The ORSP Update
April 2026
Our monthly newsletter highlights opportunities, awards, and events through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
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Topic List
Announcements
This day highlights student, faculty, and staff research from all academic disciplines across our campus community. Click here to see the event schedule for more information.
SRCA Award Winners
We are proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Student Research and Creative Activity (SRCA) Awards! These outstanding undergraduate and graduate students have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and scholarly excellence through original research and creative projects completed in collaboration with faculty mentors.
Undergraduate Research at the Capitol 2026
The Undergraduate Research at the Capital (URC-PA) poster conference took place on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026. This event has colleges and universities showcase undergraduate research to the Commonwealth's key decision-makers. Peace Joel (with faculty mentor Dr. Lauren Brumley) and Megan St Jean (with faculty mentor Dr. Meghan Ramick) represented WCU!
ORSP's Faculty Forum Podcast
Listen to our latest episode of The Faculty Forum podcast, part of ODLI on Air, featuring Drs. Melissa Reed and Heather Leaman regarding the IRB process. Listen here on Spotify!
Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn
Want to stay engaged with WCU’s research community, events, and opportunities? Click here and follow ORSP on Instagram! Connect with us on our LinkedIn page here!
Reminders
Research and Creative Activities Day (RCAD)
Please join us on April 16th 2026 in Sykes Student Union to celebrate research and creative activities across campus! This day highlights student, faculty, and staff research from all academic disciplines.
Faculty Research Spotlights
Dr. Juliet Wunsch
Professor Juliet Wunsch is a theatre artist whose work centers on storytelling and visual communication, exploring history and social impact through contemporary techniques. With support from a Provost Research Grant, she developed two exhibits at the Knauer Art Gallery this year. The first examined the origins and impact of New Sweden on the Delaware (1638–present), while the second explored the evolution of traditions through pageantry, using the Swedish Lucia tradition as a case study. Both exhibits incorporated theatrical storytelling and hands-on audience engagement to foster self-reflection and empowerment.
Want your research to be highlighted? Submit your research story here!
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Recently Awarded Grants
Dr. Helen Hammerschmidt, WCUF/Campus Philly 250, GRANT WCU Celebration of 250, $5,000
Dr. Helen Hammerschmidt, WCUF/Chester County Community Foundation, GRANT LetFreedomRing, $5,000
Dr. Merry Staulters, WCUF/Justamere Foundation, GRANT WCU Literacy Program for At-Risk Youth, $2,500
Dr. Sarah Lightner, WCUF/Justamere Foundation, GRANT WCU Literacy Family Nights Expansion, $55,200
Dr. Beth Foster, WCUF/The Foreseeable Future Foundation, GRANT Camp Abilities PA, $4,000
Dr. Elena Steinhaus, PA Dept of Education, 2025-206 It’s On Us, $55,969*
Dr. Jennifer Chandler, Sustainability Council/ORSP, From QR Codes to the Canopy: A Student-Led Initiative to Combat Plant Blindness through an Interactive GNA Arboretum Trail, $1,999.54
Dr. Zachary Wooten, Sustainability Council/ORSP, Between the Flood and the Flower: Student Poetry for a Warming World, $2,000
*In the process of being negotiated
Upcoming External Funding Opportunities
Arts & Humanities
9/16/2026: NEH Collaborative Research
Continuous Due Date: Creative Catalyst Grant Program
Business & Public Management
6/1/2026: Center for Rural PA Letter of Intent
7/29/2026: William T Grant Foundation Research Grants on Reducing Inequality
Continuous Due Date: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation - General Grant Program
Education & Social Work
9/15/2026: Brady Education Foundation Letter of Intent
Continuous Due Date: NSF STEM K-12 (STEM K-12)
Health Sciences
7/15/2026: Allen Foundation Grants Nutrition
3 Due Dates/Year: NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions
3 Due Dates/Year: NIH Advancement and Innovation in Measurement of Language Development and Predictors (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Science & Mathematics
7/22/2026: NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)
Rolling Due Date: The Simons Foundation Targeted Grants in Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS)
Continuous Due Date: NSF Ecosystem Science
Continuous Due Date: NSF-Lemelson Initiative on Environmental and Social Sustainability in Engineering Education
Continuous Due Date: NSF Education Programs in Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences
Upcoming Student Opportunities
Research & Creative Activity Day (RCAD)
Please join us on April 16th 2026 in Sykes Student Union to celebrate research and creative activities across campus! This day highlights student, faculty, and staff research from all academic disciplines.
Ram Research Directory
Are you interested in research but do not yet have a faculty mentor? Click here to use the RAM Research Directory to find one!
ORSP Roadmap
Click image below to learn how to navigate student research experiences.
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