Skip to Content

Search: {{$root.lsaSearchQuery.q}}, Page {{$root.page}}

Funding and Awards Opportunities

Academic/Merit Awards

Weinberg Institute for Cognitive Science Service Award  

Beginning in Winter Semester 2021, we are instituting an annual award to recognize a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional service to the Weinberg Institute and our Cognitive Science community. We will accept nominations from students, staff, and faculty. Students may also self-nominate. Students eligible for a service award may demonstrate service in one or more of the following ways:

  • A student who has actively supported their fellow peers in their academic and professional pursuits through activities such as tutoring, connecting students to on-campus CogSci resources/events, etc.

  • A student who has shown significant engagement with academic events and organizations pertaining to CogSci and its contributing units (e.g, a student who has been extensively involved with Pre-Speech/Hearing Club or CogSci Community)

  • A student who has actively and positively represented the Weinberg Institute and CogSci major across campus, including assisting in outreach efforts. 

  • A student who has demonstrated service via exceptional global engagement (e.g. a student who has taken part in a study abroad program, documented their engagement with cognitive science topics while abroad, and presented their experiences abroad to fellow CogSci students upon return)

  • A student who has contributed greatly to DEI initiatives in the Weinberg Institutes and/or its contributing units/departments and/or has gone above and beyond to foster an inclusive environment for members of the UM cognitive science community

Recipients will receive a $500 award as well as a certificate.

Please submit your application by clicking on the button below:

Scholarships and Funding

1) Research, Conference Travel, and Professional Development Funding

The Weinberg Institute allocates funding each academic year to support undergraduate cognitive science majors in their research, academic, and professional initiatives. Limited funding is available for printing posters, conference travel and registration, faculty/student research collaboration, and colloquium or mini conference coordination.

In order to ensure equitable funding opportunities for students, the Weinberg Institute observes the following per student/per academic year caps on funding requests. Please note funding is available on a limited basis.

Weinberg Institute Research Award

  • Students may request up to $1,000 per academic year for non-travel research-related projects

Weinberg Institute Conference Travel Award

  • Students may request up to $750 per academic year for conference travel/registration

Weinberg Institute Professional Development Award

  • Students may request up to $500 per academic year for professional development

Students may request funding for research-related projects, conference travel/registration, and professional development in one academic year - making it possible for a student to receive up to $1,500 in Weinberg funding per academic year

The cap for students presenting their research at a conference will be decided on a case-by-case basis, but will not exceed $1750.

2) Weinberg Cognitive Science Study Abroad Award

Because Study Abroad is such an enriching and valuable experience, we are introducing the Weinberg Cognitive Science Study Abroad Award! Students may apply to potentially receive up to $1000 as needed (and as the budget allows) for a one-time flight reimbursement for a study abroad experience.  Funds can only be used for flight reimbursement.  To be eligible to apply, students must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Have a 3.0 grade point average or higher.

  • Be declared as a Cog Sci major;

  • Be participating in a credit-bearing international experience (including CGIS or self-organized study abroad) and;

  • Be taking at least one course for Cog Sci credit as part of their study abroad program.

Application Procedure

  • Submit an application through InfoReady, answering all questions and including the following information:

    • Proof of acceptance to Study Abroad program

    • A 1-3 paragraph statement on how your study abroad plans relate to your Cog Sci studies

    • Unofficial transcripts

    • Indication of your willingness to share your study abroad experience with other students and/or other Cog Sci stakeholders such as donors

Scholarship Terms and Deadlines

  • This scholarship may ONLY be used for paying for round-trip, outbound and/or return flights for a CogSci study abroad experience, and is a one-time award.

    • Reimbursement is not available for any mode of transportation used after arriving at the destination/return airport (excludes trains, busses, rideshares, taxis, mileage, etc)

  • Students’ flights must meet U-M-approved travel criteria:

    • University policy limits airfare to coach/economy for most flights unless traveling internationally on a flight of eight or more hours, for which business class is allowable.

    • Air reservations should be booked at least 14 days in advance when possible              

               --  Travelers should select the lowest-price fare within the bounds of the most
                     logical schedule.

               --  Federal regulations require that US carriers be used for both foreign and domestic
                     travel unless one is not available.                            

               --  Students must register their travel with U-M in accordance with university policy.

Application Deadlines

Honors Thesis Awards 

  • Introducing the Robert J. Glushko Undergraduate Thesis Award for Outstanding Cognitive Science Research. This annual prize may be awarded to up to two (2) exemplary honors theses submitted by cognitive science majors in recognition of outstanding research performance in cognitive science. No application is required: all cognitive science majors who submit an honors thesis by April 1 are automatically considered for this award.
  • For the 2021-2022 academic year, we will also be considering honors theses for the Sam Epstein Award for Contributions to Theoretical Cognitive Science. Theses eligible for this award will demonstrate significant engagement with foundational, theoretical, or conceptual issues in cognitive science.