URSA funding
Paul H. McCarthy Award
Individual undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines at the University of Alaska are eligible and invited to apply for an award of $2,500 to support their research using the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives (APRCA) at the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library. One award is available annually.
Award at-a-glance:
- Award amount:
Up to $2,500 - Who can apply:
All student research using materials housed in the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives will be considered
Overview
The purpose of the award is to facilitate access to the unique physical collections held by the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives. Applications that highlight the need to access specific APRCA collections will be given preference. While travel to the UAF campus can be facilitated by the award, the necessity of travel will not be used as a criteria for selection. Students from all campuses taking a minimum of six credits are encouraged to apply.
Past Projects
Examples of Paul H. McCarthy Awards
Preference will be given to research that supports a larger project. In the past, research proposals for projects such as a journal article, thesis chapter, short film, research guide, or art project have been submitted. Other types of projects will also be considered. Although the award does not guarantee inclusion of the resulting project in our library collections, the outcome should support the student's personal educational goals.
Award information
Details, eligibility and requirements
- Support of an individual graduate or undergraduate student involved in research
- All funds must be spent no later than June 30, 2026
- Any graduate or undergraduate degree-seeking student
- All disciplines from all UA campuses
- Must be registered for at least 6 credits in the Spring 2026 award term
- Proposals will be reviewed by a 5-member review committee
- All applicants will be notified by email and the recipient announced by December 1, 2025
- Project proposals are assessed on how well APRCA collections (including film, oral history, rare books, maps, photos and manuscripts) can support the research topic, and how well the research supports the larger educational goals of the student
- Awardees are required to undertake their research and give a 20 to 30 minute public presentation online or in-person