Graduate students enrolled in SIB departments or SIB-sponsored graduate programs are eligible to apply for several grants or awards to support their research or to advance their professional development. Click on the name of the grant or award below to obtain more information about eligibility and application procedures.
In addition, the Graduate College has a web page on which financial aid to graduate students is discussed, including assistance with travel.
Please be sure to read the information for each award carefully, as some require additional information or have specific deadlines. If your award requires a letter of support from your advisor, please send your advisor this link SIB Awards - Letter of Reference Form (illinois.edu)
Find your awards
SIB Graduate Student Awards
Ready to fund your next research adventure? Explore the SIB Graduate Student Awards for your chance to secure summer fellowships, research grants, and travel support so you can focus on science, not financial stress.
Departmental Awards - Entomology
Advance your entomology research with dedicated summer funding and student support — click here to explore and apply for the Department of Entomology’s graduate awards.
Departmental Awards - Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior
Fuel your research in evolution, ecology, and behavior, click here to explore and apply for exclusive departmental awards that support your summer work and scientific growth.
Departmental Awards - Plant Biology
Grow your plant biology research with targeted funding — apply for departmental awards that help bring your ideas from the lab or field to life.
Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (PEEC) Awards
Support your research in PEEC by clicking here to apply for awards that provide funding and support for your summer projects.
Illinois Natural History Survey Awards
Discover new opportunities for field research and scientific exploration — click here to apply for Illinois Natural History Survey awards and bring your research to life.
Mentoring Award
The Sharon Gray Memorial Award
The objective of the Sharon Gray Memorial Award is to support a post-doctoral researcher or graduate student and their undergraduate mentee. All postdoctoral fellows and graduate students supervised by faculty whose home unit is in the School of Integrative Biology are eligible to be nominated.
This fund was set up by Cody Markelz in honor of his wife, Sharon Gray, who was killed in an accident in Ethiopia in 2016. Sharon received her PhD in Plant Biology in 2013. In addition to her outstanding science, she was an exceptional teacher and mentor for undergraduates.
The objective of the Sharon Gray Memorial Award is to support a post-doctoral researcher or graduate student and their undergraduate mentee.
Eligibility:
All postdoctoral fellows and graduate students supervised by faculty whose home unit is in the School of Integrative Biology are eligible to be nominated.
Application:
To apply, please submit one copy of each of the following:
- The nomination letter, written by the faculty member, should identify the postdoc or graduate student mentor and undergraduate student mentee(s) and clearly describe the mentoring relationship and the science it has produced or is expected to produce following the completion of the project. Additional information regarding the postdoc or grad student’s record of mentoring and teaching should also be included.
- A CV for both the mentor and mentee(s).
Nominators may submit their materials to the form at go.illinois.edu/SIBAwardReference by February 5th, midnight. Questions may be directed to sibawards@life.illinois.edu.
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SIB Award Winners 2025
Want a quick peek at what makes the School of Integrative Biology so special? Check out our 2025 awards video that's full of stories of hard-earned success, bright futures, and the community that makes SIB thrive. Whether you’re a prospective student wondering what’s possible or a current student looking for inspiration, this video captures the spirit and achievements our students are proud to call theirs.