Small Grant to Support Learning for Undergraduate Sociology Majors

The department of sociology recognizes that these are difficult times for our students. Supported by a generous gift from Ms. Joella Werlin, the newly instituted Small Grant to Support Learning for Undergraduate Sociology Majors is designed to defray some of the costs associated with undergraduate education. We invite sociology majors to submit applications to reimburse up to $100 in learning-related materials. These materials include, but are not limited to, books, software and webcams.

Amount: Students may request an amount not to exceed $100.  

Eligibility: UH undergraduate students who are sociology majors in good standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of nine credit hours to apply. Students may receive only one grant per semester.  

Deadline: Applications are accepted throughout the semester until funds are depleted. 

Application: Students should complete and submit an application form via email, along with all relevant receipts, to the director of undergraduate studies at mamonser@central.uh.edu as one PDF file. Please note that all receipts must be dated during the semester of application.

Evaluation of Applications: Applications will be evaluated by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. The number of grants awarded is contingent upon funding and is at the discretion of the Undergraduate Studies Committee.   

Selection Process and Disbursement of Funds: Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the Undergraduate Studies Committee determination several weeks after submission. All funds will be directly deposited into a student’s account. 

Contact: Questions about this grant should be directed to Professor Maria Monserud (mamonser@central.uh.edu), director of undergraduate studies. 

Research Grants

The department of sociology is accepting proposals from undergraduate students for small research grants. These grants are intended to defray costs associated with completing a sociology undergraduate thesis. Research funds are intended for research expenses including, but not limited to, participant incentives, transcription fees or the purchasing of software or hardware.

Amount: Students may request an amount not to exceed $200.

Eligibility: UH undergraduate students who are sociology majors conducting thesis research are eligible to apply. Students may receive only one Undergraduate Student Research Grant during their time at UH.

Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants should plan to apply at least two weeks prior to when funds are needed.

Application Content: Students should submit a grant application to the director of undergraduate studies that includes the following:

• Signed Chair Approval Form
• A one-page proposal that:
  • Identifies the project title, the student’s name, the student’s email address and the names of committee members
  • Identifies the research question(s) to be examined
  • Explains the contributions that the student expects the project could make to the discipline or to public policy
  • Briefly summarizes the planned methodological approach (e.g., interviews, surveys, content analysis, etc.)
  • Specifies the amount requested and states how the funds will be spent (i.e., a budget)
  • Explains why the requested funds are necessary or would greatly facilitate the successful or timely completion of the proposed project

Evaluation of Applications: Upon receipt of applications, the Undergraduate Studies Committee will review the application materials and make a determination as to whether to award a grant, as well as the amount to award.

Notification of Award: The applicant will be notified of the Undergraduate Studies Committee's determination several weeks after submission. The number of awards granted annually is at the discretion of the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Should the application be successful, funds will be disbursed contingent upon evidence of Institutional Review Board's approval of the proposed research (if applicable).

Disbursement of Funds: Funds will be disbursed when the student presents receipts for the budget items.

Documentation of Use: All recipients of a research grant must include an appendix in their final project that acknowledges receipt of a Sociology Undergraduate Student Research Grant and documents the manner in which funds were used for the project.

Travel Grants

The department of sociology is accepting proposals from undergraduate students for small travel grants. These grants are intended to defray costs associated with presenting at external conferences. Travel funds are intended for conference-related expenses including, but not limited to, airfare, mileage, lodging and conference registration.

Amount: Students may request an amount not to exceed $200.

Eligibility: UH undergraduate students who are sociology majors who are presenting (on a panel, roundtable, poster session, etc.) at any external conference (local, state, national or international) are eligible to apply. Students may receive only one Undergraduate Student Travel Grant during their time at UH. Students must submit a travel request to the department of sociology before they make any travel arrangements.

Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. However, students must apply before they travel to the conference.

Application Content: Students should submit a grant application to the director of undergraduate studies that includes the following:

• Evidence that the student will be presenting at the conference (e.g., email acceptance, preliminary conference program, etc.)
• A one-page proposal that:
  • Identifies the presentation title, the student’s name, the student’s email address and (if applicable) project advisor
  • Includes a description of the presentation, including the type of presentation (e.g., panel, roundtable, poster presentation)
  • Specifies the amount requested from the grant program and states how the funds will be spent (i.e., a budget)
  • Explains why the requested funds are necessary or would greatly facilitate conference participation

Evaluation of Applications: Upon receipt of applications, the Undergraduate Studies Committee will review the application materials and make a determination as to whether to award a grant, as well as the amount to award.

Notification of Award: The applicant will be notified of the Undergraduate Studies Committee's determination several weeks after submission. The number of awards granted annually is at the discretion of the Undergraduate Studies Committee.

Disbursement of Funds: Funds will be disbursed after the student has presented at the conference and after submitting evidence of conference attendance (e.g., final conference program) as well as receipts for budget items.