Research

Get internal funding for your research project.

The URG program:

• Funds significant research programs that have a high probability of acquiring external funding
• Complements awards obtained from an external agency
• Supports quality scholarly undertakings that are deemed important to the discipline, but not designed to directly pursue extramural supports

Complete a URG application Email your completed application to Dr. Cara Rabe-Hemp.

Due Date: First Tuesday in February by 4 p.m.

Samples

Get guidance on quality writing and content for a URG application.

Download sample URG sections

Download a sample scoring rubric

Guidelines

While there are basic features of the program that are common to all colleges on campus, each college determines its own guidelines and conducts its own review of submitted grant proposals. CAST faculty must abide by these guidelines.

Get reimbursed for publishing, exhibitions, and performances.

Apply through the Illinois State University Review website

Include a receipt or invoice and canceled check/credit card statement and a copy of your publication.

Get reimbursed for publishing books that require a subvention.

Email Cara Rabe-Hemp to request book subvention funds. Include a copy of a paid receipt from the book publisher.

Amount: Up to $200 from CAST with additional funds from the University Research and Sponsored Programs office.

Eligibility

Scholarly books in all disciplines are eligible to apply.

• Tenured and tenure-track faculty
• Emeritus faculty members producing scholarly works that carry an Illinois State affiliation

Not Accepted

• Textbooks
• Re-publications of previous works
• Books produced by vanity
• Predatory publishers

Receive travel funds when you present at a conference.

Amount: Up to $500 annually

Eligibility

All tenured, tenure track, and 100% employed continuing non-tenure track faculty are eligible to apply.  Applications must be approved prior to travel.

To request funding for travel occuring after July 1, 2025, apply here.

Get travel funds when you publish an article in a national level refereed journal or have a chapter or book published for national distribution.

Amount: Up to $1,200

For publications released after July 1, 2025, apply here.

Eligibility

All tenured, tenure track, and 100% employed continuing non-tenure track faculty are eligible to apply. You must be the sole author, part of a group of authors, or have joint authorship with at least one CAST student.

If you previously received an award from the College for a given work, you are not eligible to apply.

Students can receive funds when presenting at a state, regional, or national conference.

Amount: Up to $250

To request funding for travel occuring after July 1, 2025, apply here.

Eligibility

Graduate and undergraduate students who have completed a research project within the past year can apply. Recipients are only eligible for one award per fiscal year.

Requirements

• Projects must be completed under the direction of a CAST faculty member.
• Travel must occur during the current fiscal year.
• The student or students must be making the presentation.