The Research Scholar opportunity is an intensive, multi-year, year-round, research and graduate school preparation program for upper-division STEM students actively wanting to pursue careers in academia. Scholars become academically well-rounded, competitive candidates for graduate study, and are prepared to succeed in earning Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees.
The Program first begins with a semester-long Scholar candidacy and involves:
-
Enrollment in a 1-credit academic research course, UNIV 2100, as a CAPS Research Scholar Candidate
-
Progression of a quantitative-focused research project
-
Faculty mentorship
-
Graduate school and application preparation
-
Engagement in a community of researchers
Upon successful completion of the UNIV 2100 course and semester requirements as a Candidate, students may be named CAPS Research Scholar or McNair Scholar based on their level of active participation, academic performance, and graduate school goals.
CAPS Research Scholars and McNair Scholars can partake in:
-
Fully funded, eight-week, research-intensive summer component at UConn-Storrs
-
Research symposia presentation experience
-
Fully funded travel to present their Scholar project at professional conferences and graduate school visits
-
Graduate school application fee waivers
The above items are guaranteed for McNair Scholars, and may be guaranteed for CAPS Research Scholars.
Check out the benefits infographic on our homepage to learn more about the benefits and prestige of being named McNair Scholar!
A Day in the Life...
See what the research scholar experience is like from the perspective of McNair Scholar, (now PhD student) Bethlehem Abebe!
Eligibility
To be eligible, students must:
- Be a sophomore or junior at UConn in good academic standing
- Be enrolled in a STEM major with plans to pursue a STEM M.S. and/or Ph.D.
- Identify as first-generation to college and from a household defined as low-income by the U.S. Department of Education and/or self-identify as an underrepresented racial or ethnic group in STEM graduate studies
Questions?
Contact CAPS Research Scholars/McNair Scholars Program Director, Renee Trueman, Ph.D.: renee.gilberti@uconn.edu
Apply to Become a CAPS Research Scholar Candidate to be in contention to be a CAPS Research Scholar or McNair Scholar!
The 2024-2025 application cycle closed in October 2024. Second and third year students can email Dr. Renee (renee.trueman@uconn.edu) to be ready for the next cycle, which will open in September 2025 to begin participating in January 2026.
The application will require:
- Demographic Information
- Eligibility Verification
- Short Answer Questions
- Unofficial Transcript