You’ve brainstormed a great idea for your research project. You have the details of your topic all figured out, but you need some assistance with figuring out the logistics of the financial aspects that come with your great idea.
If that’s you, here’s a quick guide on one way of securing funding as a Princeton student!
- Visit the Student Activities Funding Engine (SAFE) site.
- Click on “Search for Funding”.
- You’ll be taken to the following page, where you can insert particular logistics regarding your project such as the activity, the time period, and the location of your project. By selecting these categories, you will help the site narrow down the funding opportunities that are listed to you on the following page.
- After clicking on “Search for Funding”, you’ll be taken to a page with a list of funding opportunities that match the criteria of your research internship. With this list comes information on the criteria and requirements for applying for the funding opportunity as well as appropriate deadlines.
- Build your application for the funding opportunity and make sure you get all of the things you need in on time!
I have had personal experience securing funding through the High Meadows Environmental Institute Environmental Scholars Program. During the winter of my sophomore year, I worked with my faculty mentor to revise and submit a research proposal outlining a potential two-year project plan for my junior and senior years, in addition to a budget proposal. With gratitude to HMEI and the Smith-Newton family, the funding I received was fundamental for me to be able to stay on campus over the summer and pursue a research project I envisioned as instrumental for my junior and senior work. I am now working on a junior project that branches off of the work I did this past summer in the Sigman laboratory, and the HMEI Environmental Scholar funding played a critical part in allowing me to take liberty with my research pursuits.
With funding secured, you will also feel a lot more leeway to pursue the types of opportunities and projects you are interested in, and this post talks about just one way you can secure funding. Be sure to check out other funding opportunities through the Princeton Office of Undergraduate Research!
— Rebecca Cho, Natural Sciences Correspondent
