The NCAA Graduate Student Research Grant Program provides funding for graduate student research examining the role of intercollegiate athletics in higher education and the college student-athlete psychosocial experience. Grants are set at a maximum of $7,500 and are available to graduate students enrolled at NCAA member institutions.

Program goals

• Stimulate research on intercollegiate athletics
• Build the empirical knowledge base on college sports
• Provide financial support to graduate student researchers
• Increase access to high-quality findings for NCAA members and the public

Who's Eligible?

• Be enrolled full time in a master’s or doctoral program at an active or reclassifying NCAA member institution during the award period
• Propose research in the social or behavioral sciences that aligns with NCAA priorities such as academics, health and safety, equity and student-athlete well-being
  • Example topics include:
    • Philosophical or historical analyses of intercollegiate athletics
    • Academic support practices for student-athletes
    • Diversity, equity and inclusion in college sports
    • Finances of intercollegiate athletics
    • Sports wagering and gambling on college sports
    • Student-athlete integration into campus life
    • Student-athlete social media use
    • Student-athlete transfer and degree attainment
    • Impact of participation in intercollegiate athletics on academic or social experiences
  • Projects in exercise science or physical health and safety should seek discipline-specific funding
• Have completed coursework in research methods and data analysis
• Demonstrate faculty support for the project, including a faculty advisor endorsement
• Plan to conduct the proposed study during the award period; completed projects are not eligible

How to Apply

Student researchers apply directly through the NCAA Program Hub; applicants should work with their campus grants or foundation office early because funds are paid to the institution, and submissions may be edited in Program Hub until the deadline. Registration and submission typically require 15–20 minutes.

Application packet must include:

• Completed NCAA Graduate Student Research Grant application
• Submit one combined PDF containing the sections below
  • Title page
    • Study title
    • Applicant name and institution
    • Applicant mailing address, phone number and email address
    • Institutional grants or foundation officer name and contact information (for fund disbursement if awarded)
  • Proposal narrative, up to five double-spaced pages
    • Abstract, up to 100 words summarizing the proposed research, anticipated findings and implications
    • Research questions, up to 100 words listing the questions guiding the study
    • Methodology - research design; sample/subject selection and recruitment; data collection; instruments/protocols; analytic approach; anticipated limitations
    • Significance and potential implications for NCAA members (institutions, athletics administrators and student-athletes)
  • Bibliography using APA, MLA or the citation style of the discipline
  • Timeline, up to one page
  • Budget and justification, up to one page
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae, up to two pages
  • Additional materials (optional): survey instruments, interview protocols or other tools referenced in the methods
• Two recommendations - Graduate advisor, professor or other qualified evaluator familiar with the applicant’s research

Formatting

• 8.5"×11" pages, one-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman (or similar)

Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval is not required at submission but must follow institutional policies.

Selection Criteria

• Relevance: Alignment to NCAA priorities and importance to the membership
• Quality: Strength of the research questions, design and measures
• Feasibility: Applicant preparation, access to sample and realistic timeline
• Budget and overall strength: Appropriate and achievable use of funds

Award Details

• One-time awards up to $7,500 for research expenses
• Typically four to five recipients selected annually
• Funding is nonrenewable

Allowable uses

• Data collection, analysis and dissemination costs
• Educational expenses up to $2,000
• Hardware up to $1,500 when not central to data collection; higher amounts permitted when essential to gather data
• Academic conference travel up to $2,000

Funding rules

• No indirect or administrative costs
• 90% of funds disbursed upon award; remaining 10% after final expense report
• Funds paid to the recipient’s institution and must be spent within the award period
• Final summary of research or report of findings required
• Participant compensation is permitted consistent with NCAA bylaws and IRB approval