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View Funding RecipientsCenter for Families Funding Program
The Center for Families’ annual funding program supports the study of families from a cross-disciplinary, life course perspective. Faculty and students from all departments and colleges are encouraged to apply.
Read about the funding opportunities offered in 2025!
Annual process
- All available funding opportunities are announced in October each year.
- All applications are due the following February.
- All fellowships, awards, and scholarships are announced by April.
- An annual award breakfast is held in April.
- All recipients submit a report summarizing the work completed during the project period by March 1 of the following year.
The 2025 Funding Program is open and accepting submissions!
Submit applications by Feburary 3, 2025!Faculty Opportunities
Center for Families Faculty Fellowship ($10,000)
Each year, the Center for Families awards one faculty fellowship of up to $10,000 to support a faculty member who is engaged in research focused on family processes or policies, broadly defined.
As a way to celebrate the Center for Families 30th Anniversary and its keystone initiative, this year’s theme will focus on Family Meals, Nutrition, and Health. Faculty who choose to submit applications which incorporate this theme into their submission will receive preference in review.
CFF Faculty Fellows are a valued resource at the Center for Families. Read more about CFF Fellows.
How to Apply
All materials listed below must be combined into one file in PDF and submitted through the electronic CFF application process.
- Statement of Purpose no longer than 3 double-spaced pages in which you:
- Identify the goals of your proposed project
- Explain how this project aligns with the opportunity you are applying for and how it will advance the work of the Center for Families
- Provide a summary of your relevant experiences and qualifications for carrying out this project
- A Budget Justification or COEUS budget. CFF Fellowship funds should not be allocated to indirect costs
- Curriculum Vitae
Faculty may apply for more than one award, but can receive only one. Preference will be given to CFF faculty partners, faculty who have not previously received CFF funding, and/or proposals that will lead to external funding affiliated with the Center for Families.
Bob L. and Joyce Beery Miles Undergraduate Research Enhancement Grant ($500)
This grant is given to faculty to fund student training and involvement in research. Funds can be used for student travel for research or training opportunities, or to provide stipends for undergraduate members of research teams. Faculty members apply on behalf of students.
How to Apply
All materials listed below must be combined into one file in PDF and submitted through the electronic CFF application process.
- Statement of Purpose no longer than 3 double-spaced pages in which you:
- Identify the goals of your proposed project
- Explain how this project aligns with the opportunity you are applying for and how it will advance the work of the Center for Families
- Provide a summary of your relevant experiences and qualifications for carrying out this project
- A Budget Justification or COEUS budget. CFF Fellowship funds should not be allocated to indirect costs
- Curriculum Vitae
Faculty may apply for more than one award, but can receive only one. Preference will be given to CFF faculty partners, faculty who have not previously received CFF funding, and/or proposals that will lead to external funding affiliated with the Center for Families.
This grant is available thanks to the Bob L. and Joyce Beery Miles Research Endowment. After seeing the impact a small amount of support can have on the trajectory of a student, Bob and Joyce created the endowment, further committing their ongoing support of undergraduate research at Purdue.
Graduate Student Opportunities
Edward V. and Mary E. McAllister Fellowship (not offered every year)
Given every three to five years, the McAllister fellow will collaborate with their advisor on research related to the quality of life for children and families. The fellowship provides 12-months of stipend equaling that offered to half-time research assistants, plus funds to cover some additional fees. The McAllister carries no duties other than completion of the work described in student’s application. Applicants must have a master’s degree, have completed their PhD qualifying exam, and be a U.S. citizen.
How to Apply
All materials listed below must be combined into one file in PDF and submitted through the electronic CFF application process.
- Statement of Purpose no longer than 3 double-spaced pages in which you:
- Identify the goals of your proposed project
- Explain how this project aligns with the opportunity you are applying for and how it will advance the work of the Center for Families
- Provide a summary of your relevant experiences and qualifications for carrying out this project
- Budget Justification (Describe how you will use the CFF funding to support your project goals)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of support from the faculty member(s) who has agreed to supervise the project work (Interdisciplinary Research Grant applicants must provide at least two letters of support from faculty in two different departments)
Students may apply for more than one opportunity. Preference is given to those who have not been selected to receive other CFF funding, students who are advised by CFF faculty partners, and/or proposals that incorporate the annual research theme.
Studorschka Interdisciplinary Research Grant ($1000)
This grant is for students who have chosen a field of study that combines two or more academic disciplines with the study of the families. It allows them to engage in a program of scholarly activity of their own design, related to the focus of the grant. The work must be supervised by two faculty members in two different departments.
How to Apply
All materials listed below must be combined into one file in PDF and submitted through the electronic CFF application process.
- Statement of Purpose no longer than 3 double-spaced pages in which you:
- Identify the goals of your proposed project
- Explain how this project aligns with the opportunity you are applying for and how it will advance the work of the Center for Families
- Provide a summary of your relevant experiences and qualifications for carrying out this project
- Budget Justification (Describe how you will use the CFF funding to support your project goals)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of support from the faculty member(s) who has agreed to supervise the project work (Interdisciplinary Research Grant applicants must provide at least two letters of support from faculty in two different departments)
Students may apply for more than one opportunity. Preference is given to those who have not been selected to receive other CFF funding, and/or students who are advised by CFF faculty partners.
This grant is possible due to the generosity of Dr. Travis Dorsch and Dr. Breanna Studenka and the Studorshka Interdisciplinary Research Endowment. While completing his doctoral dissertation in Health and Kinesiology at Purdue, Travis spent hours learning about families, as he recognized that you can’t study individuals in isolation. He sought out support from the CFF Funding Program, which helped launch his career. He and Bree hope this interdisciplinary grant will help launch the career of others.
Dr. Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth Graduate Student Research Recognition ($1,000)
This grant will support students conducting research or thesis work that is directly impacting the community with a strong focus on work and family. It will allow graduate students to attend workshops or professional conferences. Recipients must be involved with the Center for Families, the Military Family Research Institute, or they must have a faculty advisor who is a Center for Families faculty partner.
How to Apply
All materials listed below must be combined into one file in PDF and submitted through the electronic CFF application process.
- Statement of Purpose no longer than 3 double-spaced pages in which you:
- Identify the goals of your proposed project
- Explain how this project aligns with the opportunity you are applying for and how it will advance the work of the Center for Families
- Provide a summary of your relevant experiences and qualifications for carrying out this project
- Budget Justification (Describe how you will use the CFF funding to support your project goals)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of support from the faculty member(s) who has agreed to supervise the project work (Interdisciplinary Research Grant applicants must provide at least two letters of support from faculty in two different departments)
Students may apply for more than one opportunity. Preference is given to those who have not been selected to receive other CFF funding, and/or students who are advised by CFF faculty partners.
This grant is available thanks to the Dr. Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth Graduate Student Research Recognition Fund, created in her honor as recognition of her leadership as the director of the Center for Families.
Catherine L. Justice Family Nutrition Grant ($1,000)
This grant is for students pursuing research on the quality of life for children and families, focusing on nutrition, and specifically diet or public policy. It allows them to engage in a program of scholarly activity of their own design, related to the focus of the grant. Student work must be supervised by a faculty member.
How to Apply
All materials listed below must be combined into one file in PDF and submitted through the electronic CFF application process.
- Statement of Purpose no longer than 3 double-spaced pages in which you:
- Identify the goals of your proposed project
- Explain how this project aligns with the opportunity you are applying for and how it will advance the work of the Center for Families
- Provide a summary of your relevant experiences and qualifications for carrying out this project
- Budget Justification (Describe how you will use the CFF funding to support your project goals)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of support from the faculty member(s) who has agreed to supervise the project work (Interdisciplinary Research Grant applicants must provide at least two letters of support from faculty in two different departments)
Students may apply for more than one opportunity. Preference is given to those who have not been selected to receive other CFF funding, and/or students who are advised by CFF faculty partners.
This grant is available thanks the Catherine L.Justice Trust. Catherine L. Justice, former Associate Professor in the Department of Food and Nutrition and Founder of the National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics, touched the lives of many dietitians in Indiana and throughout the U.S. as well.
Leo and Elva Levien Family Policy Internship ($1,000 + Graduate – 59000 Credit) (not offered every year)
This Internship is for students who have an interest in learning about the translations of research to policy. Along with this internship, recipients will receive the Levien Scholarship, which was created to support students committed to fostering family values and bettering families.
Interns assist with planning and conducting research for the Indiana Family Impact Seminar and the Family Impact Institute. The seminar, which takes place annually in November, educates state legislators about the implications of policy issues for families.
Students must be in at least their second year of study to apply. Interns must register for 3-4 credits, with a minimum of 2 credits to be taken in the fall.
How to Apply
All materials listed below must be combined into one file in PDF and submitted through the electronic CFF application process.
- Statement of Purpose no longer than 3 double-spaced pages in which you:
- Provide a summary of your relevant experiences and qualifications
- Explain how this internship will support your future professional goals
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of support from a faculty member(s) regarding students qualification
Students may apply for more than one opportunity. Preference is given to those who have not been selected to receive other CFF funding, and students who are advised by CFF faculty partners.
This scholarship is possible due to the generosity of Betty Levien Krejci, who created the endowment to honor her parents, Leo and Elva Levien and their belief in family. Betty is responsible for the establishment of the Indiana Family Impact Seminars at the Center for Families.
Research with Families Internship (Graduate and Undergraduate – 59000 & 39000 credit)
Undergraduate Opportunities
Bob L. and Joyce Beery Miles Research Enhancement Grant
For the Research Enhancement Grant, faculty members must apply on behalf of students following the instruction outlined under faculty opportunities. Contact your faculty advisor with award information.