Mentored Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Grant (MURC)

Academic Year 2023–2024

Award

Up to $1500 per TEAM: $500.00 for an early undergraduate researcher and $1,000.00 for a graduate student mentor.  Funds will be deposited to the student’s bursars account.

Goals

To promote meaningful undergraduate research and/or creative activity experiences for first- or second-year students and provide graduate students, staff, and faculty with opportunities to mentor undergraduates.

We will fund teams of a mentor and undergraduate student mentee that meet the requirements described below. The number of awards each cycle will depend on the funding available.

Deadline for Mentor Applications

Spring or Summer 2024: EXTENDED to November 29 (midnight)

Timeline

  • Funds for Spring and Summer Projects will be deposited during the Spring semester.

  • Summer projects must be presented at the late summer Research Day (end of July/beginning of August

  • Spring projects must be presented at either the April Showcase or the late summer Research Day (end of July/beginning of August).

Mentor Requirements

  • All Mentors applying as part of a team (Mentor-Mentee) will indicate the student with whom they will be working. The undergraduate research/creative activity mentee must be an A&S student majoring in any of the A&S disciplines who has been on our campus no more than four semesters (not including summer terms). Preference will be given to students with freshman or sophomore status.
  • Mentors will submit the application on behalf of the TEAM and indicate the student with whom they will be working. The undergraduate research/creative activity mentee must be an A&S student majoring in any of the A&S disciplines who has been on our campus no more than four semesters (not including summer terms). Preference will be given to students with freshman or sophomore status.
  • The undergraduate student mentee must be deeply involved with the research project or have a project of their own rather than act solely as an assistant. This must be made clear in the research project description.
  • A graduate student applicant is a master’s or doctoral student from A&S or the Health Science Campus (Medical, Dental, Nursing) who will mentor an undergraduate student
  • The graduate student applicant has permission from their major advisor/mentor to participate in the award activities
  • A staff applicants hold a terminal degree in the field of study (usually a Ph.D., MFA, etc.) and are from A&S, or Medical, Dental or Nursing colleges.
  • Staff mentors will NOT receive funding but their undergraduate mentee will receive $500.00 in support.
  • Preference will be given to graduate student mentors.
  • Preference will be given to faculty that do not have Ph.D. or Master’s students in their department.
  • Faculty mentors will NOT receive funding but their undergraduate mentee will receive $500.00 in support.
  • The undergraduate student is a major in any of the A&S disciplines and has not been enrolled as an undergraduate at the University of Louisville for more than four semesters (not including summer terms). Preference will be given to students with freshman or sophomore status.
  • The Dean’s Office will examine your UofL college transcript to verify your standing.
  • A poster presentation by the undergraduate mentee at the Spring Research Showcase (April) or the Summer Research Day (early August) is required.
  • Both mentor and mentee will complete a survey at the end of the project, provide an electronic copy of the poster and will be asked to contribute to social media support for the program

*Preference will be given to graduate student mentors.

Application Links

TEAM Application for Mentored Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Grant