NCAA Graduate Student Research Grant Program
Forecasted
NCAA Graduate Student Research Grant Program supports graduate students’ social and behavioral research on college athletics and student-athlete experiences to inform decisions at member institutions.
Funder: National Collegiate Athletic Association
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $7,500 per recipient; one-time, nonrenewable awards
Summary: Supports graduate student research on intercollegiate athletics in higher education and college student-athletes’ psychosocial experiences.
Key Information: Applicants must remain enrolled full time in a master’s or doctoral program at an eligible NCAA member institution during the award period.
Description
The NCAA Graduate Student Research Grant Program funds social and behavioral science research examining the role of intercollegiate athletics in higher education and the psychosocial experiences of college student-athletes. Administered by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, it supports rigorous research and peer review that expand the empirical knowledge base on college sports and inform decisions across NCAA member institutions.
The program supports work leading to a master’s thesis, doctoral dissertation or external publication in a scholarly journal. Recipients receive financial support and NCAA staff guidance to advance their research. The program emphasizes clearly defined research questions, sound methods and feasible projects with practical implications for member institutions, athletics administrators and student-athletes. Exercise science and physical health and safety projects are outside its scope.
