I wrote about this in the past about creating undergraduate research at your college, but I want to encourage you to consider trying this next year. Undergraduate research helps your students explore deeper ideas in mathematics and lets you see mathematics in a new light. I know that thinking you can get your students involved in undergraduate research is a scary thought. I also know that you don't have a great deal of time for creating this research for your students. However, it is really rewarding and there is an opportunity from the Center for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics (CURM) to apply for minigrants to learn how to create undergraduate research for your students. The good news is that CURM provides money for a course release and travel to a summer workshop to train how to understand what undergraduate research can be for your students and how to mentor your students through the process. The due date for minigrants is December 15, 2025. You aren't creating this experience for your students alone. You will be part of a team of a faculty member from a two-year college and one from a four-year college. Your partner can be a faculty member can be someone from a transfer institution, an institution near you, someone you know from across the country, or someone you have yet to meet. Just make sure that your team is a two-year faculty member and a four-year faculty member. I can help you find someone also.
To help you with the application process there are two office hours planned in the next few weeks. They are :
- November 10, 3-4 PM ET, zoom link, Meeting ID: 833 1879 2180, Passcode: 481731
- December 3, 2-3 PM ET, zoom link, Meeting ID: 857 5549 6861, Passcode: knockknock
As I mentioned, there is a summer workshop to help you as you plan this experience. The Summer workshop in 2026 will be in New Orleans on June 14-18, 2026.
More information is on the CURM website.
I hope you apply for this years minigrant. I would love to help you create this important experience for your students and yourself. It is a very rewarding experience to be part of this. Please take this opportunity. There is still time. Remember the due date is December 15, 2025.
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Kathryn Kozak
Coconino Community College
Flagstaff, AZ
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