Undergraduate Research Scholarship


Ruben Zadigan Undergrad Research Scholarship

Scholarship applications and important deadlines for the Spring and Summer 2022 semesters are now open.

General Information & Eligibility Requirements:

Environmental Studies undergraduate students interested in pursuing undergraduate research are eligible to apply for the Ruben Zadigan Undergraduate Scholarship in Environmental Studies: Research Initiatives. The Zadigan Scholarship may provide up to $1,800 in financial support of student research and several scholarships are awarded each year. All Environmental Studies Program majors interested in pursuing research are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be actively enrolled in courses at KU, and awardees must enroll in EVRN 624 or EVRN 625 (Independent Study) for at least 1 credit hour (3 is preferred) during the following Spring or Summer semester. 

Selection criteria include the quality of the research proposal, the environmental relevance of the proposed research, and the strength of the collaboration with the faculty mentor.

Presenting Research Findings:

Spring award recipients must present their research findings at the Environmental Studies Research Colloquium in April. Summer recipients must present at the fall Undergraduate Research Colloquium. 

Application Requirements:

The application deadline for the 2023 Spring and Summer semester is November 28, 2022. We anticipate making all Zadigan Scholarship award announcements by the end of the fall semester. 

Required supporting documents:

  1. Research Proposal: In 500 words or less, this proposal describes the research endeavor, its link to faculty mentor research, the value of the research experience to the applicant, the product(s) that will be produced, and the environmental content of the research. As appropriate, the proposal should highlight the interdisciplinary aspects of the research endeavor.
  2. KU Degree Progress Report: Submit a Degree Progress Report generated within the fall 2021 semester.
  3. Complete the Zadigan Undergraduate Scholarship application form. The Research Proposal and KU Degree Progress Report get uploaded and submitted with the online application form

Supporting documents can be submitted via email to envstudies@ku.edu.

More information on general undergraduate research and first steps can be found at KU’s Center for Undergraduate Research.