In research, great ideas often come free but executing them requires funding. That’s why the Office of the Vice President for Research offers competitive funding programs for investigators at all levels to help our faculty and student researchers transform their free ideas into funded realities.
As the new academic year gets under way, our funding programs are opening up for applications this fall, with award dates in the spring semester. While our team is working to finalize application materials and request for proposals documentation, it’s great timing for researchers at all levels to get familiar with our programs, identify the one(s) that will suit your project best and make a plan to submit your application in the coming months.
Faculty seed funding: ASPIRE
Since 2012, the Advanced Support for Innovative Research Excellence, or ASPIRE program has been one of the university's primary funding mechanisms to support research by USC faculty at all levels. Today, ASPIRE is open to all faculty on all campuses, with emphasis on seed funding for early-career investigators aiming to develop innovative research projects for which they plan to pursue extramural funding.
ASPIRE will open to applications soon, with full proposals due by Monday, February 1, 2027.
Research funding for USC system faculty: RISE
The Research Initiative for Summer Engagement, or RISE program, was initiated in 2012 to support summer research for faculty members at USC's system campuses. This program employs a competitive application process to provide money for summer salary, research supplies, travel related to research and undergraduate student support to bolster scholarship throughout the USC system.
RISE will begin accepting applications soon, with proposals due by Friday, January 15, 2027.
For eligible graduate students: SPARC
Through the Support to Promote Advancement of Research and Creativity, or SPARC Program, eligible graduate students have the opportunity to compete for internal funding of up to $5,000 to support their meritorious research, creative and scholarly projects. This process offers both the possibility of funding along with valuable experience in the process of applying for sponsored awards. SPARC applicants complete many of the same steps involved in developing extramural research funding proposals, making the application experience as valuable as the funding itself. Prospective applicants should make sure to review eligibility criteria as they consider applying to SPARC.
SPARC opens for applications soon, with proposal packages due by Monday, November 16, 2026.
For undergraduate students: Office of Undergraduate Research funding opportunities
The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) offers a variety of funding for undergraduate students to engage in faculty-mentored research, scholarship and creative projects. Below, we have highlighted three programs open to undergraduate students on all campuses, and in all disciplines that are accepting applications in the fall semester. But, these are not the only funding opportunities available from OUR so undergraduate student researchers are encouraged to read up on all their funding programs to find the opportunity that’s right for them.
Prospective applicants should read each program page closely to review eligibility requirements, application guidelines, deadlines and other important program-specific details.
- Magellan Scholar: Up to $2,500 for salary, materials or travel to support research, scholarly and creative projects conducted with a USC faculty mentor. Fall Magellan applications are due by Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Mini-Grant: Up to $1,500 for salary, materials and travel to conduct research, scholarly and creative projects working with a USC faculty mentor. Fall Mini-Grant applications are due by Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
- Conference Presentation Grant: Up to $500 for travel expenses to present research at regional or national meetings. This program has different application cycle deadlines in the fall and spring, based on the date of travel; visit the program page for details.