Online exclusive: Annual Undergraduate Research Conference accepting applications

Portland State will be accepting applications for the eighth annual Undergraduate Research Conference until May 2. The conference provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to showcase their research and hear feedback from the university community.

Interested applicants are required to complete a Ronald E. McNair Scholars application, including an essay, a copy of tax forms from 2010, a transcript and three reference letters.

According to Melissa Pirie, senior inquiry coordinator with the PSU University Studies program, there are no winners or losers at the conference.

“Each presenter receives a certificate and an opportunity to list this experience on their CV or resume,” Pirie said. “The goal of the conference is to provide the public a venue for undergraduates to present any ongoing research projects or activities to our student body and faculty,” Pirie said.

Students that participate can expect to do either a 10-minute oral presentation or a half-hour poster presentation. The details are yet to be determined.

In addition, presenters are offered a summer research internship, faculty mentoring and a $2,800 stipend.

The McNair Scholars program works with undergraduate students who want to pursue PhD degrees. Participants publish their work in the McNair journal.

The program also seeks faculty, graduate students, prior scholars or presenters to moderate the sessions, according to Pirie.

Established in 1986 by the U.S. Department of Education and named in honor of astronaut Ronald E. McNair, the program is funded by a $924,000 government grant and institutional cost-share funds. ?