The Center for Academic Success and Excellence and the Office of Undergraduate Research are excited to announce a paid research program for freshman and sophomore KC Scholars!
KC Scholars Undergraduate Research Circles will provide opportunities for up to 20 students for two semesters.
What is an Undergraduate Research Circle?
Circles are made up of 8-15 undergraduates engaged in research with different MU faculty mentors, clustered around a discipline or research topic. Circle undergraduates meet once a week as a group during the school year to enhance research skills, learn more about the research discipline, and develop professional skills. The program includes both the 10 hours per week working in a research setting and the weekly Research Circle meeting.
Program Structure and Benefits
Selected students will
- Be matched with a faculty member and research team to develop research skills and learn more about the cutting-edge work being done in the appropriate discipline
- Work 10 hours/week at the rate of $14/hour (up to $4,000 during the academic year)
- Attend weekly Research Circle meetings in addition to the regular KC Scholars meetings
- Enhance professional skills vital for career-readiness
- Develop a mentoring relationship with a faculty member, which can lead to strong letters of recommendation
- Develop a community with other undergraduate researchers in similar disciplines
- Gain experience to be competitive for upperclass research fellowships and summer internships
2024-2025 Research Circles
Engineering Research
This Circle will cover all areas of engineering research at MU including aerospace, biological & biomedical, chemical, civil & environmental, electronic, industrial & systems, and mechanical as well as computer science, information technology, and data science. Students applying for this Circle should be majoring in engineering, physics, chemistry, or mathematics.
Research to Benefit Children
This Circle will encompass behavioral and social science research about children. This will include research related to education, human development, psychology, social work, policy, culture, and other topics related to the well-being of children in family and community settings. Although students planning health care careers are welcome to apply for this Circle, research projects will not be biomedical in nature. We are especially interested in students majoring in psychology, sociology, public health, social work, education, speech language & hearing sciences, human development and family sciences, nursing, communication, economics, and political science.
Application Process
Who Can Apply?
Eligible students for 2024-2025 will meet all of the following criteria:
- KC Scholars enrolled full-time, on-campus at MU for both Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters
- Entering freshman or sophomore year at MU
- Intended major(s) and career interests align with one of the Research Circle areas
Application
Application Materials
Please prepare the following:
- Updated resume in PDF format
- Description of three (3) personal goals for Fall 2024
- Explanation of why you are interested in engaging in undergraduate research (no more than 120 words)
- Consideration of how involvement in either Engineering or Child Research will impact your academic and/or career goals (no more than 120 words)
- Explanation of how your personal skills, strengths, and attributes will be helpful in a research setting (no more than 120 words)
- Any prior research experience (not required!)
Review Process
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning Aug. 19. Students may be invited for an interview in early September prior to formal acceptance. Notification of formal acceptance will be sent to the student’s MU email address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Undergraduate Research Circle?
Circles are made up of 8-15 undergraduates engaged in research with different MU faculty mentors, clustered around a discipline or research topic. Circle undergraduates meet once/week as a group during the school year to enhance research skills, learn more about the research discipline, and develop professional skills. The Program includes both the 10 hrs/week working in a research setting and the weekly Circle meeting.
I am interested in the Engineering Circle – what will I be doing?
It will depend on the type of research and experimental approaches your lab is doing. Your work may be chemical or computational or something entirely different. You may be measuring and collecting data or analyzing data. You may be helping a graduate student with their project or be assigned support duties for the entire lab so that you can learn more about all aspects of the project. Your time in the lab will be spent building your knowledge and skills to prepare you for more advanced and independent research opportunities.
I am interested in the Children Circle – what will I be doing?
The work you do will depend on the specific research projects your mentor is working on. You may be entering data collected by a graduate student into a database. You may be interviewing parents about their child’s language development. You might be reviewing videos made of infants interacting with their mother and coding their behavior.You maybe searching the web for different state policies on vaccination requirements for preschool enrollment. There are a variety of research methods used across the disciplines that you may engage in.
How will I be matched with a faculty mentor and research team?
Students selected for this program will be provided a list of potential faculty mentors and research topics. After an orientation to the program, students will interview with 2-4 potential mentors of their choice. Mentors will be interviewing 3-4 KC Scholars. After the round of interviews students and mentors will be asked to rank their preferences and staff will make final matches. This system provides you an opportunity to consider different mentors and research areas.
I have more than 60 credit hours because of advanced placement credit, but it is only my second year at MU. Am I eligible?
Yes. This program is for students attending their first or second year of college as a full-time student.
I am planning on studying abroad in January 2025. Am I eligible?
Unfortunately no. We expect students to make a two semester commitment to this program and their mentor.
I have Work Study Funding. Am I eligible to participate?
Students with Federal Work Study are eligible and may earn their funding allocation as a participant in this program. If your Work Study funds run out before May 2025, the Program will cover your salary for the rest of the semester.
I am also interested in the BioFLARE or MARC/IMSD program. Can I do two programs?
No. You are limited to one undergraduate research program. Staff can help you decide which program best fits your needs and interests.
I already have a campus job. Can I do this program too?
We do not recommend that you work more than 15 hours/week in order to devote the time you need to your studies and the research experience.
I am not planning to go to graduate school. Should I still consider this program?
Yes! The experience and skills you will gain are transferrable to a variety of career options and educational plans.
I don’t know exactly what I am interested in. Do I need to know to participate?
No. The program will help you think about your interests in either Engineering or Children and help you identify potential research mentors.
Do I need to present a research project at the end of the year?
You will not be required to present research at ShowMe Research Week (but you can!). We will ask Circle students to provide a short overview on their activities to their peers at the end of the year. We will provide you with guidelines and suggestions.
Can I continue research after May 2025?
Yes. You may be asked to stay with your research team by your faculty mentor. Or you may decide to pursue a different line of research, in which case staff will be able to help you explore your options. At this time the funding for KC Scholars is only for 2024-2025.
When will I start working and earning money?
We aim to have you submitting your first time sheet the week of Oct. 7, 2024.
Other Research Opportunities
If your research interests do not align with the two Circles being offered this year (Engineering and Child Research), there are other opportunities you may be eligible for this fall. The KC Scholars Program at MU will hold an information session on Zoom about the KC Scholars Research Circles and other programs. Staff in the Office of Undergraduate Research are eager to talk with you at these information sessions and individually about your options!
- Freshmen Research in Plants (FRIPs)
- Biophysics First-Year Learning and Research Experience (BioFLARE)
- Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) / Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity ( MARC/IMSD)
- Psychology Undergraduate Research Scholars
- Discover Program
Program Coordinators
If you have any questions, please email the KC Scholars Undergraduate Research Circles program coordinators:
Ana-Maria Fernandez
CASE & KC Scholars Coordinator
Linda Blockus
Office of Undergraduate Research