A limited number of SSI Student Research Grants will be awarded to graduate students who commit to conducting sports and society research with an SSI faculty affiliate for one year, beginning by at least early 2026. There will be two award offerings this year, to coincide with the start of each semester: one in September and one in February. The focus of these research grants will be to nurture research projects that go above and beyond any intended thesis or dissertation work. We seek to seed new project ideas and support new research contributors. Each grant will include $500 in funding, although more funding may be available. 

To apply to be a phase one 2026-27 SSI Student Research Grant awardee, please email the following to Miroslava Marshall (marshall.624@osu.edu) by September 14, 2025:

1. Your CV (with graduate student status and department affiliation listed)
2. A brief summary (i.e. 1-2 paragraphs) of your research experience and interest in conducting research on a sports and society issue(s).
3. A preferred SSI faculty affiliate (if any) with whom you would like to work.
4. An abstract (i.e. 200 words or less) of the project in mind if you have a project in the development stage already.

College of Arts and Sciences graduate students are especially encouraged to apply. Students looking for suitable data and/or project ideas may consider contacting SSI Research Chair Prof. Chris Knoester (knoester.1@osu.edu) and using the National Sports and Society Survey, a survey project that was funded by the College of Arts and Sciences, through the SSI.

Ohio State’s Sports & Society Initiative promotes high-quality research related to issues of societal concern in sports at all levels through research grants, undergraduate and graduate training and internships, the sponsorship of conferences and interaction with policy makers in sports and related industries. Visit us at sportsandsociety.osu.edu.