Student Resources

An integral part of the function of the Central States Chapter is getting students involved in their primary professional organization.

Central States Chapter Student Research Grant Requirements

CSACSM offers two research grants per year at the undergraduate, masters, and PhD level (six grants total). 

Award Amounts:

Undergraduate: up to $500
Masters: up to $1,000
PhD: up to $1,500

  • The applicant is a current student (undergraduate, masters, or doctoral) at a university in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, or Oklahoma during the proposed time of data collection.
  • The student is majoring in an ACSM related field (e.g., clinical/applied or basic exercise science or sports medicine)
  • The student is a current CSACSM member (as of time of the grant submission)
  • The student’s mentor has been a CSACSM member for at least 1 year prior to the grant submission (mentors who have been a CSACSM member <1 year and relocated to the region within the past 12 months ARE eligible).
  • The student can attend and present their research progress at the 2026 CSACSM Regional Meeting held in Tulsa, OK in early Late February/March 2026.
  • Two letters of recommendation (one being from the applicant’s mentor) evaluating the applicant’s potential to develop as a researcher/scholar.
  • A one-page abstract with the specific subheadings OVERVIEW, PURPOSE, METHODS, ANALYSIS detailing the project.
  • A grant proposal with the specific subheadings: OVERVIEW, INNOVATION, SPECIFIC AIMS, APPROACH, SIGNIFICANCE.This section should not exceed 5 pages
  • Both the abstract and grant proposal must be written using Microsoft Word and follow these formatting guidelines: Times New Roman 12-point font, 1-inch margins, single spaced
  • A detailed budget for the project and an explanation what the grant will cover from the overall budget (if the budget exceeds the grant).
  • References for the grant proposal.

Proposal submissions are DUE JULY 1, 2025. No exceptions, with late submissions not considered for funding. Submit each required application materials component using the following REDCap Submission Portal: https://redcap.link/csacsm_srg

Application requirements for 2026 can be downloaded here: 2026_CSACSM_Student_Research_Grant_Information_050725

2025 Central States Chapter Student Award Recipients

Undergraduate Reseach Grant Winners

Hali D. Anderson | Oklahoma State University
Mentor: Bree Baker

Angela Davis | Oklahoma State University
Mentor: Bree Baker

Master’s Research Grant Winners

Sarah Davis | Oklahoma State University
Mentors: Bree Baker

Amanda Ehrlich | Oklahoma State University
Mentor: Doug Smith

Doctoral Research Grant Winners

Petra Kis | Oklahoma State University
Mentor: Shane Hammer

Jacob E. Matney | The University of Oklahoma
Mentor: Mikhail Kellawan

Undergraduate Outstanding  Award  
Sadie Thompson| University of Arkansas

Mentor: Megan Rosa-Caldwell

Master’s Outstanding Award

Emma Rice | Oklahoma State University
Mentors: Taylor Dinyer-McNeely

Doctoral Outstanding Award

Meghan Lemons | University of Kansas Medical Center
Mentor: Bryan Vopat

2025 CSACSM Award Winners

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Student Podcast

Student Podcast Episode 1 

Conversation with Aaron Caldwell, University of Arkansas PhD candidate

Student Podcast Episode 2

Conversation with Dr. Nicholas Greene, Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas

Student Podcast Episode 3

Conversation with Dr. Tim Lightfoot, Omar Smith Endowed Professor of Kinesiology and Director of the Huffines Institute, Texas A&M University

Student Podcast Episode 4

Conversation with PhD student Whitley Atkins about working in a tech start up firm