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College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Mahua Biswas working on the Scanning Electron Microscope.

Discover, Innovate, and Create

Research in Focus

Photo of Dr. Anthony Joseph

CASNEWS faculty spotlight:  Dr. Anthony Joseph

Questions asked to Dr. Anthony Joseph from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders(CSD).

  

Photo of Nathan Stephens

Dr. Nathan Stephens to give African American Studies fall lecture

Dr. Nathan Stephens will deliver his talk, Learning from our Babas: Exploring the social work profession through the lens of Black men elders, as part of the African American Studies Fall Speaker Series. The lecture will be held on October 24, 2025, at 11 a.m. in 401 Stevenson Hall at Illinois State University. This event is free and open to the public, though registration is requested.

Photo of Associate Professor and Chair Meghan Leonard

Dr. Meghan Leonard receives best article award

At the annual American Political Science Association meeting, held September 11-14, Dr. Meghan Leonard received the John Kincaid Best Article Award for an article published in the journal Publius: The Journal of Federalism during the previous year.

Student Researcher Accomplishments

campus photo of trees and sidewalk

Fall 2025 FIREBird and BirdFEEDER Grant winners announced

Each semester, the Office of Student Research (OSR) at Illinois State University awards research grants to support undergraduate and graduate projects. These grants are part of ISU’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement.

Photo of Mustafizurrrahman Rahat on campus

Meet the October 2025 GradBird Scholar:  Mustafizurrrahman Rahat

The Graduate School has selected Mustafizurrrahman Rahat as its October 2025 GradBird Scholar recipient. GradBird Scholar is an initiative to recognize graduate students for their scholarly endeavors at Illinois State University.

Acrylic paint titles "Rag-e-Jaan"

Grad student's artwork explores creativity while dealing with lingering symptoms of long COVID

Since May, the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program has featured an assortment of abstract pieces in the Rachel Cooper Art Gallery from Saima Afreen, an artist and Ph.D. candidate in English at Illinois State University. The collection, titled Apricity, features acrylic paintings that combine traditional paint with expired cosmetic items.

Make your impact.

Get involved in research at Illinois State.

You can make major contributions and move society in a positive direction. CAS faculty, students, and staff team up with each other and work solo on projects they’re passionate about.

Supporting Your Research

You have important work to do. Here’s how we support your research efforts.

Student Travel Funds

CAS Student Travel Funds are internal awards intended to promote high-quality research, scholarship, and creative activity by undergraduate/graduate students of the College of Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University. This is intended to supplement travel funds provided by departments/schools or other organizations to help defray the costs of travel. Awards may be funded up to a maximum of $250 for travel to a professional conference or meeting to present the results of research or creative activity. A student may be funded once per academic year.  Undergraduate students who are presenting internationally or in non-contiguous U.S. states may be eligible for an additional $250 in funding.   

Selection Process and Criteria

The Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will make these awards. Applications from Undergraduate students with either a first or second major in the College as well as Graduate students in a College of Arts and Sciences graduate program will be considered. Students must be presenting, not just attending.

Proposal Process and Submission Deadlines

Travel is funded during the fiscal year (July 1- June 30) in which the travel takes place. Note: Applications may be submitted at any time but will be awarded based on the timing of the trip and availability of funds.

How to Apply

Applications may be submitted at any time but will be awarded based on the timing of the trip and availability of funds.

Apply Now

Check out the Travel Fund Instructions (ULID login required)

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding the CAS Student Travel Fund, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences at (309) 438-5669.

Resources For Faculty

Faculty and Staff in the CAS can access important resources by visiting the CAS Faculty/Staff Intranet