The Office of Undergraduate Research is devoted to providing research opportunities for undergraduate students in every discipline, from the sciences to engineering to the arts and humanities.
The Office of Undergraduate Research provides and coordinates practical assistance and funding opportunities for undergraduate students, from all academic disciplines, to pursue research and scholarly projects. The Office of Undergraduate Research team helps pair students with mentors, assists undergraduate students in locating and applying for research funding opportunities, publishes the Caravel online undergraduate research journal and assists with Discover UofSC, the annual showcase of research and scholarly activities at UofSC. We encourage you to check out their website for more details.
But, the Office of Undergraduate Research might be best known for administering the Magellan Scholars program, which was established in 2005 to enrich the academic experience of USC's undergraduates with research opportunities in all disciplines, from science, technology and medicine to theater, music and art. The Magellan program comprises a number of funding opportunities to support undergraduate students' work with faculty, staff or community mentors on meritorious projects. Each component of the Magellan program is summarized in the list below; click on any list item to access complete details about it on the Office of Undergraduate Research website.
Undergraduate students seeking Magellan funding submit a competitive proposal for a research, scholarly or creative project, developed in collaboration with their faculty mentor. Proposal due dates are in mid-October and mid-February each year. Selection is based on the project's educational and intellectual merit, the potential impact of the project, and the student's previous academic success.
Magellan Mini-Grant is a funding program that provides reimbursement for qualifying travel costs, equipment and/or supplies for undergraduate students working on approved research, scholarly or creative projects in conjunction with a faculty, staff or community mentor. Undergraduate students may apply for a Magellan Mini-Grant (deadlines in October and February each year) in addition to other funding, including other Magellan funding.
The Magellan Voyager Travel Award provides up to $500 for travel expenses for USC undergraduates to share their research at regional, national and international meetings. (The research does not have to be sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research for a student to qualify.) Magellan Voyager is awarded on a rolling basis, but early application is encouraged, as funding is limited.
First- and second-year Capstone Scholars and Capstone Fellows can apply for Magellan Apprentice, a reimbursement program that provides up to $1,000 for salary, qualifying travel costs, equipment and/or supplies for Capstone Scholars working on approved research, scholarly or creative projects in conjunction with a faculty, staff or community mentor. Capstone Scholars may apply for Magellan Apprentice (deadlines in October and February each year) in addition to other funding, including other Magellan funding.
Preston residents can apply for Magellan Explorer, a reimbursement program that provides up to $500 for salary, qualifying travel costs, equipment and/or supplies for residents of the Preston residence hall working on approved research, scholarly or creative projects a faculty, staff or community mentor. Preston residents may apply for Magellan Explorer (rolling deadline) in addition to other funding, including other Magellan funding.
Opportunity Scholars and Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program participants can apply for funding through Magellan Guarantee, which offers ~10 awards each year, up to $1500 for student salary and up to $500 for the faculty mentor to purchase supplies, or pay for professional development. Qualifying Opportunity Scholars apply for the Magellan Guarantee in September, and Trio McNair Scholars apply in July, each year.