Carolina Cluster Career Pathways Initiative
Undergraduate Research and Creative Project
Summer 2020
Deadline: Applications Are Due April 30, 2020 [See Below for Application]
Purpose of the Program:
The Undergraduate Research and Creative Project Award enhances opportunities for undergraduate students in the
Carolina Cluster, i.e., Benedict College, Claflin University, and Voorhees College, to participate in research and creative activities under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
Research projects must focus on developing and testing a hypothesis or theory using methods relevant to an academic discipline. Creative projects must develop or test new materials, methods or techniques, i.e., artistic, literacy, educational, or physical, by methods other than those traditionally considered “research.” All disciplines are encouraged to participate.
NOTE: This summer research project can be done virtually if the faculty mentor agrees.
Eligibility Requirements:
Undergraduate students at one of the Carolina Cluster sites, (i.e., Benedict College, Claflin University and Voorhees
College) are able to participate in this State Office sponsored Carolina Cluster Career Pathways Program.
Funding:
– Summer stipend is $2400 for students conducting 6 weeks of research.
– Faculty mentors will receive $500 at the end of the program.
– Note: Only one application will be accepted per faculty mentor
Payment:
Stipends will be paid to students in 2-3 installments during the summer project period.
Student Commitment:
During the research project, students are required to provide the Carolina Cluster with a bi-weekly paragraph reporting on their progress. Students are also to present their work as required by their faculty mentor. At the end of their summer project period, students are to provide the Carolina Cluster with an abstract of their work, with a five to ten minutes video presentation. If a Carolina Cluster Research Symposium is held, student awardees and/or their faculty mentors will present their work at that Symposium.
Faculty Commitment:
In addition to developing student research projects with assessed deliverables, we ask that faculty members help students to incorporate the experience into their resume as well as help students to effectively articulate an overview of the research experience.
To Apply:
1) Write a 1-2 page description of the project’s scope of work detailing the scope of work to be performed during the summer as part of the undergraduate research project. Include the project’s objective, methodology, findings, conclusions, or intended results. The scope of work document will be uploaded with the application.
2) Obtain a letter of support from the Faculty Research Advisor regarding the research project. The letter of support will be uploaded with the application.
3) Complete the online application and upload to it the scope of work and the letter of support by April 30, 2020.