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. Contact the FHC Office of Research at fhcresearch@groups.pitt.edu.
Program Application Dates (See below for information on each program).
Program Type | Applications Launch | Applications Due | Decisions Announced |
Martinson Applied Projects: Fall 2026 | Apply here! | September 30 | 2-3 weeks after applying |
Spring 2027 Fellowships | Apply here! | October 26 | December |
Martinson Applied Projects (MAPs): Spring 2027 | October | November | December |
Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review Submissions | Late Fall | Late Fall/Early Spring | Spring 2027 |
Spring Research Symposium | January 2027 | February 2027 | February 2027 |
Summer 2027 Fellowships | January 2027 | February 2027 | Late April 2027 |
Fall 2027 Fellowships | April 2027 | June 2027 | August 2027 |
Ongoing Opportunities
Sign up for the FHC Research Opportunities Canvas page to learn more about fellowships, funding, and professional development at Pitt and beyond!
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.
Academic Year Programs
New for 2026: There is one single application form for all fall research fellowships. Applicants will be able to opt-into their choice of programs by submitting the requested essays for each.
Applicants to all programs listed below must be enrolled in an FHC program (Honors Distinction, Honors Degree, or BPhil).
For more information, contact the FHC Office of Research at fhcresearch@groups.pitt.edu.
- 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 to 4:50 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 2027 are expected to open in January 2027!
- 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.
- Summer Program Advancing Rehabilitation Knowledge in Health Sciences
S.P.A.R.K. is led by faculty from Pitt's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Participants will engage with faculty, clinicians, and graduate students through interactive sessions and hands-on workshops designed to promote exploration and graduate study in fields such as audiology, emergency medicine, and physical therapy. For summer 2027, we anticipate that students will be able to participate in SPARK in conjunction with a summer fellowship or as a standalone experience.
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.
Congratulations to our 2026 Symposium Award Winners!
- Dean's Award: Kathy Vo
- Director's Award: Sahana Katakol
- Arts & Humanities Award: Rowan Wechsler
- Community-Engaged Research Award: Jayani Velsamy
- Health and Biological Sciences Award: Julia Feibusch
- Social Sciences Award: Arushi Bansal
- All other STEM Fields Award: Chidinma Egbeni
Our next symposium will take place in spring 2027.
Presentation formats:
- Poster presentation
- Table presentation
- BPhil candidate oral presentation