Rodney A. Erickson Discovery Grant Program

The Rodney A. Erickson Discovery Grant Program, offered through Penn State Undergraduate Education, is designed to promote original research, scholarship, and creative work by undergraduate students under faculty supervision. Named in honor of Penn State’s seventeenth President, the program supports students who are interested in immersive, student-driven summer projects across diverse fields including the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and social sciences. These grants aim to foster student independence, emphasizing hands-on experience in project design, implementation, and dissemination of results through reporting, exhibitions, or performances. Each Erickson Discovery Grant awards $5,000 to undergraduate students enrolled at Penn State, providing financial support for both living expenses and project-related costs such as materials, books, travel for data collection, and software. The program prioritizes initiatives that reflect the student's own intellectual curiosity and academic engagement, rather than projects that serve as simple extensions of faculty-led research. Funds are disbursed to student accounts, which may affect student financial aid or be applied to outstanding charges. Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students enrolled at any Penn State campus, eligible from the summer following their first year through the summer before their final year. A key requirement is the commitment of a Penn State faculty supervisor who will actively support and evaluate the project. Projects must be grounded in academic disciplines, with clear educational or scholarly goals. Study abroad programs, non-research travel, or other activities lacking academic grounding are not eligible for funding under this program. The application process requires submission of a two-page project proposal authored by the student, detailing the research question or creative objective, proposed methodology, personal motivation and preparation, and the anticipated role of the faculty supervisor. Additionally, one letter of recommendation must be submitted by the supervising faculty member, which should include an evaluation of the student's proposal and capabilities. Only one application per student is allowed. Students receiving grants must fulfill specific requirements, including securing approvals for research involving human subjects, animals, or biohazards by June 1, 2026, through Penn State’s Office for Research Protections. For projects involving international travel, students must comply with the University’s travel policy and register with the Travel Safety Network, including obtaining international medical insurance. International students must also complete IRS reporting requirements to receive funds. Grant recipients must submit a one-page final report, and faculty supervisors are expected to provide a one-page evaluation by August 31, 2026. If enrolled the following spring, students are also expected to present their project outcomes at Penn State's Undergraduate Exhibition. Applications for summer 2026 funding are due by Monday, February 16, 2026, and students will be notified of decisions by the end of Spring Break. Questions can be directed to Alan Rieck, associate vice provost and associate dean for undergraduate education, at 814-863-1864 or ajr83@psu.edu.

Emphasize student-initiated work; avoid projects that merely assist faculty.