Applications submitted in the fall should be for projects to be undertaken during winter break and/or spring semester; those submitted in the spring should be for projects to be undertaken during summer break and/or fall semester. Maximum Project Grant is $4,000. Successful applications will provide a clearly focused project addressing a significant issue, concern, or aspect in the student’s field of study, include a detailed budget proposal, and be endorsed by a full-time Temple faculty mentor and the Designated CARAS Project Reviewer of the student’s school or college. Endorsements will be completed through the online application system.

An expectation of the CARAS Project Grant is that recipients will produce a final deliverable appropriate for their field of study (paper, exhibit, film, etc.) that advances their academic and professional development.

Grant recipients should address all communications and final project deliverables to [click-for-email]

Upon completion of project, CARAS recipients are expected to submit:

• An electronic copy of the final project (technical research paper/report OR documentation of artistic/creative project depending on field)
• A 2-3 page nontechnical summary report for program staff reflecting on project significance, process, results, and future plans for dissemination
• Final budget report (if applicable)
• An email sent from faculty mentor to [click-for-email] confirming project materials have been reviewed and project is complete

October 15 for projects during Winter Break and Spring

March 15 for projects during Summer and Fall

The CARAS Project Grant budget is split into three categories: Supplies/Materials, Travel, and Student Stipend. Students propose an amount in each of these categories at the time of application based on what is necessary to complete their project. If approved for the grant, the award represents the sum total of all three budget categories, with a maximum award amount of $4000. When paying out the award, the Supplies/Materials and Travel budget are treated separately from the Student Stipend.

The Student Stipend is paid out in increments over the duration of the project based on progress reports submitted by the student’s faculty mentor. The final stipend payment is only made upon completion of the grant and submission of all deliverables. The Supplies/Materials and Travel budget are paid out as reimbursements upon completion of the project and submission of necessary receipts.

All CARAS Project Grant payments made to students are applied as a scholarship to the student’s Bursar billing account and will be processed as a refund. Award payments during the summer will be posted to the prior spring term (or a summer term if you are enrolled in a summer course).  Award recipients must comply with the following rules and stipulations shown below:

• To be eligible to receive the award, your Bursar account must be current ($0 balance). Any outstanding balance will be paid, or partially paid, by the award. This includes your fall and/or spring tuition bill.
• Payments are received via a refund from your Bursar account. Students with direct deposit setup on their Bursar account will receive stipends to the currently listed bank account. Students can set up direct deposit via TUpay on the Student Tools Tab of the TUportal.
• In order to receive the full award amount as a refund, you must have unmet Temple University financial aid need equal to or exceeding the award amount. If you have received loans and/or financial aid up to the limit of the full cost of attendance during the 2024-2025 academic year at Temple University, your stipend will lower the loan amount instead of being paid out as a refund. Please contact or visit Student Financial Services to speak to a representative about your specific account if you are not sure. If you find when speaking to them that there is any issue with you receiving this award, please contact Anisha Bhat at [click-for-email] immediately.

Information for Prospective Faculty Mentors (Program Information and Mentor Responsibilities)

Guidelines for Faculty Mentor Letters of Recommendation

The Environment and Sustainability

Temple University's Office of Sustainability is pleased to provide additional CARAS funding to support projects related to any aspect of the ENVIRONMENT and SUSTAINABILITY. Students interested in undertaking such projects are especially encouraged to submit a project application. Research/creative projects from any disciplinary perspective are welcomed.

Regional Campus-Based Projects

The University College is pleased to provide additional CARAS funding to support projects that are based at or take advantage of the unique resources or locations of its campuses at Ambler, Center City or Harrisburg. Students interested in undertaking such projects are especially encouraged to submit a project application. Research/creative projects from any disciplinary perspective that take place at one of these campuses are welcomed.

In order to be eligible for a CARAS Project Grant you:

• Must be a full-time undergraduate (in any school/college) at the time of application and project
• Must have at least one full-time semester left at Temple after project end date *
• Must have a full-time Temple faculty member (adjunct and part-time faculty not eligible) who has agreed to serve as a faculty mentor prior to submitting online application**
• Must have a $0 tuition balance and not be in Temple University financial delinquency at the time of each award disbursement
• If you receive financial aid, have unmet financial need equal to or exceeding the amount of the requested award (schedule appointment with Student Financial Services for this information)***
• Can only receive one award in an academic year
• Travel arrangements are subject to Temple's travel policy and procedures. International travel is subject to Temple's International Travel Policy including any required additional applications and approvals, deadlines for which may be well in advance of travel.
• Local travel (within Philadelphia) and meals are NOT eligible expenses for the CARAS grant

* The application will ask you to list a project start date and end date. In order to be eligible to apply, your anticipated graduation date from Temple must be a minimum of one full semester after the project end date you list

** Applicants must reach out to prospective faculty mentors independently. The program does not match students with mentors

*** If you have received loans and/or financial aid up to the limit of the full cost of attendance during the 2024-2025 academic year at Temple University, your CARAS stipend will lower the loan amount and not be paid out as a refund. Please contact or visit Student Financial Services to speak to a representative about your specific account if you are not sure. You are still welcome to apply to the program, but please ensure that you are fully aware of any potential financial aid implications of your award.

All CARAS Project Grant applicants must, at the time of application, have identified and reached out to a full-time Temple faculty member who has agreed to serve as their faculty mentor for the entire length of the program. Applicants must reach out to prospective faculty mentors independently. The program does not match students with mentors.

Resources:

Tips on Finding a Faculty Mentor

Information for Prospective Faculty Mentors (Program Information and Mentor Responsibilities)

Guidelines for Faculty Mentor Letters of Recommendation

If you require further guidance on establishing a relationship with a faculty mentor, please reach out to Anisha Bhat, [click-for-email] to set up an advising meeting.

* We recommend that students create a draft application well in advance of the deadline in order to view the application prompts and ensure there are no access issues before submitting. Drafts can be saved and edited later until submission. Screenshots of the application can be found in the CARAS Portal Guides below.

Access the application through TUPortal (no paper/PDF applications will be accepted):

CARAS PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION

Application Components

• Project dates and title 
• Abstract (~150-250 words)
• Proposal (~500-700 words)
  • In a well-focused essay, describe your research/creative project. Indicate the coursework or experiences that have prepared you for this project, the project’s specific focus and scope, and its significance to your undergraduate course of study and/or professional development. Be sure to communicate what the final project or deliverable will be (i.e. paper, exhibit, film, etc.
  • Detailed project budget
    • Local travel (within Philadelphia) and meals are NOT eligible expenses for the CARAS grant
  • Faculty mentor endorsement and letter of recommendation (see below for submission process)

Overview of Application Process

1. Applicant submits online application form by deadline and provides Temple email for faculty mentor
2. Faculty mentor notified of student submission over email, endorses application and submits letter of recommendation through Enrichment Programs online portal
3. Complete application packages automatically forwarded to applicants’  Designated School/College CARAS Project Grant Reviewers for preliminary review and finalist selection
4. Finalist applications automatically forwarded to Undergraduate Studies CARAS Team for award decisions
5. Awarded students and faculty mentors notified of decisions through Enrichment Programs Portal

Step-by-Step Guide to CARAS Portal application for STUDENT APPLICANTS

Step-by-Step Guide to CARAS Portal application for FACULTY MENTORS

The CARAS Project Grant budget is split into three categories: Supplies/Materials, Travel, and Student Stipend. Students propose an amount in each of these categories at the time of application based on what is necessary to complete their project. If approved for the grant, the award represents the sum total of all three budget categories, with a maximum award amount of $4000. When paying out the award, the Supplies/Materials and Travel budget are treated separately from the Student Stipend.

The Student Stipend is paid out in increments over the duration of the project based on progress reports submitted by the student’s faculty mentor. The final stipend payment is only made upon completion of the grant and submission of all deliverables. The Supplies/Materials and Travel budget are paid out as reimbursements upon completion of the project and submission of necessary receipts.

All CARAS Project Grant payments made to students are applied as a scholarship to the student’s Bursar billing account and will be processed as a refund. Award payments during the summer will be posted to the prior spring term (or a summer term if you are enrolled in a summer course).  Award recipients must comply with the following rules and stipulations shown below:

• To be eligible to receive the award, your Bursar account must be current ($0 balance). Any outstanding balance will be paid, or partially paid, by the award. This includes your fall and/or spring tuition bill.
• Payments are received via a refund from your Bursar account. Students with direct deposit setup on their Bursar account will receive stipends to the currently listed bank account. Students can set up direct deposit via TUpay on the Student Tools Tab of the TUportal.
• In order to receive the full award amount as a refund, you must have unmet Temple University financial aid need equal to or exceeding the award amount. If you have received loans and/or financial aid up to the limit of the full cost of attendance during the 2024-2025 academic year at Temple University, your stipend will lower the loan amount instead of being paid out as a refund. Please contact or visit Student Financial Services to speak to a representative about your specific account if you are not sure. If you find when speaking to them that there is any issue with you receiving this award in the summer, please contact Anisha Bhat at [click-for-email] immediately.

Revise your application essays (with assistance from your faculty mentor and by making an appointment with the Office of Scholar Development and Fellowships Advising). When you are ready, submit your application! An automated email will be sent to your faculty mentor prompting them to submit their letter of recommendation through the system within one week.

Applications to present a research/creative project at a conference are accepted on a rolling basis; please submit at least four (4) weeks before the scheduled travel. Maximum Travel Grant is $1,000, including group travel as co-authors/presenters. Travel arrangements are subject to Temple's travel policy and procedures. International travel is subject to Temple's International Travel Policy including any required additional applications and approvals, deadlines for which may be well in advance of travel.

• Current full-time undergraduates at the time of application and travel
• Travel to a conference is supported only when the student is presenting
• Applications for Travel Grants can be submitted without notification of acceptance to present, but grant decisions will not be made until notification of acceptance to present has been provided
• Have a $0 tuition balance and not be in Temple University financial delinquency
• If you receive financial aid, have unmet Temple University financial aid need equal to or exceeding the amount of the requested award (schedule appointment with Student Financial Services for this information)*
• Students can only receive one award in an academic year.
• Travel arrangements are subject to Temple's travel policy and procedures. International travel is subject to Temple's International Travel Policy including any required additional applications and approvals, deadlines for which may be well in advance of travel.
• Only travel to/from the conference city, lodging, and conference registration fees are eligible expenses. Local travel (within Philadelphia or within the conference city) and meals are NOT eligible expenses for the CARAS grant

* If you have received loans and/or financial aid up to the limit of the full cost of attendance during the 2024-2025 academic year at Temple University, your CARAS award will lower the loan amount and not be paid out as a refund. Please contact or visit Student Financial Services to speak to a representative about your specific account if you are not sure. You are still welcome to apply to the program, but please ensure that you are fully aware of any potential financial aid implications of your award.

All CARAS Travel Grant payments are made as reimbursements upon completion of travel and provision of necessary documentation and receipts. No funds are paid in advance. Eligible purchases made by faculty mentors or university departments will be reimbursed to the appropriate FOAPAL. Reimbursements made directly to students are applied as a scholarship to the student’s Bursar billing account through Student Financial Services and will be processed as a refund. Award recipients must comply with the following rules and stipulations shown below:

• To be eligible to receive the award, your Bursar account must be current ($0 balance). Any outstanding balance will be paid, or partially paid, by the award. This includes your fall and/or spring tuition bill.
• Payments are received via a refund from your Bursar account. Students with direct deposit setup on their Bursar account will receive stipends to the currently listed bank account. Students can set up direct deposit via TUpay on the Student Tools Tab of the TUportal.
• In order to receive the full award amount as a refund, you must have unmet Temple University financial need equal to or exceeding the award amount. If you have received loans and/or financial aid up to the limit of the full cost of attendance during the 2024-2025 academic year at Temple University, your award will lower the loan amount instead of being paid out as a refund. Please contact or visit Student Financial Services to speak to a representative about your specific account if you are not sure.

* We recommend that students create a draft application first to view the application prompts and ensure there are no access issues before submitting. Drafts can be saved and edited later until submission.

Access the application through TUPortal (no paper/PDF applications will be accepted):

CARAS TRAVEL GRANT APPLICATION

CARAS Travel Grant Application Guides with Screenshots:

Step-by-Step Guide to CARAS Portal application for STUDENT APPLICANTS (PDF)

Step-by-Step Guide to CARAS Portal application for FACULTY MENTORS (PDF)

Application Components

• Conference name, location, and dates; Travel start and end dates
• Presentation title and format
• Abstract (max 250 words)
• Proposed Budget
  • Eligible budget categories include transportation, lodging, and/or conference registration fees. You will be asked to provide an itemization of these expenses according to best estimates (nightly hotel rates, plane/train ticket cost etc.) as well as a rationale for your budget
• Co-Presenters
  • Though not typical, group submissions are accepted subject to meeting eligibility criteria and if there is a good rationale
• Faculty endorsement
  • Type the email address of a full-time Temple faculty member who is familiar with your research/creative project and endorses your conference travel.
• Conference Acceptance Letter
  • Upload a copy of your conference acceptance email/letter. Please wait until you are ready to submit your application before uploading your pdf. Only students who have been accepted to present at a conference are eligible to apply for the Travel Grant.

Overview of Application Process

1. Applicant submits online application form (ideally at least 4 weeks before conference travel) and provides Temple email for endorsing full-time faculty member
2. Endorsing faculty notified of student submission over email, endorses application and submits letter of recommendation through Enrichment Programs online portal
3. Complete application packages automatically forwarded to applicants’ Designated School/College CARAS Travel Grant Reviewers for preliminary review and finalist selection. The Designated School/College CARAS Travel Grant Reviewer is determined by the student’s home college.
4. Finalist applications automatically forwarded to Undergraduate Studies CARAS Team for award decisions.
5. Awarded students and endorsing faculty notified of decisions over email and through Enrichment Programs Portal.