2026 Request for Proposals
The Cannabis Research Center (CRC) invites applications for graduate student summer research grant proposals on cannabis. the impact of changes in state and federal policies on the cannabis industry and consumption; healthcare provider practices and scope; trends in the use of “novel” minor cannabinoids (e.g., CBG, CBC, CBN, etc.); mechanisms of how cannabinoids affect the body (in humans and model organisms); contributors of cannabis and cannabinoid use; short- and long-term effects of cannabis and cannabinoid use; outcomes of use; issues regarding youth access and societal impact; advertising and sales; and other critical issues facing Washington State and its residents related to cannabis.
The CRC summer research grant program provides funding to graduate students conducting cannabis research at WSU in summer 2026. Priority will be given to proposals that promote high-quality cannabis research, offer unique research and training opportunities for graduate students, and will result in publication, presentations, and/or outreach.
Given the research activities must occur in the summer, the lead faculty PI must have already obtained IRB/IACUC approval at the time of submission. Researchers handling, administering, analyzing, and/or storing cannabis (or cannabis constituents) must have a valid Schedule 1 license at the time of approval. Researchers administering cannabis (or cannabis constituents) to humans must have an IND from the FDA (if required) at the time of submission.
Timeline
| February 1 | Request for proposals issued |
| April 1 | Proposals due to CRC |
| May 15 | Anticipated announcement of award |
| June 1 | Distribution of funds |
| August 15 | Final report due |
Eligibility
Current WSU graduate students in good standing who are mentored by a WSU faculty member. Students must be physically present on a WSU campus during the summer funding period to be eligible and must be planning to continue in their studies at WSU in the fall of 2026.
Amount
$6,000 distributed as one-time direct research scholarship funds in June 2026. Funds are intended to provide support for the graduate student to engage in cannabis-related research in the summer of 2026.
General Instructions
The application must include a brief (2‐page limit) and clear description of:
- The goals and objectives of the project, including a description of how the project will advance research on cannabis.
- A clear description of the research project (e.g., research methods and proposed analyses).
- A description of activities to be completed during the funding period (e.g., collecting data, analyzing data, special training opportunities, project development).
- How the project uniquely advances the applicant’s academic and/or professional development and how the results of the activities will be shared (e.g., publication, conference presentation, thesis/dissertation).
- The timeline for activities that will be performed in the summer (Note: it is not expected for the entire research project to be completed in the summer).
Required Formatting
- 11-point font
- 0.5-inch margins
- Single spaced
- 2 pages max (excluding 1-4 below).
The application must also include the following supplemental materials:
- A reference section.
- IRB/IACUC approval number, Schedule 1 DEA license number (if required), FDA IND number (if required)
- A CV that should include (but is not limited to) a list of publications (including those in preparation [data collection complete], submitted, under revision, in press, and published), conference presentations, other professional research presentations, and a list of grants awarded as well as grants attempted. Please also include any research supervision and undergraduate student training activities if applicable.
- Evidence of ethics approval (IRB or IACUC).
- A letter of support from the mentor/research supervisor confirming student involvement over the summer and confirming the source of financial support for the research activities.
Submission
Submit all materials as a single PDF document. Use the online portal located on this website to submit.
Evaluation
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Background/significance: Does the project address an important problem in the field of cannabis, fill significant gaps in the cannabis literature, and will the findings enhance scientific knowledge, clinical practice, or wellbeing?
- Research questions/aims: Are the research questions/aims and hypotheses clear and logical?
- Approach: Are the research methods and planned statistical analyses sound, well-reasoned, and appropriate? Will they allow the investigator to answer their research questions?
- Feasibility: Do the investigators have appropriate approvals? Is it feasible to perform the planned activities in the summer? (Note: it is not expected for the entire project to be completed in the summer).
- Anticipated outcome: Is the project likely to produce significant scholarly results, leading to a publication, grant application, thesis or dissertation? Will the research project advance the applicant’s academic career and/or professional development?
Review Process
External reviewers (non-WSU members) will review proposals. The CRC co-directors and CRC Internal Scientific Advisory Committee will make final funding decisions based on those reviews.
Acknowledgement
All oral and poster presentations supported through this travel award program must include the following information: “This work was supported by a travel grant awarded through Washington State University’s Cannabis Research Center.”
Reporting Requirements
All recipients of CRC grant funds are expected to submit a final project report at the conclusion of the award period to document their activities and outputs resulting from the award.
Contact
Email questions to: wsu.crc@wsu.edu.