CURI programming supports St. Olaf students five different ways:
- Positions in the annual summer research and inquiry program
- Positions in the academic year research and inquiry program
- Steen Fellowships for independent study during the summer
- Magnus the Good projects for research and reflection partnerships with faculty during the summer and academic year
- Support for student travel to present research and inquiry results at conferences
All five programs require a separate application process.
CURI Summer Research Program
Every year, St. Olaf students are invited to apply for full- or part-time, paid, mentored undergraduate research positions. Many projects comprise ten-week experiences (late May to early August) on campus with free housing in a dorm that allow students to grow in their research and/or creative inquiry skills; others run for shorter periods of time and might allow for work from home (in Minnesota). Whatever the duration, summer research and inquiry projects make strong contributions to scholarship at and beyond St. Olaf College. Each project can involve one or more students. Many faculty members hire students whom they don’t already know but who possess the right qualifications and enthusiasm for the project.
All Faculties (FA, HUM, IGS, NSM, SS) participate in the summer research program.
Summer Program Student Application Process and Timeline:
- Applications for 2025 are open and due on February 17th.
- Consult with faculty mentors about their projects, view project descriptions.
- Application materials are submitted through Oracle.
- Offers are sent in mid-March with decisions due shortly afterward.
- If you are offered and accept a position, you will be a “CURI Summer Researcher” (for use on your résumé).
- Program runs end of May to beginning of August.
Benefits and Expectations FAQ During the academic year, individual faculty members from multiple disciplines propose projects for up to 10 hours per week during fall or spring semester; each project can involve one or more students. Many faculty members hire students whom they don’t already know but who possess the right qualifications and enthusiasm for the project. The Lynn and Mary Steen Fellowship aims to support student-initiated projects that demonstrate independent scholarship, investigation, and creativity. Steen Fellows pursue their projects independently of faculty mentors during the summer and are awarded up to $5000 to help them do their work. Steen Fellowship Goals and Description Steen Fellowships for student-initiated projects expand opportunities for undergraduate research and investigation by enabling qualified students to undertake independent scholarship, investigation or creative activities in any field related to their college studies. Fellowships are intended to encourage applicants to explore intellectual and creative interests beyond the classroom. Projects should be designed and carried out by the applicant and should culminate in some sort of public report, presentation, performance or display. A selection committee of faculty will approve funding for feasible, interesting and well-designed projects that fit the applicant’s background and goals. For example, Fellowships might support research in libraries, laboratories, museums or archives; projects could involve fieldwork, travel or creating works of art. Proposals should be developed with the guidance of faculty but do not require faculty supervision. Fellowship awards are based on the quality and originality of the proposal and the qualifications of the applicant to successfully complete the project. Projects will be carried out in the summer and will not be eligible for academic credit. Fellowships are not to be used for support of internships or for formal study at other academic institutions. Eligibility is limited to rising juniors and seniors; awards are based on the proposal’s merit and will not depend on an applicant’s financial aid status. Applicants can use at most $3000 of the possible $5000 award as a stipend if they work at least 225 hours. The stipend, if awarded, will be paid in two installments: half in late May, the other half after CURI receives a report demonstrating progress and commitment to the project. The program will award 3-5 Fellowships each year of up to $5,000 each for an 8-10 week summer project. Steen Fellowship Application Process Application items include: Successful candidates will be asked to complete a waiver and a student stipend request form before initiating work on their project. Magnus the Good awards support faculty-student collaborations dedicated to research and/or reflection in any discipline. Supported by the “Magnus the Good Endowed Fund,” these Fellowships celebrate the ideals of the former Paracollege, by encouraging opportunities to extend and apply classroom learning. Initiated in 2003, the “Magnus the Good Endowed Fund,” established by friends of the former Paracollege honors several important values of the college, including that (1) both faculty and students learn and grow when they collaborate in one-on-one partnerships for research and/or reflection, and (2) students learn well through having opportunities to extend and apply classroom learning. Magnus the Good projects support any and all disciplines. Projects officially run June 1 to May 31, but the precise timing is negotiable. Magnus the Good Collaborative Fellowship Details Funds may be used to: Magnus the Good Collaborative Fellowship Expectations Magnus the Good Collaborative Fellowship Application Process A review committee convened by the CURI Director will announce recipients of the Fellows by end of March. Individual students may apply for up to $1000 to support travel to a conference for the purpose of presenting their work. Each member of a small team working on the same project may apply for travel support, with a maximum of $2000 per team. It is not always possible to fulfill all requests. Final awards are determined in part by an individual’s financial need as determined by the Financial Aid office.
CURI Academic Year Research Program
Independent Summer Research: Steen Fellowship
Academic Year Magnus the Good Collaborative Fellowships
CURI Student Travel