NIRSA Research Grant Program
Let NIRSA help you conduct important research
Research grants support original, scholarly research that advance the knowledge base and practices within the field of collegiate recreation.
Grant award amounts will be based on the needs of individual projects. It is NIRSA’s standard procedure to pay only the direct costs associated with conducting research and indirect costs up to 10%.
The NIRSA Foundation proudly supports the NIRSA Research Grant Program.
Eligibility & Procedures
Grant Eligibility
All funded research projects must be conducted either at or for NIRSA member institutions. Applications from students must be supported by faculty or staff sponsors who have agreed to oversee the proposed research. Applicants do not need to be NIRSA members. Collaborative, multi-institutional projects and those involving historically underrepresented groups will be given special consideration. Proposals should focus on the priorities identified in the NIRSA Research Agenda.
Application Procedures
Please refer to the Research Grant Application Guidelines prior to preparing a proposal. To apply for one of these prestigious grants, or for further information about the NIRSA Research Grant Program, please contact nirsa.research@nirsa.org.
Past Recipients
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.
Funded by: 
Dr. Kim Curtin
University of Alberta
Project: PAWS for Wellness: Examining a Physical Activity and Wellness Series for international student mental and physical wellness.
Funded by:
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.
Funded by:
Dr. Austin Anderson
University of Southern Indiana
Project: “Impact of LGBTQ Diversity Training on Attitudes and Competencies of Collegiate Recreation Employees”
Funded by:
Dianna Clauss
Rider University
Project: “The impact of a comprehensive student health and wellbeing program on the retention rate of residential first year students.”
Funded by:
Dr. Laura Morris
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Project: “Multi-institutional assessment of the relationship between campus recreation participation and psychological wellbeing.”
Funded by:
Erin Patchett
University of Northern Colorado
Project: “Campus recreation professionals’ engagement with social justice.”
Funded by:
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”
Funded by:
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”
Funded by:
Dr. Benjamin P. Correia-Harker
Interfaith Youth Core
Project: “Campus Recreation and Leadership Development: Pathways for Student and Community Transformation.”
Funded by:
Dr. Leann Lower
Ball State University
Project: “The Collegiate Sport Club Model: Organization Structure, Management, and Outcomes”
Funded by:
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.”
Funded by:
Dr. Amy Rundio
East Carolina University
Project: “Collegiate Sport Club Participation: Constraints, Motivations, and Student Outcomes”
Funded by:
Dr. James M. Pivarnik
Michigan State University
Project: “The Role of Recreational Sports in Student Academic Success and Overall Wellbeing.”
Funded by:
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.”
Funded by:
Dr. Jacob Tingle
Trinity University
Project: “Exploring NIRSA Championship Series Professional Development Opportunities: Understanding Their Perceived Value to the Association.”
Funded by:
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
Funded by:
Dr. John Dugan
Loyola University Chicago
Project: “Recreation Sports and Leadership: Examining Influences to Enhance Educational Impact.”
Funded by:
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