Research and Travel Funding
SDUR offers funding to K-State students to support research projects and travel related to research. Each application requires a letter of reference from a faculty mentor. Letters are due to SDUR@ksu.edu by the application's due date. Students must request letters from their research mentors.
The fall research project application deadline is May 10, 2026 at noon.
The spring research project application deadine is November 10, 2026 at noon.
The summer research project application deadline is March 10, 2027 at noon.
Funds will usually be distributed within one month of notification of award.
For any questions related to these awards, please send us an email at SDUR@ksu.edu.
Research Awards
Applications for research funds for spring 2027 are open. Applications and letters of reference are due by noon on Tuesday, November 10.
These funds are strictly for students who plan to engage with mentored research in spring 2027. In order to receive funds, students must be enrolled for credit. The maximum award amount is $500.00, but final amounts are subject to change.
Students will be required to address the following in their application:
- Personal information
- Title and abstract for proposed research project
- Name and email address of proposed mentor
- Short answer essays (50 words or less) related to the impact of research on their professional development, the work they plan to do, and how the funds will be utilized
Mentors, in your letter of reference, please address the following:
- Brief description of your relationship to the applicant
- Description of the student's role and involvement with research
- Strengths and weaknesses of the student as a potential researcher
Travel Awards
These funds are for students who are attending research-related conferences for the purposes of presentation and/or professional development. Travel awards may cover airfare, personal vehicle mileage, state vehicle rental, hotel, ground transportation and conference registration fees. An explanation of travel expenses is part of the application and should reflect your total out of pocket costs.
Fall travel: applications are due September 10
Spring travel: applications are due November 10
Summer travel: applications are due April 10
If you are applying with a group of 5 or more students, please ask your trip supervisor to send an letter to SDUR at sdur@ksu.edu requesting an amount for the group and detailing how it will be used. Group support will not exceed $2000. .
Applications for spring 2027 travel are open. Applications and letters of reference are due at noon on Tuesday, November 10.
The maximum award amount is $500.00 and award amounts will be determined by a points system:
Maximum points possible- 30 pts.
Minimum points possible- 13 pts.
Conferences outside of a 150-mile radius of Manhattan- 16pts
Conferences within 150 miles of Manhattan- 10 pts
Conferences within 50 miles of Manhattan- 8 pts
Students who are presenting at a conference- 10 pts
Students attending, but not presenting- 7 pts
An additional 4 points can be earned by answering two short answer questions.
| Number of Points | Dollar Amount |
| 30 pts | $500.00 |
| 27 pts | $450.00 |
| 24 pts | $400.00 |
| 21 pts | $350.00 |
| 18 pts | $300.00 |
| 15 pts | $250.00 |
| 13 pts | $200.00 |
Mentors, in your letter of reference, please address the following:
- Brief description of your relationship to the applicant
- Description of the student's role and involvement with research
- Confirmation of the conference title, dates, location, and if the student is attending or presenting
Student Research Travel FAQs
Your funding is part of your financial aid package. If you do not have a balance with the Cashier’s office, you may receive your funds as a direct deposit or check. Make sure that your address and direct deposit information is up-to-date in KSIS. If you have accepted financial aid, your aid could be reduced if you receive a travel award. If the amount of financial aid you have already accepted is the maximum amount that you can receive for your cost of attendance, then receiving the travel award will result in a reduction of your financial aid. Click here to visit the Student Financial Assistance page for any questions. NOTE: If you are traveling with a department, it may be possible for your funds to be paid to your department. Contact SDUR at sdur@ksu.edu if you have further questions.
Applications are reviewed within 2 weeks of the deadline and announcements are sent shortly thereafter. SDUR will notify you by email of the decision and scholarships will be processed through the Office of Student Financial Assistance (SFA). It can take between 1-3 weeks or more, depending on the time of year and level of activity in SFA, before your funds are available in your student account. Please plan accordingly for up to a total of 3 months between application submission and notification/receipt of funds in your student account.
No, but we ask what you plan to spend the funds on. Should plans change, let us know, but we don't require full disclosure of all expenses.
When five or more students are traveling to the same event as a group (rather than as individuals) their advisor should send a letter to SDUR at sdur@ksu.edu asking for funding for a specific item on the travel agenda, not to exceed $2000. Faculty are encouraged to contact SDUR by email (sdur@ksu.edu) to discuss large group travel ahead of the application process.
Yes, you may. Depending on the number of applications and the funding available, SDUR will consider both, but applications will be considered separately; applicants may receive both awards or only one.
Yes, you may apply for a second award, though first-time applicants are prioritized over second-time applicants.
For students to receive a summer scholarship, students must be enrolled during the summer term in coursework that applies toward their degree program. This may include zero-credit courses (such as required internship, research, or experiential learning enrollments) that are part of the student’s Title IV-eligible program of study.
Students who are enrolled for zero credit hours may still receive summer scholarships, provided the enrollment establishes a summer financial aid term. Scholarships will be applied as “Other Financial Assistance” (OFA) to the summer term.
Students who are not enrolled in any summer coursework—including zero-credit, degree-applicable courses—are not eligible to receive scholarship funds for the summer term. The possibility of payment during the spring or fall semester for summer travel may be available.
For questions, contact the Office of Financial Assistance at 785-532-3552 or finaid@k-state.edu.
You will be required to return the funds. Should this arise, contact staff at SDUR at sdur@ksu.edu.
When you have finished the period for which we funded your research or completed travel, we ask that you reflect on your experience using the link located below.
Reflect on your experience
Have you received funding from SDUR for your research or travel needs? Please respond to this brief survey.
Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research
336 Hale Library
1117 Mid-Campus Drive North
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-3422
785-532-6542 fax
sdur@ksu.edu