In cooperation with the Faculty Senate Grants and Research Team (G&R Team), the Office of Research & Graduate Studies (ORGS) is pleased to announce the first Multi-Disciplinary Research Initiative (MDRI) at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). This initiative replaces the Internal Grant Program.

To reflect the national trend, both in research and graduate studies, the FGCU MDRI is created to promote and support inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary research and scholarly activities among different disciplines. The MDRI is competitive; it aims at forming inter-/multi-disciplinary research teams to secure extramural research grants and contracts. The MDRI provides seed money (up to $15,000 per award) for innovative research and scholarly activities that crosses the boundaries of disciplines, departments, schools, and/or colleges. Upon recommendations from the G&R Team, the Associate Vice President for Research & Dean of Graduate Studies (AVPR/DGS) will make the final funding decision based on the availability of funds.

Please contact the AVPR/DGS (x7020 or tcyih@fgcu.edu ) with inquiries. You may also contact the G&R Team representative from your academic unit (listed below) if you have questions.

The mission of the Council on Undergraduate Research is to support and promote high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship.

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) and its affiliated colleges, universities, and individuals share a focus on providing undergraduate research opportunities for faculty and students at predominantly undergraduate institutions. CUR believes that faculty members enhance their teaching and contribution to society by remaining active in research and by involving undergraduates in research. CUR’s leadership works with agencies and foundations to enhance research opportunities for faculty and students. CUR provides support for faculty development. Our publications and outreach activities are designed to share successful models and strategies for establishing and institutionalizing undergraduate research programs. We assist administrators and faculty members in improving and assessing the research environment at their institutions. CUR also provides information on the importance of undergraduate research to state legislatures, private foundations, government agencies, and the U.S. Congress. CUR welcomes faculty and administrators from all academic institutions. The primary advocacy is in support of faculty and students at predominantly undergraduate institutions. CUR achieves this vision through efforts of its membership as organized in a divisional structure that includes biology, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics and computer science, physics and astronomy, psychology, social sciences, and an at-large division that serves administrators and other disciplines.

The Council on Undergraduate Research has initiated a Registry of Undergraduate Researchers. The purpose of this registry is to facilitate matchmaking between undergraduates with research experience and a desire to pursue an advanced degree, and graduate schools seeking high quality students who are well prepared for research. Currently the Registry is open to students and graduate schools/employers in the fields of Astronomy, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Geosciences, Engineering, Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology/Archaeology. The registry is free of charge to students and is accessed at http://www.cur.org/about.html We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.