Faculty Mentored Undergraduate Research During Summer
Every year, St. Olaf students are invited to apply for full-time, paid, mentored undergraduate research positions. Most projects comprise ten-week experiences on campus that allow students to grow in their research and/or creative inquiry skills. Some projects take alternative forms (e.g., shorter time periods; conducted in part or in full at off-campus research locations) in light of differences across fields of study. Projects that require field work or visits to resources that cannot be found on campus often have a shorter duration to offset the cost of student travel. Regardless, summer research and inquiry projects make strong contributions to scholarship at and beyond St. Olaf College.
All Faculties (FA, HUM, IGS, NSM, SS) participate in the summer research program.
2024 Summer Program Timeline for Student Applications:
- Positions advertised to students mid January.
- Students offers sent early March.
- Student decisions due mid March.
- Program runs end of May to beginning of August.
2024 Student Application Process:
- 2024 applications will be available in January 2024.
- Consult with faculty mentors if you have any questions about their projects.
- Submit your materials electronically by clicking on the link to apply within the project description by 2024 deadline TBD. Only complete applications will be considered.
- Students will only receive an offer for one project at most.
Benefits and expectations:
- Students earn $13/hour. Most projects require 40 hours for 10 weeks.
- Full time student researchers will be provided with a room in a residence hall double at no-charge. No support for off-campus housing.
- Students working as CURI researchers cannot hold other positions on campus during the program term.
FAQ
- If students receive housing support, that support will be taxed as though it is a wage.
- Meal plans are not provided.
- Parking permit is not provided.
- You will submit your final housing plans to the housing department when they send out their email in the spring for summer planning.
Independent Summer Research: Steen Fellowship
The Lynn and Mary Steen Fellowship aims to support student-initiated projects that demonstrate independent scholarship, investigation, and creativity. Student Steen Fellows pursue their projects independently of faculty mentors.
Steen Fellowship Goals and Description 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. Normally, 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 budget and will not depend on an applicant’s financial aid status. 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. Magnus the Good Collaborative Fellowship Details Funds may be used to: Magnus the Good Collaborative Fellowship Expectations Magnus the Good Collaborative Fellowship Application Process Submit proposals as a single document (PDF), which includes: Applications should be submitted via email to curi@stolaf.edu by early March.
Academic Year Magnus the Good Collaborative Fellowships
A review committee convened by the CURI Director will announce recipients of the Fellows by end of March.