The Letters & Science Honors Program currently offers several different grants, scholarships and awards for introductory and senior thesis research, study abroad and research related travel, and community and university service projects. For more information about these funding opportunities, including directions on how to apply, please follow the links below.
Introductory Research Experience
Honors Summer Sophomore Research Apprenticeship Grant
This grant, awarded to 20-30 students each summer, provides a stipend so students can accept what would otherwise be an unpaid research experience. Through this program, undergraduates pursue an introductory research experience in one of their areas of interest. The ultimate purpose of the grant is to allow talented students to learn what research is as well as how it is conducted within a discipline. Apprentices gain valuable opportunities to develop research skills and explore the research process while working under the guidance of a UW researcher. Please note that this opportunity is similar to, but distinct from, the campus-wide Sophomore Research Fellowships.
Senior Honors Thesis Research Support
Apply as a junior for funding during the summer before Senior Thesis project:
Honors Summer Senior Thesis Research Grant
This award helps students with research-related expenses, including travel costs, by providing stipends of up to $3000.
Barry L. Popkin Senior Thesis Research Award
This award helps students with research-related expenses who are doing research in the area of economics or social sciences, with priority going to students who are doing research in lower-middle income countries outside of Europe. The award provides a stipend of up to $3500. (All applicants to the Summer Senior Honors Thesis Grant will be considered for the Popkin Grant.)
Mark Mensink Honors Research Grant
This is the Honors Program’s most prestigious senior thesis award, recognizing the most distinguished senior thesis proposal submitted to the program each spring. (All applicants to the Summer Senior Honors Thesis Grant will be considered for the Mensink Grant.)
Apply as a fall semester senior for funding during the Senior Thesis project:
Trewartha Undergraduate Honors Research Grant
This award (averaging $1500) helps students with research-related expenses, including travel costs.
Funding for Study Abroad and Research-Related Travel
Kurz and Directors’ Fund Study Abroad Awards
These awards support honors students studying abroad on an official semester or year-long UW program.
Bromley Conference Travel Award
This award support honors students traveling to present their findings at research conferences.
Community or University Service Project Funding
Cyrena Pondrom Leadership Award
Do you have a project idea designed to improve UW-Madison, the community and/or the university student body? This award provides up to two honors students each year with funds equal to two semesters of resident, full-time tuition, as well as up to $3000 of funding to help them implement their ideas.