Research & Creative Fellowships

Get funding for your research, community-based, or creative work

The David C. Frederick Honors College (FHC) supports undergraduate students conducting a independent creative, community-based, public service, and research projects. Depending on the project, students will identify mentor affiliated with Pitt or an FHC partner program. See below for individual program information. 

For more information:

• See details below
• View our Current Programs Folder (must sign in with Pitt email) here
• Contact the FHC Office of Research at fhcresearch@groups.pitt.edu. 

Program Application Dates (See below for information on each program). 

Also look into these opportunities:

• Bachelor of Philosophy Degree
• Community Engaged Learning
• Global Learning Signature Hands-On Experiences
• Social Innovation
• Office of National Scholarships and Post-Graduation Success

Ongoing Opportunities

Sign up for the FHC Research Opportunities Canvas page to learn more about fellowships, funding, and professional development at Pitt and beyond!

Submit articles & creative works to the Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review, the Frederick Honors College academic journal. Submissions are accepted throughout the year and published 2 to 3 times annually. 

The Frederick Honors College Travel Award supports FHC students presenting at conferences. See additional information and apply here before your planned event. Graduating students must apply before the start of their final semester.

For more information, contact fhcresearch@groups.pitt.edu. 

Annual Research & Creative Expression Symposium

FHC hosts the Research & Creative Expression Symposium each spring. It is an opportunity for FHC students and recipients of FHC administered research, creative arts, and community research fellowships to present their work to peers and faculty from a variety of fields across the university. 

The 2026 Symposium will be held on March 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the University Club. All FHC students and the Pitt community are welcome to attend, no registration required.

Submit your application here by February 16. 

Presentation formats:

• Poster presentation
• Table presentation
• BPhil candidate oral presentation

Congratulations to the 2025 Symposium Award Winners!

• Dean's Award: Owen May
• Director's Award: Shanmayee Devarapalli
• Community Impact: Tanisha Pagadala
• Health and Biological Sciences: Aashika Bhat
• Interdisciplinary Studies: Sahil Gandhi
• Social Sciences: Isabel Sichlau
• STEM Fields: Jesse Zhang

Applications for fall 2026 fellowships and Martinson Applied Projects will open in spring 2026. 

Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Fellowships

The Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Fellowship (CURF) supports undergraduate students conducting a research or creative project under the guidance of a Pitt-affiliated mentor during the fall or spring semester. Applicants may propose any form of research, scholarship, or creative work that is appropriate to the project's discipline. 

Chancellor's Undergraduate Teaching Fellowships

The Chancellor's Undergraduate Teaching Fellowship (CUTF) supports undergraduate students working on collaborative teaching projects with a Pitt-affiliated professor or instructor during the fall or spring semester. Applicants may propose any form of creative or innovative educational project that is appropriate to the course that goes beyond tasks traditionally assigned to teaching assistants. Prior teaching fellows have developed projects including virtual and 3D study models, as well as curriculum enhancements such as study guides or discussion prompts. Teaching Fellows are also encouraged to include an educational assessment in their proposal, which may form the basis of a future research fellowship application.

Community-Engaged Research Fellowship

This fellowship supports students working on a project creating a socially responsible, mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources with community partners. The project proposal should describe both the research methods and how it will listen to and address community needs without making uninformed assumptions. 

Frederick Honors College Research & Creative Fellowship

FHC's Research & Creative Fellowship (RCF) supports undergraduate students conducting a research or creative project under the guidance of a Pitt-affiliated mentor during the fall or spring semester. However, students enrolled in an FHC program (BPhil, degree, or distinction) may be given priority. Applicants may propose any form of research, scholarships, or creative work that is appropriate to the project's discipline. This fellowship requires attendance at a weekly seminar on Mondays from 4:30 to 5:20 p.m. and provides 1 credit for participation. 

Martinson Applied Projects

The Martinson Applied Projects (MAPs) are team-based research experiences sponsored by FHC and designed to provide small groups of honors students the opportunity to work on applied interdisciplinary research projects throughout the Pitt community. MAPs are led by Pitt researchers and allow students to gain experiential credit while working on projects that create new knowledge, inform action, and advance the public good. 

Summer Programs

Applications for summer programs are now open!

Please note that these programs are limited to current FHC students. Students not yet enrolled in FHC may:

• Learn more about our degree & distinction programs here.
• Discuss enrollment or application with an FHC academic advisor here. 

For more information:

• See details for each program below.
• View our Current Programs Folder (must sign in with Pitt email) here.
• Contact the FHC Office of Research at fhcresearch@groups.pitt.edu.  

New for 2026: There is one single application form for all summer research fellowships. All applicants will be considered for the Brackenridge fellowship and will have the option to request consideration for four specialty programs: sustainability, community engagement, creative arts and health sciences. 

Application Deadlines

By February 16: Download the mentor recommendation form here and share it with your mentor.

Final Deadline for all items: March 2 by 11:59 p.m.

Apply here!

Brackenridge Fellowships

The Brackenridge Summer Fellowship supports undergraduate students conducting an independent research or creative project under the guidance of a Pitt-affiliated research mentor. The Brackenridge Fellowships are open to FHC students from any major or field. Applicants may propose any form of research, scholarship, or creative work that is appropriate to the project’s discipline. 

Community-Engaged Research Fellowship

This fellowship supports students working on a project creating a socially responsible, mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources with community partners. The project proposal should describe both the research methods and how it will listen to and address community needs without making uninformed assumptions. 

Creative Arts Fellowship

The Creative Arts Fellowship supports undergraduate students producing creative work under the mentorship of a Pitt-affiliated faculty or project mentor who works in a medium or discipline relevant to the project. Applications are welcome for projects for any artistic endeavor, and interdisciplinary projects are encouraged. Past projects have included one or more elements including: exploring connections between art and science, creative writing, film, performing arts, and studio arts. 

Health Sciences Research Fellowships

The HSRF supports undergraduate students conducting an independent research project under the guidance of a Pitt-affiliated research mentor in a project related to the health sciences. New for 2026: Health Science Fellows will be required to participate in a dedicated professional development series led by faculty from Pitt's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. See the application portal for additional program links and details.