Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR)

• The amount of funding is up to $1,000 per academic year towards faculty-directed research activities. No independent student research projects will be funded.
• Although specific time commitments may vary based on the research project, students should expect to conduct research 8-10 hours per week for at least 10 weeks per semester.
• The primary purpose of this funding is to assist the student researcher with the expenses they incur while working on their SOAR research project. The student may use the funding toward the purchase of necessary equipment and/or materials, but we cannot directly purchase equipment or compensate third parties through SOAR.
• Students who are already receiving funding through the ExL Award, Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship (PURF), other USC research or travel funding sources, funds from their research lab, or research-related work-study funding may not receive SOAR funds for the same time period.
• Students applying for Maymester funding may apply for only one course program. Course changes will not be accepted unless the original course is canceled. If a course is canceled, a second review will be conducted to determine eligibility, and updated application materials may be requested. No other requests to change application materials will be accepted.
• Students who are awarded Spring 2027 SOAR Maymester funding are not eligible to apply for regular Spring 2027 SOAR funding.
• The funding is credited to the student’s university account. This may affect student financial aid packages.  It is the student’s responsibility to contact the USC Financial Aid office (askUSC) to discuss the potential impact of a SOAR award.
• If the student fails to meet research obligations with a professor’s project and final approval is denied by the student’s faculty mentor, the SOAR award may be rescinded and charged to the student’s university account.

Spring 2027 Maymester Courses

• Dornsife FLP: Advanced Techniques in Field Mammalogy (BISC 364L)
• Dornsife FLP: Encountering Zen in Japan (REL 332)
• Dornsife FLP: International Geodesign (SSCI 350)
• Dornsife FLP: A Heaven of Eating and Drinking’ Food Justice in Hong Kong (CORE 301)
• Dornsife FLP: Human Rights in the Caucasus: Georgia and Armenia (IR499)
• Dornsife FLP: Aquatic Microbiology (BISC 431)
• Dornsife FLP: Methods in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography (BISC 457)
• Dornsife FLP: Coastal Zone Sustainability (ENST 483)
• Dornsife FLP: Waves of Change: Global Coastal Environmental Histories (ENST 484)
• Dornsife FLP: Writing Place in Sydney (WRIT 380)
• Dornsife FLP: Cultural Writing in London (WRIT 380)
• Dornsife FLP: Sustaining La Dolce Vita: Writing Alternative Ecologies in Northern Italy (WRIT 380)

Visit Faculty Led Programs for additional program information.

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative USC GPA. Freshmen and new transfer students are not eligible to apply until a USC GPA is calculated.
• Declared major in USC Dornsife
• Full-time enrollment at USC for the entire academic year (i.e., registered for at least 12 undergraduate units each semester). Seniors with Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 enrollment are eligible to apply. Seniors participating in a Maymester and graduating after the course ends are not eligible to apply.
• Graduate students and students with 144 units or more are not eligible to apply.
• Must not have already received the maximum SOAR funding during the academic year for which you are applying. Up to $1,000 can be awarded per student, per academic year.
• Students who are already receiving funding through the ExL Award, Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship (PURF), other USC research funding sources, funds from their research lab, or research-related work-study funding may not receive SOAR funds for the same time period.
• Maymester applicants must meet all eligibility requirements both at the time of application and before award disbursement. Awards are conditional until all eligibility requirements have been met.
• Each student must have a Dornsife faculty mentor who meets one of the following criteria:

1. 1.  Tenured or Tenure-Track
   2.  Non-Tenure Track with a research profile
   3.  Professional School faculty member with a joint appointment in USC Dornsife
   4. Teaching approved Maymester course (See list of approved courses)

Faculty not listed in the application are not eligible to serve as SOAR mentors.  

Fall 2026: Thursday, August 13, 2026 – Thursday, September 3, 2026

Maymester 2027: Thursday, October 1, 2026 – Thursday, November 5, 2026

Spring 2027: Thursday, December 3, 2026 – Thursday, January 14, 2027

All students, including previous SOAR recipients, must submit a new application each Fall and Spring funding cycle. 

• SOAR online application: Access the SOAR application here during the application period.
  
• Research Proposal / Personal Statement (Regular SOAR Applicants Only):
  Write a one-to-two-page personal statement that describes your interest in and commitment to your faculty mentor’s research project. Explain the research focus of the project, why it is meaningful to you, and how it aligns with your academic background, career goals, and personal motivations. Describe the specific contributions you expect to make to the project, including any relevant skills, experiences, or perspectives you bring. Reflect on how participating in this research will support your intellectual and professional development. Finally, indicate whether you have applied for any other research grants, fellowships, or funding opportunities, and briefly describe them if applicable.
• Personal Statement for Maymester Applicants Only:  

  In a one-to-two-page personal, respond to the following prompt:

  Tell us about yourself and explain how participating in your Maymester course will enrich your academic experience and help you achieve your future educational and career goals. Reflect on your achievements, experiences at USC, and personal or academic interests, and describe what you hope to gain from this opportunity.

  Be sure to include the following in your response:

  • The course number and course title.
  • A brief description of the course’s research objectives.
  • Whether you have applied for any other grants, scholarships, or fellowships to support your participation in this opportunity.

• SOAR faculty letter of recommendation: The application will generate an email to your faculty mentor so they can upload your recommendation letter directly to your application. The recommendation letter must be submitted by an eligible faculty member who is the same faculty member you will be working with for your SOAR project. Recommendation letters are not required for Maymesters; a copy of the class syllabus will be accepted in lieu of the recommendation letter. (Please review faculty section for more details)
• For applicants wishing to conduct research with human subjects, your faculty mentor will be asked to provide IRB approval or exemption. If you do not know if the project requires IRB approval, please consult your faculty mentor.

At the conclusion of the semester, SOAR recipients are required to submit a one-page report with their faculty mentor’s signature. The report is a brief summary of your overall experience. If you fail to submit the SOAR report, your SOAR funding will be rescinded and you will become ineligible for SOAR and SURF/SHURE funding in future terms.  

The SOAR report, signed by the faculty mentor of your research project, should be submitted via the instructions indicated on the award agreement.

Click here to access the SOAR report guidelines.

SOAR Report Deadlines:

• Fall 2026: Monday, December 21, 2026
• Spring 2027: Monday, April 19, 2027
• Maymester 2027: Monday, June 21, 2027

Yes, students are allowed to apply for multiple funding opportunities during the same period. However, you may only accept funding from one source for the same research period. Students awarded a full-academic year award in the fall are not eligible to apply for funds in the spring. 

You must disclose your intent to apply for other funding sources in your SOAR application proposal. If you are offered and accept funding from another source before receiving a notification from SOAR, you are required to inform our office immediately. Your application for SOAR will automatically be closed if you accept funds from another source. Any offers from SOAR are also voided if you accept funds from other sources.

Students who fail to disclose receiving multiple awards for research will have their SOAR awards rescinded, and will become ineligible for SOAR/SURF/SHURE/ExL funding in future terms. 

No, students may only receive research funding from one source during the same period. If you are receiving funding through a paid research laboratory position or a research-related work-study position, you are not eligible to apply for SOAR.

Hours are based on an agreement between the faculty mentor and the student. Most students spend at least 10 hours per week for at least 10 weeks for fall and spring and 20 hours per week for at least 8 weeks during the summer to obtain a truly meaningful research experience. SOAR and SURF are flat rate awards. We do not translate the funding into an hourly wage.

If you are unable to acquire a signature on your report, please attach an email approval to your report and upload through the link that was provided in your agreement.

The one page report doesn’t require explicit details of your research and results. Avoid including figures, data or references. We want you to share a summary of the research project and what you got out of the experience.

Click here to access guidelines for the SOAR report.

Please do not submit formal research reports. Refer to the guidelines and example provided.

Yes, your report must be limited to one page. You are only required to briefly describe the research. These reports often go to donors who are interested in your contribution and your overall personal experience.