Grants and Writing Resources for Roosevelt University

Roosevelt's week of student research got a new name for 2026. The Roosevelt University Symposium, formerly the Roosevelt Student Research & Inquiry Symposium, was set for April 6 to 10, with four days in Chicago and one on the Schaumburg campus. It's open to Roosevelt students in all disciplines and to recent alumni, and at Schaumburg the poster session gives awards for most innovative research, best visual design, outstanding data presentation, and best communication of ideas.

Research Funding and Mentoring

The McNair Scholars Program aims to support 25 undergraduates a year who are first-generation college students with financial need and who want to go on to research-based graduate degrees. Scholars do guided research with a mentor through a paid summer internship of at least $2800, and they can earn two tuition-free credits in UNIV 311, Introduction to Research & Scholarly Activity. The program also helps with graduate applications and with finding outside funding. One cohort traveled to Washington, D.C., to present research at a McNair National Conference.

Beyond McNair, the Office of Student Research keeps a list of research opportunities and funding, including research through the Honors Program and, for performing arts students, the Center for Arts Leadership.

Presenting Your Work

Most students present at the symposium through sessions run by their college, department, or program, though you can also register on your own. Formats include oral talks, posters, performances, and installations, live or streamed on Zoom. Chicago accepts work from every field. Schaumburg takes STEM, health and medicine, business, and psychology, with 20-minute talks followed by five minutes of questions. The 2024 edition also mixed in research workshops and networking fairs with graduate programs and employers.

Writing Help

Peer Tutors at the Learning Commons help with drafting and revising papers. In Chicago they work out of the RU Library on the 10th floor of the Auditorium Building, and in Schaumburg from Room 517. For late-night help, Tutor.com offers on-demand and scheduled online tutoring in writing.

Graduate students working in a disciplinary style guide can take their questions to the university library.

Finishing a Thesis or Dissertation

Roosevelt's Dissertation and Thesis Completion Guidelines cover the last steps. A completed transmittal form goes to the Registrar's Office, and the approved thesis, dissertation, or doctoral project is submitted electronically to the University Archives. Doctoral students also fill out the Survey of Earned Doctorates, and anyone whose research had IRB approval files an IRB termination form.

For a final edit before submission, our PhD-level editors work with Roosevelt students at every level. See our Roosevelt University dissertation and thesis editing and Roosevelt University essay editing pages, or write to editors@editorsforstudents.com.

From Our Writing Guides

• Treating the Personal Statement as a Scholarly Defense
• The Lecture as a High-Stakes Professional Presentation
• Navigating the IRB: Ethical Oversight as a Structural Requirement