of participation and logistical details (date and location of the event, etc.).
Completed applications and supplementary documentation may be submitted electronically to [email protected]; alternatively, hard copies may be submitted to 612 Lewisohn Hall. Students will receive a confirmation email from the Office of Academic Affairs upon approval of their applications. Questions regarding eligibility or the funding process may be directed to [email protected].
Research
Any research that involves people can be considered human subjects research in a broad sense. Students who are interested in conducting independent research that will involve participants answering questions, completing surveys, filling out forms, following instructions, and/or being observed, or that involves receiving data about identifiable individuals, may need special approval.
All universities have an Institutional Review Board (IRB), which reviews research proposals involving humans and assesses whether or not the research can be approved. The approval is dependent upon the risk of harm to the research subjects.
This risk of harm can be physical, psychological, legal, or social and it is the job of the Columbia IRB to protect those who have voluntarily donated their time (even if they are compensated) in order to take part in any research that is conducted by a member of Columbia University.
Taking seriously the well-being of research participants is part of what makes a good researcher and a good research project.
Requesting IRB Approval
Students submitting proposed research for approval by the Institutional Review Board must:
- Complete the online Human Subjects Protection Training. [Instructions]
- Identify a CU faculty member as a Principal Investigator.
- Complete the Undergraduate Study IRB Approval Request Form.
- Create a consent form. (Samples are available on the Columbia IRB website.)
- File a Conflict of Interests Disclosure Statement.
- Create a research protocol in RASCAL. [Instructions]
- Attach to your RASCAL protocol your completed approval request form and any necessary supplemental documentation (for example, research instrument and consent form).
Contact
Questions should be addressed to the faculty advisor overseeing the research or to Victoria Rosner, Dean of Academic Affairs, at [email protected].