CAURS – Chemistry of Life Processes Institute

CAURS AWARD

Chicago Area undergraduate research symposium award

Program dates: November 2023 – June 2024

Application is now closed. Check back this fall for more information.

Applications and letters of recommendation should be emailed to Penelope Johnson at penelope.johnson@northwestern.edu

The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute invites Northwestern undergraduates to apply for a $1,000 grant designed to provide a student, or team of students, with support for interdisciplinary research with a CLP faculty member. The funds are designated for the purchase of scientific supplies, and registration and travel costs to the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium (CAURS) in April 2025.

For all questions, please contact penelope.johnson@northwestern.edu

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be Northwestern undergraduates. Research must be conducted with a CLP faculty member. Preference is given to rising juniors and seniors. Students must conduct their research with a CLP faculty member. Previous lab experience is suggested. Applicants will be selected based upon their academic achievements and scientific interests. CLP funds one student each year.

HOW TO APPLY

Completed application form. Click here to download the form.

A one-page, single-sided proposal describing the research you would conduct if selected for this program. Include title of project centered at top of the page. Use a standard 10 to 12 point font. A second page is allowed for figures and/or references.

A letter of recommendation from a CLP faculty member.

Applications and letters of recommendation should be emailed to Penelope Johnson at penelope.johnson@northwestern.edu

HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PROPOSAL

Those in a lab: Work with your PI for his/her/their assistance with developing a proposal and to ask for a letter of recommendation.

Those who are looking to join a lab: Once you have an idea of whose lab you would like to join, reach out to the faculty member to set up a meeting. If possible, plan to do this at least four weeks before the application due date. Additionally, Northwestern’s Office for Undergraduate Research has a great website with resources on how to find a lab, develop a project, and working with faculty. https://undergradresearch.northwestern.edu/overview/

Projects may include research in the following areas:

Chemistry
Organic Synthesis
Inorganic Synthesis
Spectroscopy
Polymer Chemistry
Biochemistry
Catalysis
Theory
Chemical Engineering
Polymer
Chemistry
Polymer Physics
Catalysis
Biochemical Engineering
Biomaterials
Modeling and Simulation
Materials Science
Metals
Biomaterials
Electronic Materials
Ceramics
Polymers
Computational
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Structural Biology
Cell and Molecular Biology
Biophysics
Hormone Action
and Signal Transduction
Genetics and Developmental Biology
Physics
Experimental Condensed Matter
Theoretical Condensed Matter
Lasers

Projects can include use of the following facilities:

EXPECTATIONS

The research award allows the student to participate in research independent of the regular curriculum for two+ quarters. Students are required to:

Perform two+ quarters of research
Present a research poster or give an oral presentation at the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium held in
April 2025.

Students are highly encouraged to actively participate in: