diff --git a/crc/services/study_service.py b/crc/services/study_service.py
index 1e33ff57..febd01b3 100755
--- a/crc/services/study_service.py
+++ b/crc/services/study_service.py
@@ -265,6 +265,7 @@ def update_study_associate(study_id=None, uid=None, role="", send_email=False, a
         if uid is None:
             raise ApiError('uid not specified', "This function requires a uva uid parameter")
 
+        uid = uid.lower()
         if not LdapService.user_exists(uid):
             raise ApiError('trying_to_grant_access_to_user_not_found_in_ldap', "You are trying to grant access to "
                                                                                "%s but they were not found in ldap "