The CUNY Research Scholars Program at Queensborough Community College

CRSP Orientation welcoming 2023-24 scholars and mentors.

About CRSP

The CUNY Research Scholars Program provides funding to facilitate laboratory and other research experiences for associate degree students over a one-year period. The goal of the program is to encourage undergraduate participation in authentic research and to increase persistence in STEM and Social Science disciplines. 

In 2024-25, the CUNY Research Scholars Program at QCC will support 20 students and their faculty mentors.

CRSP scholars are expected to participate in the laboratory (or computer laboratory) experience for one full year and complete at least 320 hours of research/independent study. In addition to participating in research, student interns are expected to attend bi-weekly workshops on Responsible Conduct in Research, laboratory safety, research/scientific careers, presentation skills, and other professional development topics. Student interns are also expected to present a poster/talk at the college level in the fall and spring semesters. 

Each year, the program culminates in a CUNY-wide symposium where students display and present their work to peers and mentors.

Student interns who do not complete the entire program and attend the program events will not qualify for the entire stipend.

Student Eligibility

Full-time associate degree students at any stage in their academic career can participate in research projects in the STEM and Social Science disciplines. Student researchers must have a minimum GPA of 2.7 and commit to being an active on-campus participant in the program at QCC for one full academic year. Program eligibility will be verified at the beginning of each semester.

Student Support

Students are awarded a $5,000 stipend (paid in installments), conduct 320-400 hours of faculty-mentored research, and participate in structured activities on campus, including sessions on laboratory safety, library research, public speaking, resume development, and poster preparation.

Faculty Eligibility and Support

The program also provides compensation for faculty mentors in the amount of $1,000 per student mentee. This amount is for one full academic year of the program. Faculty are funded to mentor or co-mentor a maximum of two students. Mentors commit to meeting regularly with their student researcher, overseeing their research, and fostering the student’s interest in their academic field.

Faculty mentors (and co-mentors, if applicable) should be QCC faculty members.

Identifying CRSP Mentors/Mentees and Research Projects

Usually, prospective CRSP projects are initiated by STEM and Social Sciences faculty members, who identify and recruit promising, full-time QCC students to work on research projects with them for the academic year.

Students who would like to apply to CRSP are also encouraged to approach a QCC faculty member they know and have a positive working relationship with, and inquire about possible mentorship. CRSP faculty mentors should be QCC faculty members in STEM fields or the Social Sciences.

CRSP research projects are typically based on a faculty member's ongoing research, new research of the student's design (usually in Social Sciences), or something similar.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2024-2025 cycle of the program are now closed. We will begin accepting applications for the 2025-2026 cohort in August 2025.

For more information contact:

Dr. Regina Sullivan, Rsullivan@qcc.cuny.edu
CRSP Director for 2024-2025