Undergraduate research support
The Department of Classics and Religious Studies is a hub for undergraduate research in the humanities, which is supported in multiple ways. The department offers a research-assistant course (RELS 4940) in which undergraduate students can work closely with a faculty member to gain valuable research experience. Majors and minors are also awarded $750 for research supervised by a faculty member. Majors and minors who present a poster at the UI Undergraduate Research Festival are awarded a $400 stipend. Additionally, over $4,000 in student prizes is given each year and recognized at the Adler Awards ceremony.
Adler awards
The Adler Awards Luncheon is held each year in spring. The Adler Luncheon honors the memory of E.P. Adler, one of the department's founders. The annual event was established and endowed through the generosity of the late Philip and Henrietta Adler, with ongoing support provided by the family of Lloyd and Betty Schermer.
Recent awardees
Spring 2025
- Tehya Chandler – Michelene Pesantubbee Religion and Social Justice Scholarship
- Emily Waddle – E.P. Adler Undergraduate Award
- Megan Andress – John P. Boyle Award in Catholic Studies
- Molly Lihs – Helen Goldstein Undergraduate Research Paper/Project Award
- Briana Bohling-Hall – Karl Hoffman Award
- Elizabeth Von Loh – Barbara W. And Rex Montgomery Award
- Ella Huber – Sonia Sands Scholarship Award
- Calliope Coppola – Sonia Sands Scholarship Award
- Arsh Manazir – Sonia Sands Scholarship Award
- Ferren Dickey – Charles Schoen Interfaith Scholarship Award
Spring 2024
- Brianna Bohling-Hall – Michelene Pesantubbee Religion and Social Justice Scholarship
- Sophia Gardner – E.P. Adler Undergraduate Award
- Jessica Lelm – John P. Boyle Award in Catholic Studies
- Julia Anderson – Helen Goldstein Undergraduate Research Paper/Project Award
- Sawyer Sand – Karl Hoffman Award
- Jeimy Panduro Orellana – Barbara W. and Rex Montgomery Award
- Brynn Bowers – Sonia Sands Scholarship Award
- Olivia Schuelka – Charles Schoen Interfaith Scholarship Award
Spring 2023
- Alice Doherty - Helen Goldstein Undergraduate Research Paper Award
- Sophie Gray - Charles Shoen Interfaith Scholarship
- Jacob Martin - Sonia Sands Award
- Sara Mozena - Barbara W. and Rex Montgomery Award
- Lauren Philips - Islamic Studies Award
- Evren Sasmazer - Karl Hoffman Award
- Sami Simon - E.P. Adler Award
2026 Fall Undergraduate Research Festival (FURF)
Religious Studies Majors & Minors, present your research at the festival and receive a $400 research award.
Email religion@uiowa.edu for information.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences scholarships
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences also awards scholarships to students continuing coursework in a major within the college. Some scholarships are open to all liberal arts and sciences students and others are for select liberal arts and sciences majors.