Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Program Academic Innovation and Effectiveness

What is the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Program? 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.

Purpose of the URCA Program Encourage Recognize Support Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

History of the URCA Program Began as the Undergraduate Research Academy at SIUE in 1990; original Academy had 33 Scholars Total of 285 students have completed the program since then Projects from 41 different majors and specialties 165 faculty have served as mentors

Participation Options URCA Assistant Works on faculty led research or creative activity for 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 Participants Receive: URCA Assistants $800 award per semester URCA Associates $2000 award $500 toward project expenses $400 conference travel presentation

Benefits for Students 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

Students Participate in: Innovative research or creative activities Discipline-specific problem-solving Networking with students in various disciplines Grant-writing experiences Professional presentations

URCA Impact: Graduate School 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 Program Application URCA Assistants Students submit the online application directly to faculty members, due Aug. 1 and Dec. 1 See position postings at 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

My Project

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