Research Presentation Awards
Research Presentation Awards (RPA) are given to University of Rochester undergraduate students who are presenting their research at academic conferences. The awards can be used to fund conference registration, travel, lodging, and/or food expenses.
The Office of Undergraduate Research is now accepting applications for Research Presentation Awards for the 2025-2026 academic year. Undergraduates are eligible to receive one RPA per academic year, with the average maximum award at $1500.
Requirements
Applicants must submit an itemized budget of expected expenses. Students can receive ONE award per academic year. This award program is intended to be a cost-sharing award; that is, we would like to see the traveling student, mentor, and/or host department sharing the cost. Please talk to your research mentor and department coordinator about possible travel funds. Please also look at the conference website and apply for any funding available for student presenters.
As you prepare your presentation or poster, be sure to include "University of Rochester" with an approved University logo in your design (see logo options) or use the University of Rochester PowerPoint presentation template. Please make sure any references to UR or URMC are fully spelled out (i.e., University of Rochester or University of Rochester Medical Center).
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- Be a currently enrolled UR undergraduate student in a degree-granting program
- Be in good academic standing
- Have been accepted for presentation at an academic conference
In addition, both the research project itself and the presentation of that research must take place while you are a matriculated undergraduate student at the University. If you are a senior, you cannot apply for funding for any conference that takes place after graduation.
Applying
Before applying for funding through the Office of Undergraduate Research, you are expected to have already requested funding from your department/advisor. We also encourage students to check for funding through the conference itself; many conferences offer student discounts and/or travel awards.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but please be aware that it can take 2-4 weeks to process the payment. All research and travel must be undertaken while you are still a University of Rochester undergraduate.
Your Research Presentation Award Application must include the following:
- Brief explanation about why this would be an enriching opportunity for you
- Abstract of your presentation
- Link to the conference website
- Complete budget that includes a summary of your department's/advisor's share of the cost of this experience
- Your resume
- A letter of support from your research advisor or faculty member, submitted separately by your recommender (An invitation to submit the letter of support will be sent automatically upon student submission of the RPA application.)
Share Your Experience
We want to promote all the wonderful research our students are participating in! Please take pictures at your conference—whether it’s of you standing in front of your poster or you ask someone to take a picture of you while you’re giving your presentation. Please also provide a caption about the experience so that we can share on our office's social media (@ugresearchuofr). Email your pictures with captions to undergradresearch@ur.rochester.edu.
Other Funding Options
We encourage students to also apply for support through the College Supplemental Fund. Tip: indicate as many departments and programs as are applicable to your research and career goals. This will help you reach the maximum number of potential funding sources.
Don't forget to check for funding through the conference itself. Many conferences offer student discounts and/or travel awards.
