Important Dates
Application opens: TBD
Application closes: May 1 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Application status: August 20, 2026
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.
Current graduate students enrolled full time in a master’s or doctoral program at an active NCAA member institution.
Applications are submitted online through the NCAA Program Hub. Submissions take approximately 15–20 minutes to complete.
Research must commence no later than October 1, 2026, with all findings submitted by June 30, 2027.
Free to apply. Up to $7,500 awarded per recipient to cover research expenses, paid directly to the recipient’s institution.
Why Participate?
Fund up to $7,500 in research expenses including data collection, analysis, conference travel and educational costs.
Advance your thesis or doctoral dissertation with dedicated financial support and NCAA staff guidance.
Contribute to the empirical knowledge base on intercollegiate athletics and make a meaningful impact on the NCAA membership.
Connect your research with institutions, athletics administrators and student-athletes who can put your findings into practice.
Through rigorous research and peer review, grant recipients produce high-quality findings that inform decision-making across college sports and elevate the next generation of sports researchers.
Eligibility
- Must be enrolled full time in a master’s or doctoral program at an active NCAA member institution at the time of application and during the award period.
- Proposed research must be in progress during the award period — completed studies are not eligible.
- Must have completed coursework in research methods and data analysis.
- Research must be conducted in the social or behavioral sciences.
- Must have faculty advisor approval prior to submission.
- Projects in exercise science or physical health and safety are not eligible for this grant.
Resources
Innovations Grant
The NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant Program supported research and data-driven pilot projects designed to enhance student-athlete psychosocial well-being and mental health. Funded projects demonstrated potential to result in campus-level programming that could positively impact the well-being of NCAA student-athletes at a range of member institutions. The grant program was discontinued in 2026.