» Student Research and Project Grants

• Applicants must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per semester.
• Applicants must be enrolled and active in a Fowler School of Engineering major (*for Make-a-Thon requests, applicants do not need to be in the Fowler School of Engineering).
• Applicants must be in good academic standing with the University.
• All students who are awarded a Fowler Engineering Grant for faculty-mentored research are required to present their work at the Chapman University Student Scholar Symposium during the academic year in which they received their award. 
• For research grants, applicants must include a letter of support from their research mentor. 
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

iRAD
Designed to more effectively support students from groups typically underrepresented in engineering research, the Inclusive Research and Development (iRAD) program provides funds for faculty-mentored student research experiences. Allowable uses of funds include student salaries, materials, supplies, equipment, software, participant costs, and any other categories typically supported by federal grants. A faculty advisor is not required when applying to the iRAD program. We will help you find a faculty advisor if awarded. This program will resume in Fall 2023.

HireRight Data Science Research
Thanks to the generosity of a key industry partner, the HireRight Data Science awards support faculty-mentored student research in data science and related disciplines. Allowable uses of funds include student salaries, materials, supplies, equipment, software, participant costs, and any other categories typically supported by federal grants. Proposal deadlines listed above.

Research Excellence
Our most prestigious research award, the Research Excellence Awards support faculty-mentored student research for our students who hold the greatest promise for outstanding research achievement. Additionally, the top applicants each year will be named “Robert Day Awardees” to acknowledge the generosity of Mr. Robert Day in supporting the research mission of Fowler Engineering. Allowable uses of funds include student salaries, materials, supplies, equipment, software, participant costs, and any other categories typically supported by federal grants. Proposal deadlines listed above.

Independent Projects
Students who have amazing ideas for independent projects or entrepreneurial pursuits should apply for an Independent Project award. These awards are designed to support materials, supplies, consumables, and equipment usage fees in the Tech Shop and/or D/C/I Shops in Swenson Hall. Limited funds may also be available to seed student-led entrepreneurial or start-up efforts. Proposal deadlines listed above.

Make-a-Thon
These awards are designed to support materials, supplies, consumables, and equipment usage fees for independent projects to be displayed at Fowler Engineering's Make-a-Thon. Project proposals must follow guidelines outlined by the Tech Shop and D/C/I Lab. Funding is not limited to Fowler Engineering majors and presentation at the Student Scholar Symposium is not required.

Complete the application form below and upload supporting documentation. ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED AS PDF (with the exception of the Budget Justification form).

1. Research Proposal 
   • Title 
   • Requestor Name (include additional names if there are co-investigators)
   • Name of Faculty or Staff Advisor (if applicable)
     
   • Introduction/Background (250 words max)
   • Specific Goals/Aims of the Research (100 words max)
   • Project Narrative (500 words max)
   • Conclusions/Future Outlook (250 words max)
   • Cited References (if applicable)
     
2. Project Proposal
   • Title
   • Requestor Name (include additional names if multiple students are collaborating on the project)
   • Project Concept and Purpose (100 words max) 
   • Proposed Design/Construction (250 words max)
   • Required Equipment/Tools
   • Future Outlook (100 words max) 
   • Include any relevant CAD drawings or other design assets as separate uploaded files
     
3. Brief Letter of Support from faculty or staff advisor (required if an advisor has been identified)
   
4. Budget Justification (for Maker Expo, use the attached excel template) 
5. Hazardous materials and/or IRB approval, if applicable