The URC helps faculty with mentorship by coordinating the Student Research Assistantship Program (SRAP) and providing support for Faculty Sponsored Research during the Summer Research Program. Each year the URC also recognizes a member of the Occidental community with the Award for Distinguished Creative Activity & Research Mentoring.
Student Research Assistantship Program
Purpose
The URC provides funding for faculty to hire Student Research Assistants during the academic year. This program has two related purposes: (i) To provide valuable learning opportunities and financial assistance to students by creating opportunities for academic year faculty-mentored research, and (ii) to support faculty in their research and creative and scholarly work.
Eligibility
All full-time students in good academic standing are eligible to apply. All full-time faculty are eligible to apply.
Funding
Faculty-student teams can apply for a full study award ($750, approximately 50 hours of work for the student) or a partial award (either $250 or $500, with proportional hours expectations).
Funding priority will be given to applications from:
- Faculty who do not have extramural grants or department endowments that support student research assistance,
- Faculty who have not been previously funded through this program,
- Untenured, tenure-track faculty,
- Sophomore or junior-year students,
- Transfer students,
- Students who do not have previous faculty-mentored research experience,
- Students who are underrepresented in the relevant field of study.
This program is intended to provide students with substantive research experience; SRAs cannot be used as general clerical help or as direct teaching support. SRAs can assist in areas such as, but not limited to, library research, data collection and analysis, and preparation of manuscripts, for both scholarly and pedagogical research projects.
Faculty and students funded by the program are expected to participate in a "Lightning Talk Reception" on their research in April 2025.
Application
Faculty mentors must submit the on behalf of their pre-selected student.
Applications for Fall 2024 are due September 9, 2024
(acceptance notification by September 13)
Applications for Winter Break are due December 2, 2024
(acceptance notification by December 6)
Applications for Spring 2025 are due January 21, 2025
(acceptance notification by January 27)
Supplemental Summer Funding for Faculty-Sponsored Student Researchers
The 2025 program begins on Tuesday, May 27, and ends on Friday, August 1, 2025. The annual all-day SRP conference is scheduled for Wednesday, July 30.
Purpose
The URC can provide additional funding for faculty with external grants or other sources for student research participation in the SRP. This funding helps cover the cost of subsidized on-campus room and board if other funds are unavailable. The application will ask faculty to provide the name of the student to be supported.
Note: Students funded through Faculty Sponsored Research should not submit applications for the SRP Fellowship.
Eligibility and Funding Priorities
All full-time faculty who have received external funding to support student SRP participants are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to those whose granting agencies do not cover student R&B, those who have not been previously funded through this program, and untenured, tenure-track faculty members.
If we do not have sufficient funding to provide for everyone who needs supplemental R&B, priority will be given to those who have not been previously funded through this program, and untenured, tenure-track faculty members.
Applications for Summer 2025 will open on January 13, 2025, and must be submitted by March 14, 2025, by 5 pm.
Faculty-Sponsored Summer Research Students
The 2025 program begins on Tuesday, May 27, and ends on Friday, August 1, 2025. The annual all-day SRP conference is scheduled for Wednesday, July 30.
Purpose:
Faculty with individual funding from extramural grants to cover the stipend ($6,000) plus room and board ($4,006 minus copay) are invited to select students for collaboration through the SRP. The URC will integrate these students into our SRP and handle all necessary paperwork.
Note: Students funded through Faculty Sponsored Research should not submit applications for the SRP Fellowship.
Eligibility and Funding Priorities:
Applications should be submitted by the faculty. All faculty who have received external funding to support student SRP participants are eligible to apply.
Applications for Summer 2025 will open on January 13, 2025, and must be submitted by March 14, 2025, by 5 pm.