Scholars Transforming Through Research Program

Want to Teach Your Students the Impact of Undergraduate Research Beyond the Walls of a Classroom?

Submissions are now being accepted for teams to participate in year two of CUR’s advocacy program, Scholars Transforming Through Research (STR).

The STR Program is a six-month program that serves as a professional development opportunity for both faculty and mentors as well as undergraduate research students. In teams of up to four – one, two, or three students and one faculty/mentor – participants will garner communication and advocacy skills to leverage the impact of their undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry experience by conveying their story to stakeholder groups such as funding agencies, association partners, elected officials, media contacts, future employers, community members, and beyond.

What is the importance of the program? Accepted teams will engage in virtual skill development and discussion sessions throughout the school year and a required in-person meeting in November. Throughout the year, STR teams will become part of CUR’s advocacy ambassadors to advocate for the impact of research with media contacts, community members, funding agencies, and elected governmental representatives. At the conclusion of the program, CUR’s community will join in the celebration of our program graduates during an online spring capstone presentation activity.

Who can participate? This program provides advocacy training and opportunities for institutional teams. Teams must consist of a campus representative team lead – faculty or mentor – and up to three undergraduate research students who are currently enrolled in or have previously completed an undergraduate research experience. Each team member is involved in all aspects of the training sessions provided. There is no need for each member of the team to share disciplines, however, each team member must choose a discipline they are individually representing when applying.

When does this program take place? This program will kick off online for a virtual orientation and kick-off workshop on October 12 and October 26, 2023. The virtual kick-off will then be followed by an in-person meeting at the Washington Hilton on November 5-6, 2023 for networking with other STR teams and congressional meetings. This is followed by monthly, virtual training sessions, and ends with the Virtual Spring Showcase in April 2024.

Submissions close September 7, 2023.