Graduate Research Mini-Grants
Applications are now open!
Graduate Research Mini-Grants at the Research Institute of the Center for Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity (CCSRE) support research on race and/or ethnicity by Stanford doctoral students. Mini-grants are intended to support expenses associated with research, training, and/or community-building that would not otherwise be funded by a student’s home department. The mini-grants are awarded in the amount of $1,000 and must be used in the designated quarter.
Funded activities must be directly connected to a student’s dissertation project. Grants may be used to support fieldwork, conference travel to present research findings, material costs (e.g., books, equipment rentals, digital tools for data analysis), and travel for archival work, but they may not be used to pay tuition, cover general living expenses, or hire support (e.g., transcription services or undergraduate workers). Students should only apply to support research that they are personally spearheading and should not apply to support faculty-led projects.
Students are expected to provide a brief account of their research to be published on the Center website and newsletter and will also be invited to present their work at events such as the Research Institute Open House. Grant recipients should acknowledge the support of the CCSRE Research Institute in any presentations, publications, or deliverables resulting from their funded research. Suggested language to include: “This research was supported by a Graduate Research Mini-Grant from the Research Institute of the Center for Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity (CCSRE) at Stanford University.”
Eligibility
- All currently enrolled Stanford PhD students; preference will be given to CSRE PhD Minors, CCSRE Graduate Fellows, and CCSRE instructors.
- Grant recipients must be enrolled during the quarter in which they receive funding.
- Applicants’ research must advance the study of race and/or ethnicity.
- Prior applicants may reapply for funding for different projects or may resubmit improved versions of earlier submissions.
- Requests must be for expenses that are not covered by other funding sources.
- Applicants may simultaneously apply for other sources of funding, but must note this is in the application and may not accept multiple sources of funding for the same expenses.
Important Dates
Fall Application Cycle (grant to be spent in Fall quarter 2026 or Winter quarter 2027)
- Applications Open: August 2026
- Application Deadline: October 5, 2026
- Awardees Announced: November 2026
Spring Application Cycle (grant to be spent in Winter or Spring quarter 2027)
- Applications Open: December 1, 2026
- Application Deadline: January 25, 2027
- Awardees Announced: February 2027
Application Requirements
- Project Proposal: 1- to 2-page project proposal summarizing the project’s research questions, methods, and emerging findings (if applicable), as well as a plan for using the grant funding (e.g., for fieldwork activities, conference details and presentation plans, materials to be purchased, etc.).
- Budget: An itemized budget of research-related expenses totalling up to $1,000 (expenses of more than $1,000 may be included, but only $1,000 will be supported by the grant). List all anticipated sources of funding and indicate which budget items will be covered by this grant and which are covered by other sources.
- Resume/CV
- Unofficial Transcript
- Recommendation: The applicant’s dissertation advisor or dissertation committee member must complete a brief recommendation form by the application deadline.
Faculty Recommendation
Also projects must be recommended by the applicant’s dissertation advisor or committee member. Recommenders must complete THIS BRIEF FORM by the application deadline. Letters from CCSRE faculty affiliates are preferred, though not required. An application will not be considered complete until the recommendation form is completed. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that their recommendation is completed by the recommender by the deadline.
Taxes
- International students may have taxes deducted before stipend funds are released.
- Stipends may be considered taxable for the recipient. The tax obligation varies according to factors including the student’s total income, dependency status, treaty status for international students, and individual circumstances.
- For assistance with tax withholding, tax treaty and tax form issues, submit a Support Request and visit this Student Services website page for more tax information.
- Student Financial Services, the Bechtel International Center, and Stanford’s Fingate provide additional information regarding tax considerations.
Questions?
If you have any questions or need assistance with your application, please contact Saimary Velázquez Carrasquillo, CCSRE Administrative Associate, at svelazq [at] stanford.edu (svelazq[at]stanford[dot]edu).