University Research Council

The University Research Council is charged with deciding where and how university funds should be appointed to faculty doing research. 

UCA Graduate School research activity funding is distributed through the URC in four ways:

1. URC Faculty Research Proposals: Faculty may apply for grants up to $10,000 to pursue research, artistic endeavors, or creative activities.
2. URC Summer Stipends: Faculty may apply for a $3,000 stipend to support research projects or creative activities during the summer term.
3. URC/College Research Dissemination Grants: Each college receives an annual block grant of funds. Requests and disbursements for travel grants to disseminate research are managed through the individual colleges, not the URC. Awards vary.
4. Student Research Fund: Students may apply for a department cost-matching grant (up to $400) to cover expenses incurred in conducting and disseminating research and other scholarly or creative activities.

Research Funding Guidebook: Your One-Stop Resource
Click here to access the comprehensive Research Funding Guidebook, your essential resource for all URC funding opportunities, including the following:

• Faculty Research Grants
• Summer Stipends
• Student Research and Travel Grants

This guidebook contains detailed information on:

• Procedures and policies for each funding opportunity
• Step-by-step application processes

Important: All URC funding applications must be submitted through this guidebook. Start your funding journey here!

URC Members
The URC consists of representatives from the five colleges (Science and Engineering, Education, Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences, Business, and Health & Behavioral Sciences), two at-large members, and the Graduate Dean as permanent chair. College representatives chair their College Research Committees. All members, including the two Faculty Senate At-Large positions, serve three-year terms. This structure ensures diverse academic representation in research funding decisions.