Divisions – Physics and Astronomy – Nadine Barlow Undergraduate Research Support Award

In memory of CURPA Councilor Nadine Barlow, a limited number of Undergraduate Research Support Awards (URSA), with a maximum amount of $500 each, will be offered to help undergraduates (1) conduct faculty-mentored research, (2) present their research at national conferences, or (3) publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.

Requested funds can cover:

• Conference registration and/or travel
• Publication fees
• Research supplies
• Student research stipends

Deadline for Submissions

January 15, 2025

Eligibility

• Applicants must be undergraduate students pursuing a physics-related major at the time of the application
• Applicants must be enrolled at an institution that has a CUR membership or have a faculty research advisor who is a CUR member
• Applications must attach a Support Letter from the applicant’s faculty research mentor.
• Preference will be given to:
  • Applicants that have a commitment from their institution for matching funds (this should be verified in the support letter from his/her advisor)
  • Applicants from groups typically underrepresented in physics
  • Applicants who have not previously received a CURPA URSA

Application Procedure

To apply for a CURPA URSA:

• Complete the online application form, associated with the appropriate application deadline, that includes:
  • Applicant and mentor personal information
  • An abstract describing the research the applicant will be conducting and/or disseminating
  • An itemized budget and justification for the requested amount (up to $500)
  • A description of matching funds the applicant will receive from his/her institution (not required but encouraged)
  • A Motivation Statement (500 words or less) describing why the applicant is seeking an URSA and how s/he will benefit from the experience
• Request a Support Letter from your faculty research advisor. The advisor letter should address: (1) the research abilities of the applicant, (2) the benefits of the research experience to the student, and (3) the amount that the institution is matching to support the student. Support Letters will be kept confidential and must be attached via the applicaiton form. Letters must be saved as a .pdf, .doc, or .docx only.
• Award notifications will be sent out in March.

Award Limits and Requirements

• Only one URSA application per research project will be considered.
• A student may only receive one URSA per academic year
• Each awardee can receive up to $500 depending on the budget submitted and the available funds.
• Awardees are required to acknowledge the URSA in any poster/talk/paper that results from the funding.
• Within 90 days of the receiving the URSA, awardees must submit the following:
  • copy of poster/talk/paper that the funding supported
  • description of experience (250 words or less)
  • Photo or graphical image for the CURPA Newsletter with a caption and credit
• All CUR Award recipients are responsible for any and all applicable tax obligations associated with receipt of the award.
  
  All students, faculty, mentors, organizations, and institutions honored with becoming a part of the CUR award recipient community, you have the professional and ethical responsibility to maintain the highest professional conduct standards and embody the CUR Code of Ethics for Undergraduate Research in your words, actions, and deeds. In addition, all participants are expected to abide by the CUR Code of Conduct. Expectations for awardees are to show courtesy and civility in both their personal and professional communications while forever representing CUR and the distinguished honor of the specific award rewarded. One must conduct oneself in a manner both professional and ethical.

Questions

Contact CUR Physics and Astronomy Division Representative Ted Dezen.

Nadine Barlow Undergraduate Research Support Award Recipients