University at Buffalo (UB)
Project & Conference Funding
Apply for funding to support your mentored projects or conference presentations.
Applications Closed
Applications are closed for the 2023-2024 academic year. Deadlines for 2024-2025 will be posted in August.
Apply for Funding
Project funding is available to make undergraduate experiential learning possible, and can be used for materials and supplies needed to accomplish the project goals. Conference funding is available to undergraduate students to present their work at academic and professional conferences.
Individuals and Groups
- Both individual students and groups of students can use the funding applications below.
- Maximum funding amounts for projects and conferences are:
- $750 for individuals
- $1,000 for groups
If you start a funding application form and need to stop for any reason, you can click "Save and Resume Later" to generate a unique link. You can use that link anytime within 30 days to complete your submission.
Deadlines
Online applications for funding (form and signature page) are due on or before the following dates no later than 4:00 p.m.
- October 4, 2023
- November 1, 2023
- February 14, 2024
- April 3, 2024
Signature Forms
Signature Forms
Signature forms must be submitted via email to ubeln@buffalo.edu before your funding application is considered complete.
What You Should Know Before Getting Started
1. Confirm your eligibility for funding.
- To be eligible for project and conference funding, you must be an undergraduate student (not have earned your bachelor's degree).
- To be eligible for project funding, you must complete the Preparation Phase of an ELN Digital Badge before submitting your funding application. Only students who have completed the Preparation Phase are eligible for funding.
- If you are part of a group, each member of the group must complete the Preparation Phase of the ELN Digital Badge individually.
- If your project is listed on the Project Portal, follow the "Start the project" instructions on the project listing.
- If your project is NOT listed on the Project Portal, use the button below to begin (project funding only).
- To be eligible for conference funding, you must submit proof that you have been accepted to present at the conference. Your acceptance email will satisfy this requirement.
2. Preview the application form and gather information prior to starting your submission.
3. Review the proposal evaluation criteria.
Funding applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- Completed application: All sections have been thoroughly completed on or before the funding deadline.
- Signature page: Completed signature page submitted on or before the funding deadline.
- Quality of writing: Well-written with very few, if any, errors. Strong evidence of proofreading. (Center for Excellence in Writing is available to support the development of your application.)
- Project description: The project description is well-composed, professional, and demonstrates sufficient research and preparation by the student.
- Clarity of methods: Methods are described clearly, detailing what the students will be doing over the course of the project and how they will be performing these tasks.
- Broader impacts: Broader impacts clearly describe how project will both enhance student learning and bring new information to the field.
- Overall budget quality: Budget is itemized with links or catalogue numbers for specific items.
- Funding justification: There is a well-researched explanation of why each individual budget item is necessary to complete the project.
Note: Funds must be used to support student projects directly and cannot be used to build out faculty lab or research infrastructure. If you are unsure if a specific budget item is allowable, please contact our office prior to submission for clarification.
4. Ensure you submit the appropriate signature form to finalize your application.
- Your funding application will not be complete until you email the appropriate signature form to ubeln@buffalo.edu by the funding deadline.
5. Funding Timeline
- After the funding deadline, the ELN staff will review all applications and email you directly with a funding decision. This can take 1-2 weeks, depending on the volume of submissions.
- After funding decisions are announced, the transfer of funds may take several weeks.
Project Funding
To be eligible for project funding, each student applying must complete the Preparation Phase of an ELN Digital Badge.
Conference Funding
To be eligible for conference funding, you must be accepted to present at a conference.