CAPS Research Scholar Candidate – Prepare to be a Scholar

student in lab

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 research-focused careers, especially in academia. Scholars become academically well-rounded, competitive candidates for graduate study, and are prepared to succeed in earning Doctoral (PhD, EdD) degrees. ​

The Program first begins with a semester-long Scholar candidacy and involves:
  • Commitment to research communication- and graduate school-preparation workshops throughout the spring semester
  • Progression of a quantitative-focused research project​ with a faculty project mentor at Storrs
  • Holistic one-on-one conversations with CAPS Research/McNair Director, Dr. Renee, and graduate student mentors to discuss project progress, academics, life, and internship and graduate school/career goals
  • Summer research internship preparation
  • Graduate school application preparation​​
  • Engagement in a community of researchers

​Upon successful fulfillment of Candidate expectations, 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!

      video link

      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 or be a member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education

      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!

      Submit your "intent to apply" - CAPS Research Scholar Candidate - Intent to Apply, Fall 2026 – Fill out form

      Attend an info session at Dr. Renee's WebEx to learn more. Stop in for a quick question, or stay the full duration (you don't have to log in at the start time, login any time during these windows).

      • Wednesday, Sept 23, 11 - 11:45am
      • Friday, October 2, 12:30 - 1:15pm
      • Thursday, October 8, 11:30am - 12:15pm
      • Monday, October 12, 2:30 - 3:15pm

      All sessions are on WebEx: https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/meet/rmg03003 

      The application is due October 14 2026, before 12noon EST - https://uconn.kualibuild.com/app/62c85642d07682c3d239715a/page/62c85642d07682c3d239715a/run

      The application will require:

      • Eligibility Verification
      • Short Answer Questions
      • Unofficial Transcript (please follow instructions to save your document with the appropriate file name)

      Second and third year students can email Dr. Renee (renee.trueman@uconn.edu) any time during the current cycle or to be ready for the next cycle. Each academic year, recruitment begins in September for January start for CAPS Research Scholar Candidate.