Apply for Project Funding
Project funding is available to make undergraduate experiential learning possible and may be used for materials and supplies essential to achieving your project goals.
Apply for Funding
Both individuals and groups can apply for funding.
Maximum funding for individuals: $750.
There are three required pieces to the Individual Project Funding Application.
1. The online application.
2. The Project Funding Signature Form (Individual).
- To complete the Project Funding Signature Form, all signatures must be obtained, and you must submit it via email to on or before the funding deadline.
3. Complete the Preparation Phase of an ELN Digital Badge
- Before submitting your application, you must sign up for the ELN Digital Badge and complete the two required activities in the Preparation Phase.
- To sign up
- If your project is listed on the Project Portal, follow the "Start the Project" instructions on the listing.
- If your project is NOT listed on the Project Portal, you may access the directly.
- Within 1-2 business days of submitting your sign-up form, you will receive an email with a link to complete the two required Preparation Phase activities.
For your application to be reviewed, you must submit all of the above application materials on or before the funding deadline.
NOTE: If you start a funding application form and must stop for any reason, click "Save and Resume Later" to generate a unique link. You can use that link anytime within 30 days to complete your submission.
Signature Forms
Signature forms must be submitted via email to before your funding application is considered complete.
Maximum funding for group projects: $1,000.
There are three pieces required for the Group Project Funding Application.
1. The online application.
2. The Project Funding Signature Form (group).
- To complete the Project Funding Signature Form, all signatures must be obtained, and you must submit it via email to on or before the funding deadline.
3. Complete the Preparation Phase of an ELN Digital Badge
- Before submitting your application, each group member must sign up for the ELN Digital Badge and individually complete the two required activities in the Preparation Phase.
- To sign up
- If your project is listed on the Project Portal, follow the "Start the Project" instructions on the listing.
- If your project is NOT listed on the Project Portal, you may access the directly.
- Within 1-2 business days of submitting your sign-up form, you will receive an email with a link to complete the two required Preparation Phase activities.
For your application to be reviewed, you must submit all of the above application materials on or before the funding deadline.
NOTE: If you start a funding application form and must stop for any reason, click "Save and Resume Later" to generate a unique link. You can use that link anytime within 30 days to complete your submission.
Signature Forms
Signature forms must be submitted via email to before your funding application is considered complete.
Deadlines
Project Funding application deadlines for the current academic year are as follows:
- Oct. 1, 2025
- Nov. 5, 2025
- Feb. 11, 2026
- April 8, 2026
Please note, applications will be reviewed after each deadline closes.
What You Should Know Before Getting Started
1. Confirm your eligibility for project funding.
To be eligible for project funding, you must meet the following:
- You must be a current UB undergraduate student.
- ELN funding can only be obtained once per project. We are unable to fund the same project more than once.
- All students who receive ELN Project Funding must earn their ELN Digital Badge before they are eligible to apply for any ELN Funding for future projects.
Use of Funds
Funds must be used to support student projects directly and cannot be used to build out faculty lab or research infrastructure.
ELN Funding cannot be used to purchase gifts or compensate anyone, including research participants, for their time.
This funding opportunity is not meant to subsidize courses. Senior design projects and projects required for a course are NOT eligible to receive this funding.
Please contact our office before submitting your application if you are unsure whether a specific budget item is allowable.
2. Review the criteria for evaluating funding applications.
- All sections of the online application must be thoroughly completed and submitted by the funding deadline.
- A completed signature page must be submitted by the funding deadline.
- Quality of writing: Well-written with very few, if any, errors. Strong evidence of proofreading. (The Center for Excellence in Writing is available to support the development of your application.)
- The project description should be well-composed, professionally written, and demonstrate sufficient research and preparation by the student.
- Methods should be clearly described, detailing what you will do throughout the project and how you will perform these tasks.
- The application should clearly describe how the project will enhance your learning experience and contribute new information to the field.
- The budget must be itemized with proof of the exact cost for all listed items.
- Each budget item must have a well-articulated justification for why it is necessary for your project to take place.
Note: If you're unsure if a specific budget item is allowable, contact our office before submission for clarification.
3. Be aware of the funding timeline.
- After the funding deadline, the ELN staff will review all applications and email you directly with a funding decision. Depending on the volume of submissions, decisions can take 1-2 weeks.
- After funding decisions are announced, the transfer of funds may take several weeks.