Research and Creative Activity Funding Opportunities

As a Commonwealth Honors College student, you can apply for our competitive research grants and fellowships to support research for your honors thesis or to gain experience in research in your academic field.

Commonwealth Honors College offers two competitive funding possibilities to help you turn your idea into reality: Honors Research/Creative Activity Grants and Research/Creative Activity Fellowships. In addition to acquiring financing to purchase equipment or to work in a faculty member’s lab, you’ll also learn how to successfully apply for grants, gain hands-on research experience, and present your research findings. Remember, you are paving the way to a successful research project while gaining expertise that will help you stand out on a graduate school or job application.

You’ll apply for our research grants and fellowships through CHC’s PATHS portal.

Commonwealth Honors College is pleased to offer a variety of grants to support your academic progress from meeting faculty through completion and presentation of your Honors thesis. Application to most of these funds are through Academic Works. Log into Academic Works and fill out the General UMass application, then search for the relevant fund.  

CHC Conference Travel Grants 

Eligible CHC students can apply online through AcademicWorks for travel funding to cover costs like airfare, lodging, transportation, meals, and conference registration. Whether you're presenting or attending a conference related to your academic interests, this grant has you covered. $400 for students attending a conference and $750 for students accepted to present at a conference. Funds are intended for future attendance; applications for retroactive funding will be considered in May if there is sufficient funding. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply early! 

CHC Finish Strong Honors Thesis Awards 

Students enrolled in their Honors Thesis can apply through AcademicWorks for a one-time $2,500 stipend to help with any costs they may have while completing their thesis. This flexible funding can be used for research materials, personal expenses, or anything else that helps you get over the finish line. The fund is open to students in all majors. One award per school/college. Selected students must sign a participant agreement. 

CHC Lunch & Learn Connection Grants 

CHC students can fill out this simple Google Form to receive meal cards to invite a faculty member to lunch. This grant covers the cost of meals for both the student and the professor, with the goal of fostering meaningful connections outside the classroom. One award per student, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. A brief followup survey is required.  

MassURC Poster Printing Grant  

CHC students presenting their research at the Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference can apply through AcademicWorks starting in early April for a grant to cover the cost of printing their presentation poster. The process is simple: once approved, students can submit their poster for printing at UMass’s Digital Media Lab in the DuBois Library . Apply early to ensure your poster is ready for your presentation!