USC College's commitment to supporting undergraduate research in collaboration with USC Faculty.

The SOAR program provides funding to undergraduates for participation as a research assistant in a faculty member’s project, or who wish to pursue a scholarly research project of their own choosing (sponsored and supervised by a faculty member). SOAR allows all students to be mentored one-on-one by USC faculty, and introduces students early in their academic careers to the process of serious scholarly inquiry. SOAR is for research during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year. Funding applications are accepted throughout the academic year. For our summer undergraduate research funding opportunity, called SURF, click here.

Eligibility:

• SOAR is available to students who have a declared major in the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. For a list of majors within the College, click here.

• Full-time enrollment at USC for the entire academic year is required.

• A USC cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 or higher is required.

Funding Guidelines:

• The amount of the stipend is $1000 towards non-course related research activity.

• The primary purpose of the stipends is to cover expenses directly related to a research project. This commonly includes research materials, equipment, or equipment rental. The stipend may also be used to fund research-related travel. The funds may be used to compensate students for their time only if all other research expenses are already covered by another source.

• A detailed budget accounting for all SOAR funding must be submitted with the application.

• The stipend is a single payment credited to the student’s university account. This may initially affect the student’s financial aid award, but if this happens, alternate arrangements can be made. More information will be provided to the recipient.

• If the student fails to complete the project successfully or fails to meet research obligations with a professor's project, and a final approval is denied by the student’s faculty sponsor, the funds will be withdrawn and $1000 will be applied to the student’s university account.

Steps to Apply for SOAR Funding:

• Draft a one page description (500 word maximum) of the research plan in collaboration with a faculty sponsor. The faculty sponsor must either be conducting research that the student will assist with, or be a professor in the field that the will conduct their own research. 
• Prepare a budget of how the SOAR funding will be spent.
• Ask the faculty sponsor to write a letter of recommendation in support of the research project, or outlining the student’s role as a research assistant.
• Print out and complete this application form, and a current STARS report from OASIS.

Submit the following: 

• Application Form, click here   
• One page research proposal
• Budget
• Letter of Recommendation
• STARS Report

Deliver to:

College Dean’s Office, ADM 304

For Questions, call: (213) 740-2531