Faculty Research Assistance Program (FRAP)
The Faculty Research Assistance Program is intended to provide opportunities for undergraduates to gain valuable experience in research methodology while earning academic credit, and to provide faculty members with undergraduate research assistance. To participate, students must identify a faculty member in their area of interest who is seeking research assistance, complete a "research assistance contract" and enroll in the appropriate department course designated for this program (usually, 99RA/199RA or 99/199). The URCA Office publishes the FRAP Directory which lists the current projects of participating faculty and senior researchers with whom the student might work. For information on getting credit for a research assistantship, please contact the undergraduate advisor in the appropriate department.

Awards for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities
(URCA Grant) – Fall ONLY

Awards for research and creative activities, including research-related domestic travel, are available to UCSB undergraduates regardless of class standing, major, or college affiliation. Students who are currently engaged in, or plan to initiate a departmental Distinction in the Major, Honors, or Senior Thesis project during the academic year should consider applying, using the on-line process. The complete proposal packet must be submitted electronically by the appropriate deadline date, as listed below.

General Information:  The University of California, Santa Barbara actively supports the efforts of undergraduate students to pursue meaningful research and creative activities under faculty supervision.  The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) Unit in the College of Letters and Science sponsors student projects with funding from university, federal and private sources.  A single application is used for all available funding sources.  The maximum award is $500 per project.  NOTE: Students who received an URCA grant are expected to present their work at the Undergraduate Research Colloquium in May.

General Requirements:  To be eligible for a URCA grant, the applicant must be an enrolled student in good academic standing at UCSB and remain so throughout the funding period.  Awards are not given retroactively for completed projects.  All funding applications require a letter of support for the student and project from the faculty mentor.  Students are encouraged to seek out a faculty member to supervise their projects.  Likewise, faculty members are invited to identify promising undergraduate researchers and to assist them in developing proposals.  To receive an award, prospective applicants must meet the general requirements and the criteria for at least one of the available funding sources.  Individual funding sources may have additional criteria, such as minimum grade point average or major restrictions.


Application Date
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

URCA Mini Grant - SUSPENDED
Financial support for students chosen to present their work at local or national conferences is available to all UCSB undergraduates, regardless of class standing, major or college affiliation. The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Unit offers mini grants (up to $50) to cover the cost of the conference fee or other out-of-pocket expenses. Funds for this purpose are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. If approved, funding will be transferred to the mentor's department for distribution. Students seeking funding in excess of $50 must submit their request as part of the regular URCA grant proposal process.

General Requirements for a Mini Grant: To be eligible for an URCA mini grant, the applicant must be an enrolled UCSB undergraduate in good academic standing and maintain undergraduate status at UCSB while attending the conference. Awards are for students participating in the conference (i.e. presenting a paper or making a poster presentation). Attendance without participation will not be supported. Awards are not given retroactively. All applications

The Following materials must be provided:
· Mini Grant Informational Form
· Copy of the letter inviting you to present
· Information on the expected costs for attending the conference
· Letter of support from your faculty mentor

Where to submit:
Hand Delivered: 1117 Cheadle Hall

Campus Mail:
Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Unit
College of Letters and Science
Mail Code: 2085

Alternative Funding Sources

On-Campus Check With:
· College Undergraduate Office
· Departmental Undergraduate Advisor (for major and minor)
· Organized Research Units (ORU)
· Individual Faculty