The purpose of the OUR Summer Research Scholar Program is to provide undergraduate students with an immersive and engaged research experience and accompanying professional development training that strengthens the mission of Charlotte as an urban research university. Students will be engaged in research that addresses novel questions and advances the public good.
Students can choose to be full-time participants (40 hours/week) and receive up to $5000 or be part-time participants (20 hours/week) and receive up to $2500 throughout the 10-week program.
Admission Requirements
- The OUR Summer Research Scholar Program is open to Charlotte undergraduates who are rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors.
- Students must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Students must be enrolled in the upcoming Fall semester in order to be eligible to participate.
- Full-time participants cannot attend summer school while simultaneously participating in the program. However, part-time participants may attend summer school during the program.
- Students must attend all OUR professional development workshops.
- Students must attend and present at the Summer Research Symposium.
Summer Abstract Book
The Summer Research Symposium is the culmination of our students' summer research. Please view the summer abstract book below.
Click here to view the Summer 2022 Research Abstract Book
Proposed Calendar for 2023
| January 9 - January 31 |
Scholar participation application open |
|
March |
OUR Summer Research scholars notified of acceptance |
|
May 30 - August 8 |
OUR Summer Research Scholar Program |
| August 8th | OUR Summer Research Symposium, Popp Martin Student Union |
| Check them out here | Professional Development Workshops |
Click here to fill out the 2023 Application Form
If you are applying for this program, you can review all OUR Summer project descriptions in your application. Application for summer end 5pm, January 31st, 2023.
Expectations of OUR Summer Research Scholars
- Attend all professional development training sessions and social events. Excused absences must be approved by both your research mentor and Dr. Sarah Powell, OUR Associate Director, at least 48 hrs prior.
- Be a committed research trainee during the internship period. To that end, you must make regular contact with your research mentor for guidance and direction on the research project. The exact frequency of these interactions is largely up to your research mentor, and in many instances this might be nearly daily contact, but should be at least weekly.
- Stay on task. You are responsible for committing to the required amount of work on the research project (full-time is 40 hours/week and part-time is 20 hours/week). Vacations and extended time away from campus cannot occur during the internship period. You will be held accountable for the time spent on the project and the quality of your work.
- Complete all required deliverables by the specified deadlines, including the research abstract, research poster, curriculum vitae, and final report. Similarly, all deliverables should strictly adhere to OUR Summer Research Scholar Program formats, which will be provided later.
- Check email daily, completely read all OUR Summer Research Scholar messages, and reply promptly when information is requested.
- Present a poster describing the results of your research at the Summer Research Symposium that occurs at the end of the program.
- Report any needs or concerns regarding the project and/or mentor as soon as they develop to OUR. For example, if you are not receiving sufficient help from your research mentor, please let the Director know as soon as possible.
- Complete the OUR Summer Research Scholar Program evaluation, which will be emailed to all scholars at the conclusion of the program.
- Notify the Director of any awards you receive, professional meetings you attend, and/or research papers you present at professional meetings that correspond to this work.
- Notify the Director of any changes in your contact information (address, phone number, email address) during the internship period.
- Acknowledge the OUR Summer Research Scholar Program on any publications, research posters, and oral presentations where you serve as a coauthor corresponding to this work.
OUR Summer Research Scholar Program Mentor Expectations
Charlotte Faculty are eligible to apply to participate in this program. However, you will need to submit a summer project using the 2023 OUR Summer Call For Faculty Research Form. Faculty mentors will earn $750 for participation in the program.
In addition, Faculty Mentors must:
- Be a committed mentor to an OUR Summer Research Scholar participant during the internship period. You are expected to find a suitable interim mentor if you are out-of-the-office for more than one week. Communicate the interim mentor’s name to the OUR Summer Research Scholar Program Director.
- Have contact with your student on a regular basis during the summer to provide guidance and direction on the research project as well as discuss the progress of the project. In many instances this might be nearly daily contact, but should be at least weekly.
- Train the scholar in the skills required to be successful in his/her research project. This can be done directly by you, or by a suitable substitute (i.e., graduate student).
- Keep the scholar on task. The scholar is responsible for 40 hours/week (if full-time) or 20 hours/week (if part-time) on the research project. The scholar should be held accountable for the time spent on the project and the quality of their work. Similarly, ensure that the scholar completes all required deliverables in a timely manner.
- Keep the OUR Summer Research Scholar Program Director informed of your scholar’s progress. This will include the completion of a midterm and final evaluation form as well as submission of periodic statements of their progress via email.
- Assist the scholar in writing an abstract, research report, and poster based on their summer research project by providing constructive criticism. The essential contents of the paper will be distributed to the scholars and mentors. The format should reflect the standard format of a peer-reviewed publication in your discipline.
- Attend the Summer Research Symposium to be held at the end of the program, or send representatives from your research group/department if you are unable to attend.
- Attend social events (the cookout and ice cream social) if possible, or arrange for representatives from your research group/department.
- Report any needs or concerns to the OUR Summer Research Scholar Program as soon as they develop.
- Complete the OUR Summer Research Scholar Program evaluation, which will be emailed to all mentors at the conclusion of the program.
- Acknowledge the OUR Summer Research Scholar Program on any publications, research posters, and oral presentations where the student serves as a coauthor corresponding to this work.