Eleven undergraduates have been selected as the first to benefit from a new Summer Research Scholarship Program that will begin in June. Each student will receive a grant of $3,000 to support 10 weeks of research this summer.

The new program was open to all UConn undergraduates currently registered as full-time students, who expect to continue with full-time study next fall. "Traditionally, financial support for research has been available primarily to graduate students," said Michael Cutlip, a professor of chemical engineering and director of the honors program. "This program reflects the University's increasing commitment to attract and retain talented undergraduates."

The 11 students chosen, selected by a faculty committee from more than 40 who applied, represent the breadth of academic interest, including traditional research disciplines and other creative independent work, study or field work in humanities and fine arts.

"The applications demonstrated the extraordinary range and quality of work being done at the undergraduate level by UConn students," he said.

The project is funded by endowments from UConn Trustee Richard Treibick and the Oaklawn Foundation, supplemented by the University through the Office of Undergraduate Education and Instruction.

To be considered, students had to complete applications that included an abstract of their proposed project, a letter of recommendation from the project supervisor, and references from two other faculty members.

In addition to the $3,000 in initial funding, each student can also apply for up to $1,000 for additional expenses, which may include equipment, travel funds or field work expenses.

The students have the option of using the research in a credit-bearing research-based course such as an independent study class. Each student is required to submit a final report on his or her project in October.

Jim Smith

The students and their projects are: