October 16, 2025
Applications for Thrasher, REACH funds to open Dec. 1
Faculty should remind undergraduate students of two scholarship programs coming up for renewal in December. The Susan C. Thrasher Undergraduate Research Fund and the Research-Enriched Academic Challenge (REACH) programs both offer financial support and research opportunities.
Students receiving awards through the Thrasher fund will work with a faculty mentor on a research project during 2026-27 academic year. At the end of the research experience, students will submit a report to their mentor and present a poster detailing their research or creative activity project during the spring 2027 Creative Activities and Research Presentations (CARP). When the activities are completed, $1,500 will be credited as a cash award to the student’s account.
Open to full-time undergraduate students for the 2026-27 academic year, REACH students work with faculty members on research projects and can be paid 10 hours per week. Awardees may also qualify for up to $2,000 to support expenses associated with original creative activity or research projects. Successful team applications can receive $500 per additional team member on top of the up to $2,000 REACH award.
REACH recipients will be required to present a poster detailing their research or creative activity projects at CARP.
Applications will be available Monday, Dec. 1, until 11:59 p.m. Jan. 26. For more information, visit the webpages for the Thrasher fund and REACH, or contact the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research at 618-453-5289 or ovcr@siu.edu.