Student Success

Racial Justice Initiative Undergraduate Research Fellows

What is the Racial Justice Initiative Undergraduate Research Fellows program?

The Institute on Black Life's Racial Justice Initiative (RJI) is committed to student success. RJI recognizes that there are often few opportunities for undergraduate students to access funding for independent projects and has established the Racial Justice Initiative Undergraduate Research Fellows (RJI-URF) program as a resource.

Funding will not be distributed directly to students, but students may request one-time funding for research related travel, costs associated with traveling to a conference to present research, or supplies needed for research (e.g., computer software unavailable through USF IT, small hardware that will be owned by IBL but loaned to students, etc.). Travel requests purchase requests will be handled by IBL staff and are subject to university approval.

We encourage students to connect with the Institute through the Undergraduate Research Fellows program. 

RJI Undergraduate Research Fellow must:

1. Current undergraduate student enrolled at USF
2. Good academic standing
3. Identify a faculty mentor related to their project
4. Attend at least one IBL event per semester, not including the annual IBL conference
5. Present some aspect of their funded research at the 2026 Annual IBL Conference
6. Complete one student spotlight interview to be shared on IBL's social media.