Undergraduate Funding
Expanding horizons
Franco Institute undergraduate grants enable Arts and Letters students to transcend the conventional boundaries of classroom learning and engage in hands-on research and creative projects.
Undergraduate research grants give students the opportunity to design all aspects of their projects, from identifying a research topic or creative goal to developing a persuasive narrative, reasonable timetable, and appropriate budget.
Depending on the student's prior experience and needs, the institute offers multiple grant opportunities to support a wide array of needs associated with undergraduate projects. Please see individual awards for deadlines and grant-specific information. Funding priority will be given to those who have not yet received a grant from the institute.
Undergraduate Public Humanities Internships
Timing: Academic Year
$1,000
October 9, 2026
The Undergraduate Public Humanities Internship is a competitively awarded, paid and placed internship for undergraduates in the College of Arts & Letters interested in using their expertise to engage with and serve their community.
Senior Thesis Grant
Timing: Academic Year, Summer
Up to $2,500
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Seniors must apply by January 31, 2027; Juniors must apply by March 12, 2027.
Senior Thesis Grants support research conducted to fulfill the requirements for a thesis for Arts and Letters students
Research and Materials Grant
Timing: Academic Year
Up to $1,800
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until March 12, 2027; Seniors must apply by January 31.
Research and Materials Grants support research activities and creative endeavors of Arts and Letters Students
Diana M. Sciola Grant
Timing: Academic Year, Summer
Up to $5,000
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until March 5, 2027; Seniors must apply by January 31.
The Diana M. Sciola Endowment for Excellence supports projects that study the various ways in which the Catholic tradition has influenced art throughout the ages
American Dream Grant
Timing: Summer
Up to $5,000
March 19, 2027
The American Dream Summer Grant Program, sponsored by the Prochaska Family, supports research or creative projects on topics exploring the American Dream.
DaVinci Multidisciplinary Grant
Timing: Summer
Up to $5,000
March 12, 2027
This grant supports interdisciplinary research that crosses the social science and humanities disciplines with the sciences. It is open to students in the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Science.
Summer Comprehensive Grant
Timing: Summer
Up to $5,000
March 27, 2026
The Summer Comprehensive Grant supports a broad array of Arts and Letters research and creative projects
Conference Presentation Grant
Timing: Academic Year, Summer
Up to $1,500
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, until April 15. Students must submit their application at least one month in advance of domestic conference presentations. For graduating seniors, the conference needs to take place by May 1.
Conference Presentation Grants support opportunities for undergraduates to present their work – commonly a paper or poster – at domestic and international conferences.
Kennedy Scholars Fellowship
Timing: Academic Year, Summer
Up to $5,000
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Specific deadlines apply to projects involving travel (see details). Deadline for summer funding is May 1, 2027.
The Kennedy Scholars Fellowship supports senior thesis research projects from students who participated in the London Global Gateway's Kennedy Scholars Seminar after their semester in London has ended.