The URC provides funds to support projects and/or travel involving independent research or study with a significant intercultural or international emphasis through the ASP Research Travel program.
Lillian Calvert ’25 traveled to Peru in the summer of 2024 to explore the different modes of sustainable agriculture being implemented by local farms. She visited three different regions to learn about the history of these techniques and how to put them into practice. Lillian worked on two different farms in both the Amazon and the Apurimac regions. She learned a great deal about sustainability, plant medicine, and environmental stewardship from the people she had the opportunity to live and work with in Peru. To view her work, click here.
Take a look at our latest newsletter highlighting some Winter Break projects.
ASP Research Travel Grant Funding, Eligibility, Requirement
The ASP Research Travel awards are designed to support research projects that involve smaller-scale travel compared to traditional study abroad or off-campus learning opportunities, such as a semester abroad or the Kahane Oxy-at-the-U.N. Program.
These awards provide funding for short-term travel to conduct interviews, observe natural or cultural events, or visit specialized archives. It's important to note that ASP Research Travel funds cannot be used to support internships or pay tuition at another institution. Other restrictions may also apply.
Funding is limited, with grants available for up to $2000 for projects during the winter, spring, or summer breaks. In exceptional circumstances, grant requests totaling more than this amount may be considered if accompanied by a full expense breakdown in the required budget form. Full-time, continuing students at Oxy from any major are encouraged to apply.
- Related interdisciplinary project proposals are encouraged, but each student must apply individually and each project must be able to be carried out independently in case the related project is not approved.
- Students must disclose any other college funding secured, promised, or applied for in budget form when applying for college-supported funding.
- Proposals for joint projects will be eligible for funding but will require special consideration. Each researcher should submit their own proposal while acknowledging the contributions of their fellow team members. Each team member should approach the research from a unique perspective and be prepared to independently pursue their work in the event that other members do not receive funding.
- Approval for projects involving international travel may take up to six weeks. This process includes the URC application review, IPO travel clearance, and IRB approval if necessary. Conditional funding approval must be followed by completion of the IPO travel clearance and/or IRB requirements before travel is authorized. Funds will be released only after the approvals are sent to urc@oxy.edu.
- If your project requires IRB approval, you must obtain it before starting the project.
- Students who have been selected for an award that involves traveling abroad, are required to adhere to the College's clearance process using Oxy Global Projects Clearance. This can be a lengthy process and must be completed before the departure date and release of the funds. The deadline to submit the IPO clearance is provided below and will also be specified in the award letter.
- Please note that the College does not guarantee approval for travel to all countries and specifically prohibits travel to level 3 or 4 locations. Your application may be declined or prior approval rescinded if we determine that your proposed travel will put you at significant risk. For further details about the Student Travel Abroad Policy, please visit the IPO website.
Application
Complete the Google form application. At the end of the form, you will need to upload your application packet merged as a single PDF file, saved as LastName, FirstName_ASPResearch.pdf, in this order:
- Project Description: (Limited to two pages, written by the applicant.) The project description must begin with a clear, one-sentence research question or project goal that you expect to address throughout your project. This should be followed by an elaboration of the project, a discussion of its importance, an explanation of the methodology you expect to use, a review of prior investigations by you or others, and literature citations where appropriate (for tables, figures, and quotes).
- Personal Statement: (Limited to two pages, written by the applicant.) The personal statement should describe prior work that prepares the student for the proposed project and the importance of the proposed activity to the student's intellectual or professional development.
- Itemized Budget: (prepared by the applicant.) Use the URC ASP Budget form to provide a detailed list of all project costs. The fillable PDF form is available for download. Note: Budgets should reflect the project's total cost and funding expected from other sources should be listed.
- Mentor: Must complete the Mentor Support Form by the deadline.
We will only consider applicants who have met the necessary IRB and international travel clearance requirements if required.
Deadlines
| URC application deadline: | URC Notification will be sent by: | If Traveling abroad, IPO Travel Clearance is due by: | |
| For Winter Break projects: (Dec. 13 - Jan. 20) | October 24, 2024 | October 28, 2024 | October 31, 2024 |
| For Spring Break projects: (March 8-16) | January 21, 2025 | January 27, 2025 | January 31, 2025 |
| For Summer Break projects: (May 10 - Aug.) | March 24, 2025 | March 28, 2025 | April 1, 2025 |
Due by 5:00 PM local time on the specified due date.
The final report is due no later than two weeks after you return from your travel.