UWRF Summer Scholars Program

Faculty and Academic Staff Development

UWRF Summer Scholars Program
Pilot UWRF Summer Scholars Program The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is supporting a Pilot UWRF Summer Scholars Program beginning the summer of 2012. The purpose of the undergraduate research scholarly and creative activity (URSCA) program is to foster collaborative faculty-student research, to enhance student learning and promote the culture of research, scholarly, and creative activities at UWRF. Projects supported by this program should exhibit the potential for scholarly publication, presentation at a conference, or creative performance. Up to 10 students will be supported as student scholars in 2012. The formal part of the 2012 program will involve a total of ten-weeks, beginning May 29th and ending August 3rd, 2012. During this time, students should devote full-time effort into their project and faculty mentors should be consistently available for consultation and collaboration. There are no restrictions, however, against completing additional work for the research project outside of the formal program period. Pictured right: the 2011 Pilot UWRF Summer Scholars Program Participants with Chancellor Van Galen Congratulations to the 2012 Pilot UWRF Summer Scholars Program Participants Eligibility The Pilot UWRF Summer Scholars Program is available to full-time undergraduate students in all disciplines. Students must have completed their freshman year by May 2012, be in good academic standing, and plan to graduate no earlier than December 2012. Faculty and students must be able to attend all of the mandatory program activities and submit required materials as outlined (see below). Because of the expected intensity of the research experience, students should expect to limit enrollment in courses and outside employment. Those receiving other summer RSCA funding including McNair stipends are not eligible for the Pilot UWRF Summer Scholars Program. The project must be collaborative. While the project may relate to a faculty member's creative, research, or scholarly agenda, the student must lead and execute the project independently in collaboration with a faculty mentor. Group projects are allowed, but each student seeking funding must submit a separate and distinct proposal that explains his/her individual contribution in relation to the larger group project.
Required Program Elements Exact dates of the meetings are to be determined Orientation Meeting and Welcome – Students will share their projects and ideas. There will be a brief discussion about the program’s process. Mid-Program Luncheon – Students will briefly discuss the progress of their work as well as enjoy a lunch with other program members. Wrap-up Meeting – Students will share their results and conclusions. Stipends Students: $3,000; Faculty: $1,000 Student stipends will be paid in three installments of $1,000 on dates to be determined. Faculty may mentor up to two students in the Pilot UWRF Summer Scholars Program, and they will receive a $1,000 stipend for each student, with a maximum of $2,000 for mentoring two students. Students may not divide the stipend among multiple members of a research team; each member must submit a separate application. Supplies and Expenses Students who are accepted into the 2012 Pilot UWRF Summer Scholars Program will be provided with up to $500 each for expenses necessary to support their projects. This may include books, lab supplies, travel to research sites, software, etc., but may not be used for travel to conferences or for capital purchases. Please fully complete the budget form, including all of your anticipated supplies and expenses. The budget should be included as a part of the application. Grants cannot be applied retroactively to cover expenses for research already completed. Selection Criteria The Faculty and Academic Staff Development Board or a delegated subcommittee thereof will review applications for the Pilot UWRF Summer Scholars Program. Students and mentors will be informed of the success of their application by mid-March, 2012. Applications will be ranked according to quality on each of the following criteria: (Please note the percentage listed by each title reflects its weight in scoring.) Background (20%) Overall quality of the project description, including background and how well the goals, rationale, and significance are articulated. Significance (20%) The significance of the project to provide educational value to the student and/or new insights into the discipline. Method (20%) How well the methodology, anticipated outcomes, and procedure is described and addressed. Dissemination Plan (20%) The project should have a reasonable plan for where this project will lead: exhibition, performance, presentation, paper, political, art, etc. Budget (10%) Provision of fully developed budget Overall quality and inclusiveness of the project budget Other Considerations (10%) The suitability and preparation of the student for the project The demonstrated ability and availability of the faculty mentor to successfully mentor undergraduate research/scholarship projects	Deadline: Applications are due by 4:00pm on February 8, 2012 Turn in one printed copy of the completed application (including budget) to the Interim Director of Grants and Research in North Hall 101. Also, turn in one electronic copy of the emailed to grantsandresearch@uwrf.edu. Information: Application Form Budget Form Contact: Molly Van-Wagner Interim Director of Grants and Research e: molly.van-wagner@uwrf.edu o: North Hall 101 t: 715-425-3195