There are a variety of different sources that fund research. On this page, we have sorted funding opportunities into "Internal" and "External" funding.
Internal funding means that only West Chester University Students are eligible.
External funding means that all graduate students are eligible (not only West Chester University students).
The Council on Undergraduate Research offers a variety of resources for supporting undergraduate students who are conducting faculty-mentored research. Explore their job boards to browse research opportunities, internships, and more.
Federal work study programs are available to eligible graduate and undergraduate students who are in need of financial support. At WCU, we have a database of work study positions by department for you to browse. Some of these positions offer paid research or creative activity experience. If you are interested in pursuing a work study position, reach out to the Financial Aid office to identify your next steps.
The RAM Research Directory is a tool designed to connect researchers, help students find faculty mentors, and provide a listing for student research and creative activity opportunities (paid and unpaid) that are currently available. To learn more about the RAM Research Directory, click the "Getting Involved" tab on the left side of the page.
The Summer 2025 Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI), is a 5 week program running from May 27, 2025 – June 27, 2025. Students who are chosen to participate in the program will receive a research stipend of $2,500. To be eligible, students must be available 37.5 hours/week throughout its five-week duration.
Applications are currently closed. Come back in Spring of 2026!
The Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF) scholarship is for $4,000, and also includes an invitation to present research findings at a US Composting Council Annual Conference during a CREF research session.
The goal of this scholarship is to bring assistance to students doing compost-related research and to spark interest in future careers in the composting industry.
Some of West Chester University's colleges have funds for undergraduate student research. Please check out your college's website (linked below) to explore resources and funding opportunities. Be sure to also look at your specific department's website, to see if any funding opportunities are listed there.
West Chester University invites applications for our Spring 2025 Student Research and Creative Activity Awards (SRCA). The purpose of the SRCA is to recognize outstanding graduate and undergraduate students who have COMPLETED original research or creative projects in collaboration with a faculty mentor. Student awardees will be given monetary awards. Students must be enrolled at the university during the Spring 2025 semester to be eligible to apply.
Applications are currently closed. Come back in Spring of 2026!
The Student Undergraduate Research Foundations (SURF) award chosen undergraduate applicants a $500 stipend to work on research and creative activity projects under the mentorship of a WCU faculty member for 5 hours/week for ten weeks during the Spring semester. Applications for the Spring 2025 semester are currently closed.
Interested in pursuing this opportunity in the Spring 2026 semester? Check back in Fall 2025!