Christine DeVitt Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

Objective

Encourage high quality undergraduate research in the Arts and Sciences at LCU through recognizing select students as Christine DeVitt Undergraduate Research Scholars.

Eligibility

The RFIUR invites all LCU undergraduate students from all academic disciplines and majors to apply to the Christine DeVitt Undergraduate Research Scholars program, providing that they meet each of the following criteria:

  1. Student must be in good academic standing with the university
  2. Student must have at least one full academic semester remaining before graduation
  3. Student must have a faculty member who is currently serving or has agreed to serve as their research mentor

Selection

The RFIUR Advisory Council will evaluate applications and choose scholars based on the following criteria:

  1. Current and previous research activities
  2. Feasibility and merits of proposed research
  3. Mentor’s assessment of their potential as an undergraduate researcher
  4. Additional academic and civic accomplishments and commitments

Requirements and Funding

To receive all designated funding, Scholars must remain actively engaged in research activities throughout their term. Additionally, Scholars will be expected to participate in internal and external research events, such as Scholars Colloquium and other relevant research conferences. Scholars will also serve as ambassadors for undergraduate research at LCU by occasionally being asked to speak about their research to faculty, students, and visitors. Scholars will be provided a $2,000 stipend paid in two installments. One half will be disbursed during the semester that they are selected, and the remainder will be paid at the end of their term providing the following criteria are met: 1) Sign a contract agreeing to the terms of the program and provide a thank you note to the CH Foundation prior to receiving the first payment, and 2) Provide the RFIUR Advisory Council with a summary of their research activities prior to receiving the second payment.

Up to $1,250 of additional funding will be available to support the Scholar’s research activities, beyond additional funding opportunities offered by RFIUR or other LCU resources. These funds may be used for necessary equipment and materials, research related travel, or other expenses that directly aid the Scholar’s research project.