UROP provides merit-based scholarship funds to UHM undergraduate students who successfully propose a mentored research or creative work presentation. A presentation can consist of an in-person or virtual oral or poster conference presentation, performance, exhibit, competition, etc. depending on the field of study. UROP welcomes and encourages undergraduate students in all disciplines of study to submit a Presentation Funding Application. Components of a competitive application include:
- Following application guidelines and attention to details
- Academic merit
- Thorough justifications for the presentation venue and budget requested
- Applicant learning outcomes from the proposed presentation
- Evidence of mentor recommendation provider’s support – applications should be reviewed and approved by the mentor recommendation provider before submission
This page contains information regarding the Presentation Funding Application all interested students must review prior to applying for funding. For other UROP funding opportunities and an at-a glance comparison, see Programs & Resources. Do not hesitate to reach out to UROP with any questions that you have by emailing urop@hawaii.edu.
The Basics
- Enrolled as a classified undergraduate student at UHM in the semester of presentation
- Have a UHM mentor who meets the eligibility criteria (see “Recommendation” tab) submit a Presentation Recommendation Form for the proposed presentation
- Plan to graduate from UHM
- Be the presenting author(s) of the work
- Not have already presented the proposed presentation with UROP funding
- Presenting at an off-campus venue or an on-campus event run by a non-UH entity (i.e. no funding for presenting at the Undergraduate Showcase, SURE Symposium, etc.)
UROP accepts Presentation Funding Applications on a rolling deadline throughout the year. Students must submit their application prior to the event date and UROP strongly encourages interested students to apply three months in advance so that if funded, funds are available when making presentation-related purchases.
UROP reviews applications on the 1st of every month. UROP disqualifies applications missing materials (Presentation Recommendation Form, Presentation Pre-Survey, etc.) by the 1st of the month.
The application review process takes approximately two months. UROP notifies applicants with the funding decision via email.
- Up to $2,000 per individual presentation (1 applicant)
- Up to $4,000 per pair presentation (2 applicants)
- Up to $5,000 per group presentation (3 to 10 applicants)
UROP encourages applicants to request funding for all allowable and well-justified, presentation-related expenses (e.g., travel, stipend, meals and incidentals). UROP may decide to fund a presentation fully or partially, or reject the application. UROP does not accept or review applications requesting more than the maximum allowable amount.
For detailed budget guidelines, see Itemized Budget with Justification.
If accepted for funding, applicants will receive their funding in one to two months following their application. Funding disbursement is contingent on applicants meeting all pre-funding requirements (see the Pre-Funding Checklist tab). UROP disburses funding to students via myUH as a “scholarship” that is subject to the following Financial Aid regulations:
- You must be enrolled in at least one credit in the semester of disbursement (including summer) to receive UROP funding
- All UROP-funded travel must take place in the semester of disbursement
- You may not request a stipend for time spent on satisfying coursework/academic credit (but may request stipend funding for hours in excess of that needed for coursework/academic credit. See #4 under “Eligible Items”/”Itemized Budget with Justification”)
Please refer to the Disbursement tab under the Funding Recipients section for more details on how UROP distributes funding via myUH accounts.
UROP requires Presentation funding applicants to have a recommendation provider (typically their mentor) who meets at least one of the following criteria, and who is willing to submit a Presentation Recommendation Form on your behalf prior to the application deadline:
- UHM faculty (I/R/S/B/A/J/M tenured, tenure track, and non-tenure track faculty)
- Have submitted and been granted a Mentor Eligibility Petition
Applicants should check with their current/potential mentor to ensure that they meet at least one of the eligibility criteria.
While an applicant’s UROP recommendation provider could be affiliated with any UHM department, please note that the application reviewers consider the mentor’s expertise and its relevance to the applicant’s presentation when making a funding decision. Therefore, UROP highly recommends applicants to work with a recommendation provider whose expertise aligns with their research or creative work interests as expressed in their presentation application.
UROP requires all applicants to work with their mentor to determine the training and research compliance needed for the project they are proposing to present prior to submitting their Presentation Funding Application. Please note that UROP requires all applicants selected for funding to meet all training and research compliance requirements prior to receiving any funding from UROP.
For a detailed guideline, see Required Training & Research Compliance.
UROP encourages leveraging funding across multiple sources. In the Presentation Funding Application, applicants must disclose all outside sources of funding (in-hand or pending) for the UROP presentation that is being proposed, and must show how both UROP and external funds would be used (regardless of funding status). This includes both pending and received funds for the presentation at the time of application. Additionally, applicants must disclose to UROP if they receive any additional funding for the UROP presentation after submitting a Presentation Funding Application to ensure that no applicants receive funding twice for the same item or task.
Note: IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) funding recipients cannot receive funding from both INBRE and UROP for the same presentation. If funded by both INBRE and UROP, the recipient will have to choose one source of funding. Please contact INBRE for further information.
Submission Requirements
For funding consideration, all of the following must be submitted by the deadline:
- Presentation Funding Application (1 per presentation), components include:
- Personal Details (applicant name, mentor name, etc.)
- Proposal Details (Title, Presentation Abstract, Significance, Timetable, Rationale for Conference/Event, Applicant’s Role, Biographical Sketch, Training & Research Compliance, Bibliography/References, etc.)
- Image Upload (optional attachment)
- Presentation Applicant Information Form (attachment)
- Itemized Budget with Justifications (attachment)
- Combination Transcript (attachment, downloaded from STAR; optional for group applicants)
- Proof of Participation (While this is not required at the time of application, you must submit it prior to funding disbursement if you are accepted for funding)
- Presentation Recommendation Form (1 per presentation). When you submit your application or click “Send Letter Request” after inputting your mentor’s email and saving the Presentation Funding Application as a draft, your mentor will receive an email containing a link to download and upload the completed Presentation Recommendation Form
- Presentation Pre-Survey (1 per student)
- Student evaluation of UROP
- Student’s research or creative work background
Resources
Below are additional resources that applicants might find helpful towards preparing their Presentation Funding Application: