The CURI Advisory Committee will assess proposals for their attention to the Intended Learning Outcome (below):

1. The ability to recognize and articulate meaningful questions in the chosen area of study.
2. The ability to conduct research using methods appropriate to the field(s) of study.
3. The ability to find and interpret scholarly and creative works relevant to their project.
4. The ability to explain the research project and present the results to a variety of audiences.
5. The ability to work collaboratively.

During our in-person meeting, the Advisory Committee will determine the level of support for projects deemed fundable by attending to total demand for projects, number of student researchers, and available financial support from the college. We use the following criteria in that discussion:

1. We aim for diversity in disciplines funded.
2. We give preference to research proposals that align and contribute to the faculty member’s scholarly activity. This program does not support students’ independent study.
3. We expect proposals to specify the benefit to the student. CURI’s goal is to support authentic collaborations between faculty and students, not projects that put the student in the role of simply a worker.
4. We look for the potential of the project to contribute to scholarship beyond what is already known and for the dissemination of the results of the summer’s research.
5. We may attend to faculty status if resources are insufficient to meet demand; in such instances, we will prioritize support for projects proposed by tenure-track faculty.
6. We will match positions funded by external grant awards should the faculty member desire such a match.

Ultimately we only fund projects for which students apply. If faculty have someone already in mind when they submit their proposal, the student must still complete the online application.

Students will be invited to peruse projects descriptions, identify the project or projects for which they would like to be considered, and apply for a summer research stipend ($440 per week plus housing for 10 weeks) online by February 17. At that time, CURI will provide faculty mentors a list of students who expressed interest in their project. Faculty will identify the student(s) with whom they would like to work by March 2.

Please do not make promises to students before you review all applications. Formal announcements of acceptance will be sent by the CURI office.  Due to the high demand for CURI positions, college funding will be reserved for students planning to enroll in the subsequent Fall following the CURI experience.

• Opportunity to get to know students outside of the classroom
• Reward of passing on knowledge and skill while watching students grow academically under one’s guidance
• Give students a sense of the various career paths that may be taken to get to where you are today
• Faculty can enrich their own research with properly structured projects.

• Set clear and high standards for student performance
• Offer opportunities such as co-publishing and/or conference presentations when appropriate
• Give both positive feedback and constructive criticism
• Frequent, regularly scheduled communication with students, answering all questions to the best of one’s ability in a timely manner

• Students may be intimidated to meet with a faculty member out of the blue
• Posting information about current research projects outside office doors for students to peruse may be one way to make the initial interaction less nerve-wracking
• Students can become familiar with the type of research a faculty member may be interested in conducting prior to setting up a time to meet in person
• Students may also be able to formulate questions about current projects prior to meeting with the faculty member.

• In early May you will receive an e-mail from the CURI director with your spending unit number and your sub-account number along with an approved amount you are able to spend on supplies for your project.
• You may order supplies through your team AAA or yourself.
• Remember to use St. Olaf’s tax exempt status and save all receipts.
• Reimbursement forms must be completed using appropriate account numbers and signed by your Supervisor and the CURI director.

• It is each faculty member’s decision whether or not to accept volunteers onto their projects. Some choose to do so because individual students stand to gain from the experience. Others choose not to so as to avoid hierarchical relationships within their research teams among paid and unpaid student researchers.
• All faculty choosing to accept volunteers must have them complete the Volunteer Registration Form from Human Resources before they begin working on the project.
• Please inform the CURI office when you accept volunteers into your project so we can include them in communications.