Program Overview

About Us

The Undergraduate Research Academy encourages students to expand their education beyond the classroom through participation in research and creative projects mentored by UCCS faculty. The Academy objective is to support collaborative efforts between the student and faculty member, where both members benefit from the experience. Academy students act as research assistants on meaningful projects identified by their faculty mentor. The faculty member is responsible for providing significant and meaningful guidance and mentorship. Through this opportunity, the student gains valuable experience, while being paid, and the faculty member’s research program goals are furthered. Students may identify faculty mentors or vice versa.

As a high-impact practice, undergraduate research is an opportunity for students to explore their fields hands-on with the guidance of experienced faculty. Data from UCCS indicates that students participating in the URA are four times as likely to attend graduate school and are 120% more likely to reach graduation. It is evident that taking part in mentored undergraduate research experiences is valuable piece in enhancing student experience, retention, and success. The Center for Student Research encourages applications from interdisciplinary teams and diverse student and/or faculty mentors from all disciplines.

Download the full program overview, eligibility, and expectations HERE

Download the application HERE

Summer 2025 Applications Due March 31st

Program Information

The student and faculty member can apply for funding from the Undergraduate Research Academy Summer Program to support their research project. For this call, the maximum total award available is $4000. This call is meant to support summer research (e.g. students work May-August). Although the dates of the research internship are flexible, students are expected to dedicate ~200 hours towards research over the summer[1]. Students must attend all summer URA workshops held during the 2025 summer semester including a 1/2 day Responsible Conduct of Research training in August 2025.

Awards cover budget requests for student pay, project-related supplies, travel, or a faculty honorarium. Students will be paid as research assistants and hired as student employees. Mentors should use the criteria determined by student employment to determine the appropriate pay level.

  • The majority of the budget must go directly to the student, therefore a maximum of $1000 can be used for expenses other than student pay. Please note that the entire award can be used for student pay.
  • If a portion of that $1000 will be used for a faculty honorarium, it is limited to $750.
  • The review committee may suggest a reduced budget. The Faculty Mentor can appeal the committee’s decision to the URA director. The URA director will determine if a research proposal will be funded at the reduced rate.
  • If Faculty Mentors require an extension for unused funds at the end of the summer period, they must contact the URA director for an extension by August 31st, 2025. Funds may be extended into the fall semester if there is a legitimate research purpose.
  • Student applicant must be a junior or senior standing in Summer 2025
  • Project and faculty mentor identified
  • Previous URA mentees in good standing are eligible to reapply, however, preference will be given to student and faculty pairs that have not previously received funding from Undergraduate Research Academy.
  • Mentors should be tenure-track, tenured or research appointment faculty, although instructors may mentor students as well with approval from their department chair.

  • Complete an applicant demographics questionnaire.

  • Attendance and participation in the Welcome URA 101 meeting in May (multiple meeting options will take place during May so all can attend) and all four Summer URA workshops (~2 hours each) typically with two sessions held in June and one in July and a half-day Responsible Conduct of Research mini-conference in August.

  • Attend regular meetings with mentor.

  • Dedicate ~200 hours towards research over the summer (work schedule to be determined by the faculty mentor and student depending on their availability and project needs).

  • Give a poster presentation at Mountain Lion Research Day (MLRD) December 2025 or at the Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum (CSURF) in Spring 2026. Note: students graduating in Fall 2025 must participate in the Mountain Lion Research Day in Fall 2025. Any other professional conference presentation may be substituted for MLRD or CSURF presentations.

  • Completion of an Exit Survey

  • Collaborate on the proposal for the URA with the student researcher and submit the proposal via email to csr@uccs.edu by the application deadline.

  • Research mentoring

    • Help student researcher set and meet clearly defined expectations. New in 2025, we are now requiring student-faculty pairs complete a mentoring agreement as part of their application packet. Templates for which can be found HERE .

    • Meet regularly with the student researcher

    • Mentor the student researcher on developing their posters/presentations for MLRD or CSURF

  • Track expenditures for your URA funding and ensure compliance with university policies (e.g. student employment)

  • Notify URA director of all scholarly products resulting from this award

  • Notify URA director about the student’s acceptance into graduate school or employment post-graduation

  • Completion of an exit survey

Policies

[1] Students must abide by university policies on employment. These policies may differ between the regular semester and the summer semester. Faculty Mentors are responsible for ensuring they are following university policies regarding student employment.

Questions can be directed to Jennifer Poe, URA Director at csr@uccs.edu.