Syracuse Sun

The SOURCE (Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement) has unveiled new grant opportunities and revisions to existing student award programs for the upcoming 2024-25 academic year.

"Based on feedback from students and faculty, the new award and changes to existing awards will make SOURCE funding more flexible for an even broader population of students," stated Kate Hanson, director of the SOURCE.

The newly introduced SOURCE Bridge Award aims to provide short-term, renewable support up to $2,000 for students at all levels to engage in mentored research experiences. According to the announcement, the Bridge Award application cycle will occur three times per year, allowing students to apply for fall semester funding in July, spring semester funding in October, and summer funding in April. To apply for the Bridge Award, students must identify a faculty mentor and develop a research plan for the subsequent semester.

Hanson highlighted the versatility of the Bridge Award, emphasizing its ability to support students in various stages of research, whether they are initiating a project, conducting lab work, working on a capstone or thesis, or preparing for a conference presentation.

In addition to the Bridge Award, the SOURCE Fellowship application cycle will now take place exclusively in the spring, offering funding ranging from $3,200 to $7,700, depending on the timeline, to support summer and/or full academic year research. The fellowship's criteria underscore the importance of advanced student-led or student-designed original research and creative work that enhances skills and leads to a substantial deliverable relevant to the discipline.

Furthermore, in collaboration with the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA), the CFSA-SOURCE Emerging Research Fellows Program, formerly known as the Young Research Fellows Program, encourages first-year students with a keen interest in research to apply for a two-year program that provides guided research development, including participation in a one-credit course on the research process.

New awards have also been introduced to acknowledge the broader undergraduate research community at the University. The SOURCE Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring and the SOURCE Award for Innovation in Undergraduate Research Support will honor a faculty mentor and a campus partner office or initiative that have significantly contributed to undergraduate research activity. Moreover, the CFSA-SOURCE Graduation Recognition, set to commence in spring 2025, will provide a cord for students who have engaged in undergraduate research and/or national fellowships applications and programs.

The SOURCE programs are open to undergraduate students across all majors, with eligibility, application procedures, and additional details available on the SOURCE website. Interested individuals can reach out to SOURCE at ugresearch@syr.edu.