Honors Research
The honors thesis is a personalized, in-depth capstone that allows students to explore original research or creative work in their field. It’s an opportunity to build lasting faculty connections and gain experience that extends beyond the undergraduate years.
Plan to devote significant time to your thesis—take it step by step. It’s not just a research paper.
[My thesis] is pinnacle of what I’ve done. Even beyond my past publications, I am focused on the [quality of my] theory, experiments, everything. This is what I’m leaving behind.
—Ethan Batey, chemistry and physics
Honors Thesis Highlights
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Tailored to your major
May be research, creative writing, music, or even mathematical work. -
Requirements and deadlines vary
Contact your honors program director for specifics. -
Guided by a faculty mentor
All students working on an honors thesis will be guided by a faculty mentor. -
Culminates in a presentation
You will present your work to your mentor and in some cases, a committee of faculty members in related disciplines.
Research Grants
Strong research needs strong support. The Honors College offers competitive grants that not only help cover costs but also give you a strong credential to showcase your work.
Questions?
Contact Jennie Popp at jhpopp@uark.edu or
479-575-7381
—Charles Smith, exercise science, medical humanities
The Honors College Research Grant supports honors research projects across all disciplines.
How You Can Use the Grant
Students often use the grant to cover research-related expenses, such as:
- Research materials and lab supplies
- Technology or software
- Books and reference materials
- Compensation for study volunteers
- Travel expenses required by the research
Even if your project doesn’t have direct expenses, you can still apply! Many students use the grant as a personal stipend to support the time and effort spent on their research.
Why It Matters
- Adds credibility to your research
- Strengthens your resume
- Shows graduate or medical schools and future employers that your work is competitive, meaningful, and important.
The Research Travel Grant provides funding for honors students who need to take a trip for their research. You can apply for this competitively awarded grant to travel either domestically or internationally. Research trips could include visiting an archive or museum, collecting data or survey responses, interviewing research subjects, and much more. This grant is open to all majors.
How You Can Use the Grant
Students have used this grant to:
- Visit a mine in Arizona
- Collect the nests of tropical birds in Costa Rica
- Tour a birthing center in Nashville
- Research national monuments in Europe
Why It Matters
- Expands your research beyond campus
- Supports immersive, impactful experiences
- Adds depth and distinction to your honors thesis and resume
The Conference/Workshop Research Travel Grant helps cover the cost of traveling to present your research or participate in workshops and symposia.
How You Can Use the Grant
Students can request funding to:
- Present a paper, poster, or serve on a panel
- Give an official presentation at a conference, workshop, or symposium
- Participate in interactive workshops or symposia related to their research
Why It Matters
- Helps you share your work with a wider audience
- Builds your academic and professional network
- Strengthens your resume and graduate school applications
The Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) supports sophomores, juniors, and seniors in conducting in-depth research projects across all academic disciplines.
How You Can Use the Grant
Students can request funding to:
- Support a research or creative project in any field
- Collaborate closely with a faculty mentor
- Present research at academic conferences
Why It Matters
- Supports ambitious, self-directed research
- Builds strong faculty connections
- Prepares you for graduate school, professional work, or creative careers
Ways We Support Your Research
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Getting Started
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Finding A Mentor
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Developing a Topic
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Securing Funding
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Writing Support
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Personalized Advising
Faculty
Research Team Grant
The Honors College Team Research Grant supports faculty members who supervise research teams of two to four students (in one or across multiple disciplines) to oversee the completion of a multi-objective thesis/research project. A faculty member must mentor at least two students to qualify for this grant, but no more than four. A project can consist of no more than four funded students.
Questions?
Contact Jennie Popp at jhpopp@uark.edu or 479-575-7381.
Applications are accepted year-round. Proposals approved within four weeks of a semester start may begin that semester (if research compliance is met); otherwise, funding begins the following semester.
Faculty Equipment Technology Grant
The deadline to apply is September 26, 2025. Limit of one application from a lead applicant per deadline.
The Honors College offers competitive grants to help clinical, tenured, and tenure-track faculty purchase specialized equipment or technology that enhances honors instruction and undergraduate research.
Questions?
Contact Jennie Popp at jhpopp@uark.edu or 479-575-7381.
Key Highlights
- Timing & Purpose: Grants are awarded annually and are intended to make a transformational difference in honors student research.
- Eligibility: Clinical, tenured, and tenure-track faculty (individuals or teams). Lead applicants must be full-time faculty.
- Use of Funds: Equipment and technology that enhances student research — such as lab equipment, software, databases, and media.
- Award Amount: Up to $7,500 per project
- Not Funded: General office supplies, salaries, maintenance, or non-transformational items
Mentor Funding
We support your one-on-one work with honors students! If your student earns an Honors or SURF grant, you’ll receive mentor funds to support undergraduate research—covering equipment, materials, or travel to conferences and archives.