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Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards

Students should read the Policies for Grants to understand the expectations for applicants and awardees before applying. Only applications which are compliant with all policies will be considered eligible for review. 

The application portal has now closed. Applications for the 23-24 cycle were due by 11:59pm on January 24, 2024.

Decisions for this year's competition will be communicated by the end of Friday, March 1, 2024.


Overview

Made possible through the generosity of the late David A. Harrison, III and his family, the Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards fund outstanding undergraduate research projects each year. Student applicants will propose a substantial and significant research project under the supervision of a UVA faculty mentor to be carried out in the summer following application for the award.

Faculty Mentor

Interested students should discuss the proposed project with a UVA faculty mentor who will advise them in their work early in the process of developing a proposal. The UVA faculty mentor will be asked to complete the Research Mentor Support Form via the application, commenting on the student's proposal in no more than 500 words and, upon the project's completion, will submit a brief narrative assessment of the student's project.

Funding

Harrison Awardees may be granted up to $5,000 to pursue their objectives, and faculty mentors receive research support in the amount of $500.

The Harrison supports undergraduate researchers by providing a summertime stipend to cover living expenses (rent, utilities, food, etc.). The Harrison does not fund other expenses such as travel, supplies, etc.

Eligibility

Current first-, second-, and third-year undergraduate students are eligible to apply for a Harrison Award. The program welcomes proposals from all subject areas and schools at the university.

Application Process

Students will submit a project proposal, timeline, resume, and unofficial transcript. Applicants will also be asked to provide the contact information for their UVA faculty mentor, who will complete the Research Mentor Support Form, and for another individual (who is not their faculty mentor) who can complete the Recommendation Form, speaking to their qualities as a student and/or researcher. Faculty reviewers will assess each application based on merit, taking into account such considerations as clarity of the research question, appropriateness of methodology, the project’s feasibility, and the applicant’s preparation for undertaking the project.

The project proposal is expected to be written in the style of a grant application. Proposals should not exceed 2 pages (single-spaced, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins) and should include the following sections:

  • background and question(s)
  • method(s) 
  • anticipated outcome(s) - which may also address potential limitations of the study
  • significance of the work.

Proposals should be uniformly cited using a citation style appropriate to the field of the project and include a bibliography (which will not count toward the page limit).

Submitting Joint Applications

Applicants wishing to apply together should submit a single application. The proposal should explain each applicant’s role in the research. The project should have a single UVA faculty mentor; the Research Mentor Support Form must discuss both applicants. Individual components of the joint application that must be provided for each applicant include: the Recommendation Form (to be completed by individuals other than the research mentor); transcripts; resumes; and a discussion of relevant background and coursework. The total budget may not exceed $5,000. The application will be assessed as a single application.

Consideration for Other Awards

Students proposing Harrison projects that fall within the scope of the Kenan Award are encouraged to apply for that opportunity. More information about the Kenan Award can be found HERE.

The Harrison Undergraduate Research Award has attracted the support of other generous donors who have allowed our office to support more students. The following endowments support awards made as part of the Harrison process. Students funded by a source other than the Harrison will be made aware when awarded.

  • The Stull Family Award supports students who are active members of fraternities and sororities. Students indicate eligiblity for the Stull Family Award in the Harrison application.

Harrison Award Recipient Projects