Creative Arts, Research, And Scholarship (CARAS)

2019 CARAS project grant recipient Jake Beyer takes a break from filming on location in Iceland

The Temple University Office of the Provost and the Deans of Temple University’s Schools and Colleges are pleased to provide a funding opportunity to encourage and support undergraduate students engaged in scholarly, creative, and research projects that contribute to advancing their field of study.

The Creative Arts, Research And Scholarship (CARAS) Program makes two types of grants: Research/Creative Project Grants and Travel Grants.

Research/Creative Project Grants provide undergraduate students grants of up to $4,000 in support of scholarly, research or creative arts projects undertaken with the supervision of a full-time Temple faculty mentor. An expectation of the CARAS Project Grant is that recipients will produce a final deliverable appropriate for their field of study (paper, exhibit, film, etc.) that advances their academic and professional development. Travel costs to present research at conferences are not covered by this grant and students need to submit a separate Travel Grant application.

Detailed CARAS Project Grant Application Eligibility and Guidelines

Project Grant applications are now CLOSED.

Travel Grants provide funding support for undergraduate travel to conferences to present original research or creative work. The maximum Travel Grant award is $1,000. Requests may be modified based on an assessment of the budget proposal and/or the availability of resources.

CARAS grants are competitive and limited to approximately 50 awards per year (20 Project Grants and 30 Travel Grants).

One half of the CARAS grant is provided by the Office of the Provost and a matching half is provided by the student’s School or College. The program is administered by Undergraduate Studies.

If you have questions, please send an email to: CARAS@temple.edu

Research/Creative Project Grant

Project Grant Overview

Applications submitted in the fall should be for projects to be undertaken during winter break and/or spring semester; those submitted in the spring should be for projects to be undertaken during summer break and/or fall semester. Maximum Project Grant is $4,000. Successful applications will provide a clearly focused project addressing a significant issue, concern, or aspect in the student’s field of study, include a detailed budget proposal, and be endorsed by a full-time Temple faculty mentor and the Designated CARAS Project Reviewer of the student’s school or college. Endorsements will be completed through the online application system.

An expectation of the CARAS Project Grant is that recipients will produce a final deliverable appropriate for their field of study (paper, exhibit, film, etc.) that advances their academic and professional development.

Eligibility Guidelines (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING APPLICATION)

Full-time undergraduate (in any school/college) at the time of application and project
Have at least one full-time semester left at Temple after project end date
Have a full-time Temple faculty member (adjunct and part-time faculty not eligible) who has agreed to serve as a faculty mentor prior to submitting online application
Students can only receive on award in an academic year

Academic Year Deadlines (for student submission of online application form)

How to Apply

Project Grant applications are now CLOSED.

* We recommend that students create a draft application well in advance of the deadline in order to view the application prompts and ensure there are no access issues before submitting. Drafts can be saved and edited later until submission. Screenshots of the application can be found in the CARAS Portal Guides below.

Access the application through TUPortal (no paper/PDF applications will be accepted):

CARAS PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION

Application Components

Project dates and title
Abstract (~150-250 words)
Proposal (~500-700 words)
- In a well-focused essay, describe your research/creative project. Indicate the coursework or experiences that have prepared you for this project, the project’s specific focus and scope, and its significance to your undergraduate course of study and/or professional development. Be sure to communicate what the final project or deliverable will be (i.e. paper, exhibit, film, etc.)
Detailed project budget
Faculty mentor endorsement and letter of recommendation (see below for submission process)

Overview of Application Process

Applicant submits online application form by deadline and provides Temple email for faculty mentor
Faculty mentor notified of student submission over email, endorses application and submits letter of recommendation through Enrichment Programs online portal
Complete application packages automatically forwarded to applicants’ Designated School/College CARAS Project Grant Reviewers for preliminary review and finalist selection
Finalist applications automatically forwarded to Undergraduate Studies CARAS Team for award decisions
Awarded students and faculty mentors notified of decisions through Enrichment Programs Portal

Step-by-Step Guide to CARAS Portal application for STUDENT APPLICANTS

Step-by-Step Guide to CARAS Portal application for FACULTY MENTORS

Special Call for Project Proposals

The Environment and Sustainability

Temple University's Office of Sustainability is pleased to provide additional CARAS funding to support projects related to any aspect of the ENVIRONMENT and SUSTAINABILITY. Students interested in undertaking such projects are especially encouraged to submit a project application. Research/creative projects from any disciplinary perspective are welcomed.

Regional Campus-Based Projects

The University College is pleased to provide additional CARAS funding to support projects that are based at or take advantage of the unique resources or locations of its campuses at Ambler, Center City or Harrisburg. Students interested in undertaking such projects are especially encouraged to submit a project application. Research/creative projects from any disciplinary perspective that take place at one of these campuses are welcomed.

Grant Expectations (Information for Award Recipients)

Grant recipients should address all communications and final project deliverables to CARAS@temple.edu

Upon completion of project, CARAS recipients are expected to submit:

An electronic copy of the final project (technical research paper/report OR documentation of artistic/creative project depending on field)
A 2-3 page nontechnical summary report for program staff reflecting on project significance, process, results, and future plans for dissemination
Final budget report (if applicable)
An email sent from faculty mentor to CARAS@temple.edu confirming project materials have been reviewed and project is complete

Travel Grant

Travel Grant Overview

Applications to present a research/creative project at a conference are accepted on a rolling basis; please submit at least four (4) weeks before the scheduled travel. Maximum Travel Grant is $1,000, including group travel as co-authors/presenters. Travel arrangements are subject to Temple's travel policy and procedures. International travel is subject to Temple's International Travel Policy including any required additional applications and approvals, deadlines for which may be well in advance of travel.

Eligibility Guidelines

Current full-time undergraduates at the time of application and travel
Travel to a conference is supported only when the student is presenting
Applications for Travel Grants can be submitted without notification of acceptance to present, but grant decisions will not be made until notification of acceptance to present has been provided
Students can only receive one award in an academic year.

How to Apply

Please use the application form linked below to apply for Travel Grants. The application package (including faculty mentor signature on application form and letter of recommendation) must first be emailed to the Designated School/College CARAS Travel Grant Reviewer. Only applications endorsed (signed) by the Designated School/College CARAS Travel Grant Reviewer in the student's home school/college Dean's office will be considered complete and eligible for funding. Applications submitted retroactively will not be considered. Applicants are typically notified within ten (10) business days of receipt of a complete application.

Travel Grant Application and Guidelines (PDF)

Designated School/College CARAS Travel Grant Reviewers (PDF)

Program Contact:

Anisha Bhat
Assistant Director for Undergraduate Enrichment
Undergraduate Studies

Emily Moerer
Associate Vice Provost
Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate Studies

Research/Creative Project Grant

Travel Grant

Program Contact:

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