Faculty member Broderick Fox speaks to student Brendan Galbreath in an office full of books

The URC supports faculty mentorship through our Student Research Assistantship Program, by providing summer room and board funding for students conducting Faculty Sponsored Research, and with resources for professional development both on and off campus. 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 academic good 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 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 a 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, 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.

Application

Faculty should submit a complete application together with their pre-selected student. 

Applications for Fall 2023 are due September 5, 2023
(acceptance notification by September 8)

Applications for Winter Break are due December 12, 2023
(acceptance notification by December 15)

Applications for Spring 2024 are due January 16, 2024
(acceptance notification by January 19)


Supplemental Summer Funding for Faculty Sponsored Student Researchers

Purpose

The URC provides supplemental funding for faculty who have external grants or other funding for  student research participation in the Summer Research Program to cover the cost of student on-campus room and board (subsidized based on student financial need). 

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 Summer Research Program 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 room and board, those who have not been previously funded through this program, and untenured, tenure-track faculty members.

Applications for Summer 2024 are due March 19, 2023


Professional Development Opportunities

The URC has (limited) funding available for faculty to attend undergraduate research mentoring conferences, workshops, or other opportunities that support their professional development as faculty mentors. If you have identified a particular conference or workshop that would support your work with undergraduate student researchers, please submit an application no later than 4 weeks prior to the date of the event

Contact Undergraduate Research Center
Library

2nd floor, Old Wing, Room 253A