NIRSA Research Grant Program
Let NIRSA help you conduct important research
Grant proposals are now being accepted.
The deadline to submit a proposal is Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Research grants support original, scholarly research that advance the knowledge base and practices within the field of collegiate recreation.
Proposals for NIRSA’s grant program are accepted between June and July, and are awarded in October. Grant award amounts, up to $32,000 per year in total, are based on the needs of individual projects.
Eligibility & Procedures
Grant Eligibility
Applicants are not required to be individual NIRSA members, however all research must be conducted at or for a NIRSA member institution. Applications from students must be supported by faculty sponsors who have agreed to oversee the proposed research. Research proposals should relate and contribute to the advancement and practice in the field of campus recreation. Proposals should focus on the priorities identified in the NIRSA Strategic Framework.
Application Procedures
Proposals must include the following with a maximum page limit of 10 pages, single spaced (see suggested page lengths for each section below), and should be emailed to nirsa.research@nirsa.org.
- Cover page: Include the study title and name, address, phone number, email, and institution of the principal investigator (PI). If the PI is a student, include the same information for the sponsor.
- Introduction and Problem Statement [up to 1 page]
- Research Questions, Objectives, and Hypotheses [up to 1 page]
- Connection to NIRSA Research Agenda/Strategic Plan [up to 1 page]
- Literature Review [up to 2 pages]
- Methods [up to 2 pages]: i) Participants; ii) Apparatus/Materials; iii) Procedure
Please note if the survey methods will involve a request to use NIRSA member data, these policies must be followed. - Timeline [up to 1 page]
- Research Team Qualifications [up to 1 page]: For each team member include a brief bio. The roles, responsibilities, and contributions of each team member should be included.
- Budget [up to 1 page]: Use the worksheet linked below to prepare an itemized budget that includes a rationale for each expense. Funding is allowed for the following: direct costs of conducting the research, including purchase of instrumentation, transcription, travel to conduct the research, participation incentives, and funding for faculty and student pay (funding for faculty and student pay should not exceed one third of the total budget and not include the costs of tuition or student fees).
Proposal Review Process
- All materials must be submitted electronically to nirsa.research@nirsa.org. To be considered for selection, proposals must be received by the submission deadline.
- Applicants will receive a confirmation email for their submission. Complete and eligible applications will be forwarded to the Recreational Sports Journal Editorial Board for further review.
- The committee will review the proposals and will forward their recommendations to the NIRSA Executive Director, who will select the final grant recipients.
- Grant awards are announced at the completion of the review process. All applicants will be notified.
Funding Process
Upon being awarded, the researcher must return a signed letter of acceptance and include payment information. 70% of the grant will be awarded upon acceptance. In order to receive the remaining 30%, the following must be fulfilled by the researcher:
- A final budget
- The final payment will be adjusted based on the actual funds used for the project. Any unused funds previously received by the researcher must be returned.
- A manuscript submission to the Recreational Sports Journal
- A presentation proposal for a NIRSA-sponsored session, either in-person or virtual. Examples include a webinar or other online learning, the NIRSA Annual Conference, etc.
- An executive summary that NIRSA can share with its members.
All research must be completed within 2 years of award date unless an alternate timeline is arranged between the researcher and NIRSA.
Past Recipients
Melissa Bopp
Pennsylvania State University
Project: Evaluation of the impact of campus outdoor recreation and education programs on the mental health of college students
Scott Dankel
Rowan University
Project: SMH, I want to exercise but lack the knowledge and confidence: Turning Shaking my Head into Show Me How!
David Kerschner
University of Maine
Project: Building Healthy Teams: Leadership Development for Hazing Prevention and Club Sport Athlete Well-Being
Stephanie Walden-Schwake
University of Southern Indiana
Project: Campus Recreation Student Employment and Sense of Belonging
Kayla Abrahamson
West Virginia University
Project: An Inquiry into the Accessibility of Campus Recreation for College Students with Mobility and Visual Disabilities
Josephine M. Godwyll
University of Alberta
Project: Iced Out: Investigating the structural constraints in ice sports participation as perceived by vulnerable student populations.
Leeann Lower-Hoppe
The Ohio State University
Project: Generating Positive Workplace Outcomes Through Well-Being: Examining Collegiate Recreation Employees
Cara Lucia
Elon University
Project: Exhibiting Gender Allyship for RecHers
Taylor Roby Perez
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Project: Queer Women Leadership Within Collegiate Recreation
Jacob Tingle
Trinity University
Project: NIRSA Student Referees: Exploring the Connection between Sense of Community and Positive Health and Wellbeing Outcomes
Catherine Dorwart
North Carolina Central University
Project: A place for me? An exploration of Black students’ perceptions and preferences for nature-based outdoor recreation spaces at an HBCU
Luciana Zuest
Towson University
Project: Weight Inclusive Thinking for Fitness Spaces (WIT FITS): A Weight Stigma Intervention for Exercise Professionals
Lindsey Oakes
Temple University
Project: Exploring Inclusion of College Students with IDD within Campus Recreation at the Organizational Level
Haozhou Pu
University of Dayton
Project: More than a game: Investigating lifestyle and gaming behaviors, social connectedness, and mental wellbeing of collegiate recreational esports participants
Ryan Bradshaw
Simmons University
Project: Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on club sport participation in the United States
Eric Knee
Adelphi University
Project: Assessing the state of risk management policies and procedures at NIRSA-member institutions: A scoping study
A’Naja Newsome
University of Central Florida
Project: Development and Validation of the Collegiate Recreation Constraints and Negotiations Scale
Samantha Powers, Oliver Wilson
Pennsylvania State University
Project: Physical activity for all: Working towards equitable physical activity opportunities for college students
Dr. Jennifer A Pecoraro
University of West Georgia
Project: Cultivating LGBTQ+ Inclusion in College Recreation Programs and Services (CRS): The Effectiveness of a LGBTQ+ Advocate Training Program (ATP)
Caroline Voyles
Drexel University
Project: Investigating Sexual Minorities’ Navigation of Participation and Disclosure Decisions in Athletic Spaces
Dr. Jessica Kirby
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Project: Mountain lions on the move: Exploring basic psychological need satisfaction, motivational factors, and student wellbeing in the Fitness Buddies campus recreation physical activity program.
Dr. Kim Curtin
University of Alberta
Project: PAWS for Wellness: Examining a Physical Activity and Wellness Series for international student mental and physical wellness.
Gabriella Sciacchitano
Kennesaw State University
Project: An examination of the impact of integrating physical activity for students being treated for eating disorders/disordered eating behaviors.
Dr. Austin Anderson
University of Southern Indiana
Project: “Impact of LGBTQ Diversity Training on Attitudes and Competencies of Collegiate Recreation Employees”
Dianna Clauss
Rider University
Project: “The impact of a comprehensive student health and wellbeing program on the retention rate of residential first year students.”
Dr. Laura Morris
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Project: “Multi-institutional assessment of the relationship between campus recreation participation and psychological wellbeing.”
Erin Patchett
University of Northern Colorado
Project: “Campus recreation professionals’ engagement with social justice.”
Dr. Deborah Shapiro
Georgia State University
Project: “A Multi‐Institutional Comparison of Barriers and Facilitators of Campus Adapted and Inclusive Intramural Sports Programming for College Students with and without Disabilities”
Yvette Kell
University of Missouri – St. Louis
Project: “An Exploration of Emotionally Intelligent Leadership in Collegiate Recreation Student Employees and their own perceptions of their Emotional Intelligence and Emotionally Intelligent Leadership”
Dr. Benjamin P. Correia-Harker
Interfaith Youth Core
Project: “Campus Recreation and Leadership Development: Pathways for Student and Community Transformation.”
Dr. Leann Lower
Ball State University
Project: “The Collegiate Sport Club Model: Organization Structure, Management, and Outcomes”
Dr. Anthony Patterson
North Carolina Central University
Project: “The Value of Outdoor Recreation Programs for Students at an Historically Black University: An Exploration of Outdoor Recreation Experiences and Barriers to Participation.”
Dr. Amy Rundio
East Carolina University
Project: “Collegiate Sport Club Participation: Constraints, Motivations, and Student Outcomes”
Dr. James M. Pivarnik
Michigan State University
Project: “The Role of Recreational Sports in Student Academic Success and Overall Wellbeing.”
Dr. Keith Howard
North Carolina State University
Project: “Race, Identity, and Belonging: Examining College Students’ Preferences for Sport and Active Recreation.”
Dr. James Pivarnik
Michigan State University
Project: “Interrelationships Among College Student Physical Activity, Club and Intramural Sports Participation, and Academic Performance.”
Dr. Jacob Tingle
Trinity University
Project: “Exploring NIRSA Championship Series Professional Development Opportunities: Understanding Their Perceived Value to the Association.”
Dr. Scott Forrester
Brock University
Project: “Benefits of Campus Recreational Sports Participation: NASPA-NIRSA Consortium.”
Recipient of the President’s Award for the Article of Distinction
Dr. John Dugan
Loyola University Chicago
Project: “Recreation Sports and Leadership: Examining Influences to Enhance Educational Impact.”
Dr. Jacqueline McDowell
University of Illinois at Urbana
Project: “Toward the Development of National Intramural and Club Sport Gender Equity Guidelines.”
Recipient of the President’s Award for the Article of Distinction