Project Funding

Maximum Award: $750.

There are three required components for the Individual Project Funding Application:

1. Online Application

• Complete and submit the application form by the deadline.

2. Project Funding Signature Form (Individual)

• Download and complete the signature form by the deadline.
• All required fields and signatures must be completed before upload.
• Upload the completed form as part of your online application.

Note: If you begin the application and need to stop, select “Save and Resume Later” to generate a unique link. You may return to your application using that link within 30 days.

3. Complete the Preparation Phase of an Undergraduate Research Digital Badge

• Before submitting your funding application, you must:
  • Sign up for an Undergraduate Research digital badge.
  • Complete the two required activities in the Preparation Phase.
• How to sign up:
  • If your project is listed on the Project Opportunities page, follow the “Start the Project” instructions in the listing.
  •  If your project is not listed, you may access the sign-up form directly (link forthcoming).
  • Within 1-2 business days of submitting your sign-up form, you will receive an email confirming your enrollment in the digital badge through UBLearns. You must log in to the digital badge tonUBLearns and complete the intake form and the two preparation-phase activities by the funding deadline.

Maximum award: $1,000 per group.

There are three required components for the Group Project Funding Application:

1. Online Application

• Complete and submit one application form per group by the deadline.

2. Project Funding Signature Form (Group)

• Download and complete the group signature form by the deadline.
• All required fields and signatures must be completed before upload.

Note: If you begin the application and need to stop, select “Save and Resume Later” to generate a unique link. You may return to your application using that link within 30 days.

3. Complete the Preparation Phase of an Undergraduate Research Digital Badge

• Before submitting the funding application: 
  • Every group member must sign up for an Undergraduate Research digital badge.
  • Every group member must complete the two required Preparation Phase activities.
• How to sign up:
  • If your project is listed on the Project Opportunities page, follow the “Start the Project” instructions in the listing.
  • If your project is not listed, you may access the sign-up form directly (link).
  • Within 1–2 business days of submitting your sign-up form, each member will receive an email confirming enrollment via UBLearns. You must log in to the digital badge on UBLearns and complete the intake form and the two preparation-phase activities by the funding deadline. 

To apply, you must:

• Be a current UB undergraduate student.
• Apply for funding for a project that has not previously received Office for Undergraduate Research funding. (Funding is awarded once per project.)
• Earn an Undergraduate Research digital badge before applying for any Office for Undergraduate Research funding opportunities.

Funding applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Complete application: All materials received on or before the deadline.
• Signature form: Completed and submitted on or before the deadline.
• Quality of writing: All responses are clear, professional and well-written with evidence of proofreading. (The Center for Excellence in Writing is available to support the development of your application.)
• Project description: Should be well-composed, professionally written, and demonstrate sufficient research and preparation. 
• Clarity of methods: Provide a clear explanation of the research methods you plan to use, including what you will do and how you will do it.
• Transformational learning: Clearly explain how this project will enhance your academic experience and contribute new information to the field.  
• Budget quality: The proposed budget is itemized, accurate and well-documented with proof of the exact cost for each item.
• Funding justification: Clearly describe each requested budget item and explain how it supports or enables the proposed project activities.

Note: Funds must directly support the proposed activities and may not be used to build out faculty lab or research infrastructure. If you are unsure whether a specific budget item is allowable, contact our office before submission.

• Applications are reviewed after each deadline.
• A funding decision will be emailed to you within 1–2 weeks.
• After awards are announced, the transfer of funds may take several additional weeks.

Please note that there are no exceptions to this timeline.