Curiosity Grants are geared toward student-created research or creative projects with faculty mentorship. Examples of expenses the grants may cover include: conference fees, special software for theater light design, group presentations, tools and supplies for physical projects, lighting, small 3-D printers, materials, survey incentives, and submission fees. Curiosity Grants will not be awarded as form of payment for uncompensated research.
These small grants do not exceed $500 and each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Processing time depends on the volume of applications and how quickly materials are submitted to the OUR, so this grant (if awarded) should be treated as reimbursement, not an advance.
Who Should Apply?
Any Dietrich School and College of General Studies (CGS) undergraduate who:
- Needs financial support to take independent research, scholarship, or a creative idea to the next level
- Can find a faculty mentor within the appropriate discipline area of the research topic or creative project
Application Materials
- Curiosity Grant Cover Page: Fill out the PDF form
- Research Proposal: Describe your project in 2-3 pages (excluding citations) typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font with 1-inch margins
- Appendices and addendum are not allowed
- Proposed Budget: Outline your budget and clearly state the amount you are requesting
- Letter of Support: Supplied by a faculty sponsor/mentor who speaks to how the funding will provide enhancements to the research or project provided by the requested funding.
- Faculty sponsor/mentor should email their letter of support directly to our@pitt.edu by posted deadline
- For Research with Human Subjects: All students whose research will involve human subjects, or the analysis of data and/or samples from humans, must consult with the University of Pittsburgh Human Research Protection Office (HRPO).
- You must consult with the HRPO before conducting any research activities to determine if an IRB submission is needed and what type of IRB review is required. Please see the Student Research guidance on the HRPO website.
- Contact askirb@pitt.edu with questions and for a consultation about your project
The application for Curiosity Grants is closed and will reopen in Fall 202#. Check back closer to the Fall term for specific dates.