Academic Innovation and Effectiveness U NDERGRADUATE R ESEARCH AND C REATIVE A CTIVITIES P ROGRAM

W HAT IS THE U NDERGRADUATE R ESEARCH AND C REATIVE A CTIVITIES P ROGRAM ?  The URCA Program at SIU e is a program that allows students to engage in a research project or creative endeavor under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

P URPOSE OF THE URCA P ROGRAM  Encourage  Recognize  Support Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

H ISTORY OF THE URCA P ROGRAM  Began as the Undergraduate Research Academy at SIUE in 1990; original Academy had 33 Scholars  Total of 381 students have completed the program since then  Projects from 41 different majors and specialties  200 faculty have served as mentors

P ARTICIPATION O PTIONS  URCA Assistant  Works on faculty led research or creative activity for approximately 8-10 hours each week  Gains introductory experience in a specific field  Minimum commitment of one semester  URCA Associate  Leads an independent project with guidance from a faculty mentor  Manages his/her own project budget  Project begins in the fall and ends in spring

URCA P ARTICIPANTS R ECEIVE :  URCA Assistants – Most receive:  $800 award per semester  URCA Associates – All receive:  $2000 award  $500 toward project expenses  $400 conference travel presentation

B ENEFITS FOR S TUDENTS  Opportunity to explore in-depth research or creative processes  Develop a close working relationship with faculty  Design and work on a project not available in courses

S TUDENTS P ARTICIPATE IN :  Innovative research or creative activities  Discipline-specific problem-solving  Networking with students in various disciplines  Grant-writing experiences  Professional presentations

URCA I MPACT : G RADUATE S CHOOL  URCA Program helps applicants stand out  Actual lab, studio, and field experiences  Alumni have high rate of acceptance into 1st choice of graduate schools  Alumni often receive assistantships/ fellowships at graduate schools

URCA P ROGRAM A PPLICATION  URCA Assistants  Students submit the online application directly to faculty members, due early August and December  See position postings at  Notification by the first day of the semester URCA Associates  Project proposals due at noon on the third Friday in March  Visit the following website for more information:  Notification by the end of April

M Y P ROJECT

Q UESTIONS ? For More Information Contact: Dr. Laura Pawlow, URCA Coordinator Dr. Vicki Scott, Assistant Provost for Academic Innovation and Effectiveness Kendra Fark, URCA Graduate Assistant