Truman’s Office of Student Research sponsors TruScholars Summer Undergraduate Research Program projects each summer. Projects will be funded up to a maximum value of $5,750, including a $3,500 max student stipend and $1,750 max mentor stipend. The purpose of this grant is to promote intensive, faculty-student collaborative research to enhance student learning and promote a culture of research, scholarship, and creative activities at Truman. Projects supported by this program should exhibit the potential for scholarly publication, presentation at a regional or national conference, public performance or a gallery exhibit.

The formal part of the 2026 TruScholars program will coincide with the eight-week Summer semester (Monday, June 1, through Friday, July 24). During this time, students should devote full-time effort to their project, and faculty mentors should be regularly available for consultation and collaboration.

Eligibility

Students from all disciplines are invited to apply. To be eligible for funding, you must:

• be a currently enrolled, full-time Truman undergraduate student
• be mentored by a Truman faculty member (the Truman faculty member MUST be the primary research mentor)
• be in good academic standing
• plan to graduate no earlier than the Fall semester following program participation
• have completed your freshman year by May preceding participation in the program

Students may not receive a TruScholars award during the same semester that they are funded through another program such as GIASR or McNair. Students are only eligible for one TruScholars award per call. Students who have already participated in the TruScholars program are eligible to participate again; however, selection preference will go toward students who have not completed the TruScholars program before. Submitted proposals should be for original projects and should not be a continuation or duplication of the student’s prior TruScholars project.

To apply for the TruScholars program, students should first identify a Truman faculty member who agrees to serve as the student’s primary research mentor, then work with the research mentor to prepare the application materials. Please do not include your name on the separate application materials that will be submitted, including in the document title. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THIS RULE WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION.

Required Program Elements

• Students are expected to attend at least 5 professional development events throughout the 8 week term and present at the Summer Research Symposium in August.
• Faculty mentors are required to participate in leading at least one professional development event, attend as many events as feasible, and attend the Summer Research Symposium.

2026 TruScholars Schedule

To be determined