The CUNY Research Scholars Program at Queensborough Community College

QCC CRSP students and faculty mentors at CUNY-wide symposium, July 2025.

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, particularly in STEM disciplines. 

In 2025-26, the CUNY Research Scholars Program at QCC is supporting around 20 students and their faculty mentors.

CRSP scholars are expected to participate in the laboratory (or other hands-on research) experience for one full year and complete approximately 400 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. CRSP scholars also share their research through poster and oral presentations 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 CRSP research projects. Student applicants must be currently registered QCC students, 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. Additionally, they should be available to attend on-campus workshops on Wednesdays during common hour.

Program eligibility will be verified at the beginning of each semester.

Student Support

Students are awarded funding of $5,000 (paid in installments), conduct 320-400 hours of faculty-mentored research, and participate in structured activities on campus.

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 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. Mentors should be QCC faculty members.

CRSP research projects are typically based on a faculty member's ongoing research, new research of the student's design, or something similar.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2025-2026 cycle of the program have now closed. 

For more information contact:

Dr. Regina Sullivan, Rsullivan@qcc.cuny.edu
CRSP Director for 2025-2026