Many research opportunities are available to students during the academic year. Explore the opportunities listed below for detailed information.
Academic Student Projects (ASP) Grants [URC]
- Funding for consumable research supplies to support independent research and creative work during the academic year.
- Award cap: $300
- Deadlines: Applications are due by 5:00 pm (海角社区 time) on the due date
- Fall 2025: September 22 and October 20
- Spring 2026: December 12 (early decision) and February 13, 2026
Academic Student Projects (ASP) Conference Travel [URC]
- Funding for student registration fees for academic conferences at which they present the results of research they conducted while at Occidental. Conferences such as the and the are funded by the ASP Conference Travel.
- Award cap: $600
- Deadline: 4 weeks before the conference.
- Note: The deadline for requests for the 2025-26 academic year is April 6, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. For updates as the April 6th cutoff approaches, check back here for an announcement about the funds closing.
Academic Student Projects (ASP) Research Travel [URC]
- Funding for projects or travel involving independent research or study with a significant intercultural or international emphasis.
- All fellowships, including international travel, are subject to a pre-departure clearance process through IPO before funding will be awarded.
- Award cap: $2000
- Deadline: Applications are due by 5:00 pm (海角社区 time) on the due date
- For Winter Break projects: October 23, 2025
- For Spring Break projects: January 18, 2026
- For Summer Break projects: March 26, 2026
Science Scholars [URC]
- The highly competitive Science Scholars Fellowships provide a total of $15,000 in research support through the Junior and Senior years for students in STEM.
- Eligibility: Juniors not studying abroad in their Spring semester, majoring in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, cognitive science, computer science, geology, kinesiology, mathematics, physics, or psychology (neuroscience emphasis).
- Deadline: Application opens November 4, 2025 and due on November 15 by 5pm.
Student Research Assistantship Program (SRAP) [URC: Faculty Support]
- Purpose: The URC funds faculty to hire Student Research Assistants (SRAs) during the academic year. SRAs gain research experience and assist with tasks like library research, data analysis, and manuscript preparation, rather than clerical work or teaching support. For more information, please visit the Faculty Support: SRAP website.
- Eligibility: All full-time students in good academic standing are eligible to apply. All full-time faculty are eligible to apply.
- Application: Faculty mentors must submit the on behalf of their pre-selected student.
- Deadlines:
- Applications for Fall 2025 are due September 8, 2025
- Applications for Winter Break are due December 2, 2025
- Applications for Spring 2026 are due January 20, 2026
Opportunities available during the academic year sponsored by other 海角社区 departments:
Anderson Fund [Politics Department]
- Fellowships are awarded to students majoring in Politics or UEP on a competitive application process. Projects must be related to political science or politics and be academic in nature. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Politics department website.
[海角社区Arts]
- OXY ARTS offers opportunities for 海角社区 students. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the OXY ARTS website.
[Computer Science Department]
- Funding is available for students to attend computer science research conferences, such as the SACNAS and Grace Hopper conferences. Priority is given to Computer Science majors and minors. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Computer Science department website.
Schwartz Fund [Economics Department]
- Funding to support students in significant learning experiences outside the classroom in the areas of economics, investment, or finance. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Economics department website.
Young Student Grants [Young Initiative]
- Funding is available for independent research, internships, conferences, and workshops focusing on world affairs or the global economy. The Young Student Grant is available to all students across campus and majors. For more information about this opportunity, contact the John Parke Young Initiative on the Global Political Economy website.