GCSP research stipend

The Spring 2025 application is now closed!

Funding innovation

The purpose of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, or GCSP, research stipend research funding is to support students conducting research in their Grand Challenge theme areas. The $1600 research stipend will be for one semester only and is not renewable.

Up to $400 is available for materials and supplies.

Eligibility requirements

  • Current GCSP student.
  • Completed at least 12 credit hours at ASU.
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
  • Making progress toward achieving GCSP competencies (minimum requirement: successfully completed FSE 150 Perspectives on Grand Challenges for Engineering, FSE 250 GCSP Gold and FSE 350 GCSP Maroon based on class level).
  • Will be working on research that is related to the Grand Challenges themes (health, sustainability, security and joy of living).
  • Currently not receiving research funding from any other sources such as FURI, REU or any others.

GCSP research stipend requirements

Commitments

  1. Commit to working the entire funded semester on the research project.
  2. Meet with the mentor during the first week of the semester to develop a research plan and work schedule (expect to work approximately five–10 hours per week, depending on mentor’s expectations).
  3. Maintain good standing in the program by meeting regularly with the mentor and performing the research activities.

Complete these deliverables by their deadlines

  1. Submit a one-page mid-semester summary by the deadline.
  2. Submit a 100-word abstract for the Expo Abstract Book.
  3. Participate in the Fulton Forge Student Research Expo on the Tempe campus by creating and presenting a poster displaying your research achievements. Note: If you apply for the summer research stipend, you will participate in the Fall Research Expo.
  4. Other deliverables as assigned on the Canvas course.

Failure to fulfill these requirements may result in the loss of funding.

Application materials

  • Research proposal (two-page limit, plus additional page for references): In your own words explain what the research is, and clearly state the specific research question(s) that you will investigate. Describe your goals in this research, and the activities you will perform to conduct the research. Also describe how the research relates to your Grand Challenge theme.
  • Bibliography (one-page limit): List at least five resources you reviewed that are related to your research area.
  • Timeline: Create a reasonable and descriptive timeline that relates to the proposed research activities for the requested semester.
  • Personal statement: Write about how the proposed research activity relates to your personal and professional goals. Also describe how the research relates to your progress in the Grand Challenges Scholars Program (including how you have been actively engaged in GCSP).
  • Resume: Students will submit a current resume, showing transferable skills and abilities. Contact the Fulton Schools Career Center for help creating or updating your resume.
  • Unofficial transcript: Students will submit an unofficial transcript. Students must be in academic good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for the GCSP research stipend.
  • Faculty mentor proposal support letter: Students will receive approval from their faculty mentor to submit the proposal. Faculty will submit a letter of support through a form.
  • Materials budget: Create a budget for the materials including the item(s), estimated cost and justification for needing it. Students may apply for a maximum of $400 in supply budget funding per semester.

  • Generative AI is a technology that can often be useful in helping students learn theories and concepts. However, the Grand Challenges Scholars Program does not allow the use of generative AI tools for any portion of the Research Stipend application process. Students confirmed to be engaging in non-allowable use of generative AI may be at risk of being ineligible for the Grand Challenges Scholars Program research stipend. 

Application evaluation criteria

  • The research question or hypothesis to be investigated is well-thought out and described.
  • There is a clearly defined research plan that describes the tasks that will be conducted in order to answer the research question.
  • The proposal explicitly states how the research aligns with the student’s Grand Challenge theme.
  • The timetable is descriptive and correlates to the research plan defined in the proposal.
  • The proposal provides a concise review of research previously published relevant to the proposed work with appropriate citations.
  • The personal statement demonstrates that the student is motivated, and aligns the proposed research activities with their experiences in the GCSP as well as their personal and professional goals. This statement should demonstrate that student is actively engaged in making progress toward achieving the GCSP competencies.
  • The resume demonstrates an ability to achieve goals and participation in activities.
  • The overall transcript illustrates good academic standing and the student’s ability to manage the course load and research.
  • The proposal support letter strongly endorses the student’s abilities and preparation for the project and demonstrates a clear commitment toward the student’s project as a mentor.
  • The materials budget is well justified and only includes physical supplies and materials. The materials and supplies proposed are important to the proposed research and align with the objective of the proposed research. The materials budget does not exceed a total of $400 (including shipping and taxes).

Faculty mentorship opportunities

ASU faculty are invited to mentor GCSP students for undergraduate research, funded by the GCSP research stipend. Faculty who provide mentorship through the GCSP research stipend are invited to be designated as GCSP faculty.

Share an undergraduate research opportunity with GCSP students.

Don’t currently have a specific undergraduate research project defined but are still interested in mentoring GCSP students and working with GCSP students? Reach out to [email protected].

Tips for a successful application

Finding a mentor

Preparing the application

  • Objective statement – states the overall objective of the research project, including a research question or hypothesis to be investigated.
  • Background/literature review – describes previous research already conducted on this topic (including citations to prior research in this area is highly recommended), the importance of the proposed work to this field of study and alignment to a Grand Challenge theme.
  • Research plan – describes the tasks that will be conducted in order to complete the research project.
  • Impact of research – describes what benefits to society would result from the successful completion of this project and how the proposed project is related to your Grand Challenge theme.

Proposal structure examples

Example 1

  • Statement of problem.
  • Objectives.
  • Plan of action.
  • Expected outcomes.
  • References.

Example 2

  • Research question.
  • Background.
  • Methodology.
  • Practical applications.
  • Expected results.
If applicable, also be sure to discuss:

  • Who else is involved in the project? How will you define roles?
  • If this is a continuation of current research, describe your progress to date.
  • If including human subjects, include IRB information.
What to consider when developing a proposal:

  • Work with your faculty mentor to understand the research project.
  • Read related literature about the topic.
  • Think about what you plan to work on, why it’s important and how you plan to conduct your research.
  • Be sure your research question is not too large or too small to be completed during your requested semester.
  • Decide how to organize your proposal – which sections will you include?
  • Understand your audience – the Grand Challenges Scholars Research Committee is comprised of several Engineering disciplines.
  • Realize your proposal will be persuasive writing.

When creating your timeline

  • Provide an overview of your specific research steps.
  • Provide details and be realistic.

Writing your personal statement

  • Describe your personal goals and how this research relates to your goals.
  • Describe your interest in participating in the research and how you got interested.
  • Explain how your technical skills will help the research.
  • Describe your involvement in the Grand Challenges Scholars Program and how this research connects to your progress in the program. What experiences have you completed so far in GCSP (and/or plans for future involvement), and in what other ways have you been actively engaged with GCSP?

Preparing a budget

  • Discuss with your faculty mentor possible needed supplies to conduct your research.
  • Search for estimates for proposed supplies.
  • Create a budget that includes the item, estimated cost and justification for needing it.
  • Limit of $400 per semester. Estimate high to account for shipping.
  • Funding cannot be requested for paying research subjects.
  • Funds cannot be spread over several semesters.

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