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Provost’s Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program
January 30, 2007, Volume 53, No. 20

CURF

The Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships announces the establishment of a new initiative which will create more opportunities for Penn undergraduates to participate in research with faculty and to offer these additional opportunities to students early in their academic and intellectual careers. 

The Provost’s Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program will select 12 outstanding rising sophomores to assist faculty members with their research during the summer. Research Mentors will receive $3,500 in research funding, and Research Assistants $4,000 for living expenses during their ten-week tenure.  Research Assistants will be expected to work 35 hours per week. Only second-semester freshmen are eligible to apply.  Faculty and researchers in all 12 of Penn’s schools may serve as Research Mentors.

“At the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships,” said Dr. Arthur D. Casciato, CURF’s Director, “we value research as an essential aspect of the process by which undergraduates learn about their disciplines and themselves deeply and well. We also believe that the most meaningful disciplinary and personal learning is accomplished as part of a relationship in which an undergraduate becomes involved with the research of a faculty member.  That’s why we are so grateful to Provost Daniels for giving a cohort of Penn’s very best freshmen this wonderful opportunity.”

Provost Ron Daniels said, “I am excited about this Program because it will serve students early in their academic career, encouraging and enabling them to take on more advanced research projects in their junior or senior year. Additionally, the Program supports the ongoing efforts of faculty members to integrate early stage undergraduates into their research and develop sustained mentoring relationships. In this way, the Program underscores the inextricable link between the research and teaching mission of the University.”

 Those faculty interested in serving as Research Mentors must submit brief descriptions of their summer research projects electronically to CURF by March 1. Students interested in serving as Research Assistants must submit their applications to CURF electronically by April 1. The selection of Research Assistants will be completed by April 15. For a more detailed explanation of the faculty description or student application process, visit CURF’s website at www.upenn.edu/curf/research/research_mentoring.htm or contact  Dr. Casciato at (215) 746-6491.

Almanac - January 30, 2007, Volume 53, No. 20