NCAA Graduate Student Research Grant Program

NCAA Graduate Student Research Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: National Collegiate Athletic Association
Amount: Up to US $7,500
Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Summary

The NCAA Graduate Student Research Grant Program offers funding up to $7,500 for graduate research focused on intercollegiate athletics and the psychosocial experiences of college student-athletes. It aims to enhance empirical research and provide financial support for high-quality projects. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program at an NCAA member institution and engage in research during the award period. The program prioritizes studies that advance understanding in social and behavioral sciences.

Overview

NCAA Graduate Student Research Grant Program 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. The goals of the program are: to stimulate research on intercollegiate athletics;to foster contributions to the empirical research on intercollegiate athletics;to provide financial support to graduate students interested in engaging in high-quality research related to intercollegiate athletics; and to assist NCAA institutions and the public in gaining access to new, outstanding research in this field. We invite research proposals examining the role of intercollegiate athletics in higher education and the college student-athlete psychosocial experience. Research topics may include, but are not limited to: Analytic philosophical/historical accounts of intercollegiate athletics; Best practices for academic support of student-athletes; Diversity and inclusion issues in intercollegiate athletics; Finances of intercollegiate athletics; Gambling and wagering on college sports; Student-athlete integration into the campus community; Student-athlete transfer and degree attainment; and The impact of participation in intercollegiate athletics on the academic or social experiences of student-athletes This grant program is intended to support research primarily in the social and behavioral sciences. Students whose research is nested within exercise sciences, physical health and safety are encouraged to explore funding opportunities through their academic and professional organizations. Funding The research grant is a one-time award set at a maximum of $7,500. Funding requests for educational expenses cannot exceed $2,000, funding for hardware (e.g., laptop computer) not central to the collection of research may not exceed $1,500 and funding for conference travel/participation may not exceed $2,000.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program at an active or reclassifying NCAA member institution at the time of application submission and during the award period. Additionally, the proposed research (i.e., data collection, data analyses or writing of findings) must be in progress during the award period. Thus, projects must have received approval from one’s advisor or dissertation/ thesis committee prior to proposal submission. Research grants are intended to support students conducting research in conjunction with a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation, or for external publication in a scholarly journal

Ineligibility

Completed studies are not eligible to receive funding.Indirect costs will not be funded.