The proposal should be created by the mentoring faculty member, following the instructions below, and then uploaded using the following on-line application form:

Each Proposal shall include:

  • A title and abstract for the project
  • A statement describing the proposed research or creative activity
  •  A work plan or activity timeline.  A typical project’s duration is 4-8 weeks with 6 weeks being the default, though shorter projects will be given consideration.  If additional time is requested beyond 6 weeks, this should be included in the proposal.  Maximum number of weeks for a faculty member is a total of 24 student weeks.
  • A description of student participation, expected learning outcomes, and ways in which results will be measured.
  • A description of how the results of the activity will be disseminated (e.g., presentation by students and faculty at professional conferences, or publication in a journal or conference proceedings, exhibition, Siena’s Summer Research Symposium (required), Siena’s Academic Showcase, etc.)
  • A description of the efforts that will be made to leverage this work to seek external funds and continue/expand this work (if this is appropriate).

Eligibility Information:

  • Faculty receiving funds must be returning as a full-time faculty member in Fall 2024.
  • Students must be returning full or part-time students in good academic standing for Fall 2024.

Stipend Information:

  • Students will receive payment in the form of a stipend as a Research or Project Assistant. The student stipend is taxable to the extent described by the IRS but taxes will not be withheld. Stipends will be paid out over the payroll schedule every two weeks during the time the student is working on the project. Form 1099-MISC will be issued to the student for tax purposes.
  • Student stipends will be $300 - $525 per week based on the time spent on the project.  They will be paid to the student in 2-4 installments, depending on the length of the project.
  • The maximum faculty stipend is $1000. Faculty stipend may be less for projects of shorter duration.
  • A possible budget statement might, for example, request $1000 for the faculty member and $3,150 for a student participating in a 6-week project. Another proposal might request $500 for the faculty member’s time and $1,200 for a student participating in a 4 week project. 

Dates of Significance:

Call for Proposals: January 22nd, 2024

Deadline for Submissions to CURCA: March 15th, 2024

Notification of Award: April 19th, 2024

Summer Scholars Program Dates: May 28th - August 2nd, 2024

Summer Research Symposium: October 2nd, 2024

Faculty Mentor to Submit Report on Accomplishments: October 11th, 2024


Please Note:

  • Maximum stipend per student = $3,150 (student working full time on the project for 6 weeks). If the student is not working full time on the project, please reach out to me to discuss stipend amounts ($300 a week for instance).
  • All projects should have a default time of 6 weeks.  If a faculty member requests more than 6 weeks, please put the justification into the proposal with a plan for 6 weeks, and then what can be accomplished with additional time.  If funds are available, projects may receive funding for the requested additional time.  Projects can be less than 6 weeks as well.
  • Students must work full time on the projects to live in campus housing and are responsible for the cost of housing and board.
  • The student stipends are taxable to the extent described by the IRS.
  • Students will be required to participate in the Summer Research Symposium on October 2nd, 2024 and to complete a reflection paper at the end of the summer research experience. Further, their participation in CURCA seminars during the summer is required. Topics and dates will be available before the beginning of the program.
  • The faculty member must submit by October 11, 2024 a report on what was accomplished with the funds. The College is understandably interested in the impact these funded activities have on our students. Additionally, we compile information on the students and faculty who have been, and will be, involved. In the final report, it is worth noting how involvement in the Summer Scholars Program may have affected their career / education plans.
  • Dana Unser (Director of Grants and Sponsored Research) is available for consultation regarding external funding possibilities.