Events

Finding a good fit mentor is an important step in your undergraduate research journey. Come learn about how CURF can help you identify, contact, and connect with potential faculty mentors.

CURF’s Fall Expo is an exciting celebration of undergraduate research. Over 350 undergraduates are eager to share their research with you. Enjoy learning about the array of opportunities embraced by students at Penn. Stop by any time!

First-, second-, and third-year students are invited to join us to learn about the Truman Scholarship! The Truman Scholarship awards merit-based $30,000 scholarships to college juniors who are US citizens/nationals, who plan to pursue careers in government or in public service (broadly defined), and who wish to attend graduate or professional school to help prepare for their careers. Applicants should be “change agents,” with a demonstrated passion for improving the ways that government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or educational institutions serve the public.

Interested in applying for independent research funding from CURF this fall? Come learn how you can better position yourself to be a competitive applicant for the College Alumni Society Research Grant or Vagelos Undergraduate Research Grant. This workshop will cover common elements of grant applications, tips for writing a strong research proposal and budget, and common mistakes to avoid. Even if you are not planning to apply for a grant this semester, this is a great opportunity to start learning about the CURF grants and the skills that will make you a stronger writer and communicator of your research!

Join us in the CURF office on September 22 to meet a representative from the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans. This is a fellowship opportunity that provides merit-based graduate study funding for New Americans, immigrants, and children of immigrants who are poised to make significant contributions to US culture, society, and academia.

Undergraduate students applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) are invited to participate in this interactive writing workshop led by the Science Outreach Initiative and CURF. You will learn basic grant writing skills, information about writing for the GRFP specifically, and have the opportunity to workshop your ideas for your proposal. Students will leave knowing what characteristics the NSF is looking for and how to craft a narrative of their personal experiences that highlights those characteristics. Session participants will also receive instructions on how to get one-on-one essay feedback before NSF deadlines.

Space is limited, so make sure to register early.

The Goldwater Foundation awards undergraduate scholarships to sophomores and juniors who have outstanding potential, an exceptional academic record with research experience, and intend to earn a PhD or Master's degree in a STEM field pursuing a research career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. Each scholarship provides up to a maximum of $7,500 annually for up to two years of undergraduate study.

Join us to learn more about this great opportunity!

Do you have work-study funding and an interest in research? Join CURF staff and Research Peer Advisors to learn about how to utilize work study to engage in undergraduate research!

Interested in pursuing a graduate degree in the UK? Join a representative from the office of Student Admissions & Access at the University of Cambridge for a presentation on all things Cambridge, like:

• What is it like to study at Cambridge?
• What grades do you need?
• How do you apply?
• Which programs do you offer?
• How much does it cost?