What is an URCA Associate?
An URCA Associate works with a full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty mentor to lead their own research project or creative activity. Associates will work continuously for both the fall and spring semesters to complete their approved URCA project. Associates submit a proposal in the spring, and upon acceptance into the Associate cohort, will complete their proposed research or creative activity in the following academic year. Ten students will be selected each year. Each URCA Associate may receive up to $2400 in awards, and the department will receive funding to purchase materials for the student's project. Among other responsibilities, Associates will be expected give presentations about URCA to undergraduate classes on campus, host URCA information tables at Preview Day, and attend monthly URCA Associate meetings.
Proposal Due Date: April 6, 2026
Responsibilities:
- Lead an independent project with the guidance of a faculty mentor
- Manage a project budget
- Attend mandatory monthly URCA Associate meetings
- Serve as an URCA ambassador 6 times during the academic year. An ambassador may present URCA presentations to undergraduate classes and student organizations and host informational tables at SIUE Preview Day and other events.
- Submit an Interim Report Summary (end of Fall semester)
- Submit a Final Report (mid to late Spring semester)
- Present the findings of their project at the Undergraduate Scholars Showcase
Benefits:
- Receive up to a $2,400 award for the academic year
- $500 for materials related to project
- $400 for conference travel to present research or creative activity
- Opportunity to work closely with faculty mentor
- Opportunity to develop scholarly relationships with other URCA Associates
- Develop leadership skills
- Opportunity to publish project results in professional journals
