» Engineering Student Research and Project Grants

• Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per semester.
• Graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units. 
• 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 support students from groups typically underrepresented in engineering research more effectively, 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'll be able to help you find a faculty advisor if awarded.This program is on hold for the 2024/25 academic year.

Research Excellence
Our most prestigious research award, the Research Excellence Awards, supports faculty-mentored student research for our students with 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 Fowler Engineering's research mission. Allowable uses of funds include student salaries, materials, supplies, equipment, software, participant costs, and any other categories typically supported by federal grants. Proposal deadlines are listed above.

Make-a-Thon
These awards are designed to support materials, supplies, consumables, and equipment usage fees for independent projects 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.

Research Awards: All students awarded a Fowler Engineering Grant for faculty-mentored research must present their work at the Chapman University Student Scholar Symposium during the academic year they received their award. This includes iRAD, Research Excellence, and any other faculty-mentored research project funded by the Fowler School of Engineering. 

Make-a-Thon: All students awarded a Fowler Engineering grant for the Make-a-Thon must present their work at the showcase event during the academic year they received their award.

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 (use Budget Template)
5. Hazardous materials and/or IRB approval, if applicable