Funding
One of the goals of the UR2PhD program is to expand the number of students applying for and pursuing graduate study in a CISE discipline. In support of this goal, UR2PhD offers four primary activities, including an undergraduate research training course, a graduate student mentor training course, the computing research engagement and awareness workshops, and the graduate school application workshops.
Through the undergraduate research training and the workshops, the program team intends to encourage students to participate in research, build a research identity, and eventually pursue graduate study.
To facilitate continued research activities, UR2PhD offers students who have successfully completed the undergraduate research training course and faculty mentors of those students the opportunity to apply for funding to continue their research in the form of an REU.
REU Funding
Application Deadlines
Applications for summer 2025 will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage students to apply as soon as they have confirmed their project and secured a mentor.
In recognition that many students are deadline-driven, we recommend applying by the following dates:
- Summer 2025 funding: apply by Thursday, May 1, 2025
- 2025-2026 academic year funding: apply by Monday, September 1, 2025
Eligibility
Funding is limited to students who have successfully completed the UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Training Course (previously known as Undergraduate Research Methods Course).
The UR2PhD program especially encourages applications from Black, Latinx, and Native American women and gender-marginalized individuals.
Expectations
Students who receive REU funding will be responsible for completing several “milestones” in order to receive their stipend(s).
Stipends are not for qualified tuition and related expenses, but instead represent compensation for participation and services rendered as a condition of participating in the UR2PhD program. Stipends are reportable as gross income, but not as wages. By accepting this role and participating in the UR2PhD program, independent contractors recognize that CRA is not required to withhold any taxes, and no such withholding shall be done. CRA will issue 1099’s to independent contractors. It is the responsibility of each recipient to properly report the award as taxable income on their tax return for the year in which it was received.
Stipends
The REU funding for a full REU (400 hours) is an $8,000 stipend for students. Options include:
- Summer (40 hours per week for 10 weeks) = $8,000
- Academic Year (10 hours per week for 40 weeks) = $8,000
- Academic Year (one-term / 10 hours per week for 20 weeks) = $4,000
Stipends will be split into four payments, amounting to a total of $8,000 (full = 400 hours). REUs proposing fewer hours, if approved, would have the stipend amount reduced accordingly. NOTE: “Milestones” must be complete in order to receive the stipend(s).
| Stipend Amount | Milestones / Requirements |
|---|---|
| $1,500 | To receive the first stipend, students must:
– Sign and return the Letter of Agreement / Independent Contractor’s Agreement (ICA) – Agree to CRA’s Code of Conduct – Participate in the student webinar / onboarding session – Join the Canvas course – Complete the Pre-REU survey – Submit relevant tax documentation (W-9 / W-8BEN and Direct Deposit) – Create / Set-up the research journal |
| $2,000 | To receive the second stipend, students must:
– Actively participate in their REU – Submit their research journal reflections for weeks 1-3 |
| $2,000 | To receive the third stipend, students must:
– Actively participate in their REU – Submit their research journal reflections for weeks 4-7 |
| $2,500 | To receive the fourth stipend, students must:
– Actively participate in their REU – Submit research journal reflections for weeks 8-10 – Submit a final research report – Complete post-REU survey – (Optional) Create a poster |
Have questions about this opportunity? Reach out to our team at ur2phd@cra.org with the subject line: “UR2PhD – REU Funding Application”
Technical Conference Travel Funding
Application Deadlines
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage students to apply as soon as they have been offered an opportunity to present at a technical conference.
Eligibility
Funding is limited to students who meet the following criteria:
- Student successfully completed the UR2PhD Graduate Student Mentor Training Course or the UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Training Course
- Student completed a research experience
- Student was invited to present at a technical conference (e.g. student was accepted to present a poster or give a talk)
Expectations
Students who are selected to receive a Technical Conference Travel support will be expected to include the UR2PhD logo on their poster / presentation materials, as well as provide a testimonial about the experience after their travel.
Awards
Students who are approved for an award will be able to submit up to $2,000 in reimbursements. All awardees must follow the CRA Uniform Travel Policy.
Have questions about this opportunity? Reach out to our team at ur2phd@cra.org with the subject line: “UR2PhD – Technical Conference Travel Funding”
Faculty mentors of students who completed the undergraduate research training course may also be eligible for funding. Learn more: https://cra.org/ur2phd/for-faculty-mentors/funding/
UR2PhD: Undergraduate Research Methods Course by Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program. This work, “UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Methods Course”, is adapted from “Early Research Scholars Program” by Christine Alvarado, UC San Diego, used under CC BY 4.0. “UR2PhD Undergraduate Research Scholars” is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
UR2PhD: Graduate Student Mentor Training Course by Computing Research Association’s UR2PhD Program is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
