Facilitating Departmental and Institutional Change for Expanding Undergraduate Research Experiences: The Effectiveness of a Microgrant

Increased sustainable access to undergraduate research opportunities, particularly for historically underrepresented populations, involves transforming departmental and institutional cultures, which is time-consuming and expensive. Competing university interests and tightening budgets necessitate finding effective and affordable ways to implement this transformation. The purpose of this study was to understand the benefits and limits of a microgrant as a feasible means of change. Overall, the findings suggested that microgrants can be effective catalysts for change in certain conditions, especially if internal resources are available to complement the funding and if the microgrant continues on a desired trajectory. This research will inform future initiatives that aim to expand access to undergraduate research experiences.