The Keller Center provides funding to support engineering students participating in STEM- or humanities-focused research and development activities, as well as non-engineering students participating in STEM-focused projects during the academic year. Projects that also relate to entrepreneurship and design thinking are encouraged.
By applying, you are requesting funding. Requests are not always granted; if they are, you may not be granted the total requested amount. Individuals may receive up to $1,000 per academic year; groups/clubs may receive up to $3,000 per academic year.
Eligibility
- Princeton undergraduate and graduate students and student organizations (NOTE: E-Club teams must request funding through your co-presidents)
- Must be engineering student(s) or the project must have STEM focus
- For an outside event, you must be actively involved as a speaker or presenter; funding requests for attendance only will not be accepted
Funding may not be used for classwork, junior independent work, senior thesis research, or startup funding; instead:
- Students may search the Student Activities Funding Engine (SAFE) for other opportunities
- B.S.E. students may also apply for School of Engineering and Applied Science thesis and independent work funds
- For startup funding, consider Keller Center's eLab program or the student-led Prospect Student Ventures (PSV) initiative
Application Period
- Opens: September 22, 2024
- Closes: March 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
- Decisions typically within three weeks of submission
Application Requirements
Prepare
- Discuss the proposed project with your faculty or staff adviser
- Ensure your adviser will provide a recommendation
- Create a thorough, accurate, and reasonable budget with cost justifications
- If the proposal includes travel, itinerary must be submitted and approved in Enroll My Trip and you must abide by all University travel rules and regulations
- If the project is for an unofficial (not ODUS registered) group that does not have a group ID to access the group SAFE application, you must have an administrator sponsor your activity by requesting a group ID; the sponsor will need to provide the chart string in the request that will receive the awarded funds
APPLY
- There are separate SAFE funding opportunities for undergraduate students, graduate students, individuals, and groups; be sure you are selecting the correct activity type
- Answer all questions and upload all documents as indicated on the application, including recommendation; incomplete applications will not be considered
- Ensure you have a strong adviser endorsement and a feasible budget
- If the proposal includes travel, you must apply a minimum of one month prior to your travel date, and three months is recommended for complex travel; funds will not be released until Enroll My Trip reads complete for all participants
Report Out
By the deadline indicated in the SAFE award letter, you must:
- Upload a final report containing an acknowledgement letter to the donor of the funds (name is listed on award letter), a narrative account of the research/activities undertaken with the support of the award, and a minimum of two photos documenting the project period
- Substantiate all expenses by uploading a full accounting, including portions of the award covered by other funders, and all receipts
- Return unspent funds via check or money order payable to Princeton University Trustees and delivered to the Princeton Entrepreneurial Hub, Room 113
- Follow all special instructions included in the award letter
NOTE: Application opening September 22 - check back on or after that date for the SAFE application link.