The National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), established in 1987, is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all fields of study by sponsoring an annual conference for students. Unlike meetings of academic professional organizations, this gathering of young scholars welcomes presenters from all institutions of higher learning and from all corners of the academic curriculum. Through this annual conference, NCUR creates a unique environment for the celebration and promotion of undergraduate student achievement, provides models of exemplary research and scholarship, and helps to improve the state of undergraduate education. In addition to providing a forum for student presentations and performances through its annual conference, NCUR also

• Organizes workshops for faculty and administrators who support undergraduate research and creative activity on campuses across the country
• Collaborates with other national organizations in support of undergraduate research and the improvement of undergraduate education
• Administers the NCUR/Lancy initiative which awards grants to support summer interdisciplinary undergraduate research programs
• Publishes a proceedings of the conference
• Sponsors, with the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) and annual Institue for Undergraduate Research Program Directors
• Sponsors special projects on issues relating to the goals of the organization

NCUR/LANCY INITIATIVE

The Board of Governors of the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) and the Trustees of the Alice and Leslie E. Lancy Foundation have provided grants to colleges and universities throughout the country since 1999 to support the development of interdisciplinary undergraduate research programs.

The program focus is on helping to build communities of student and faculty scholars spanning the academic disciplines but working on a unifying theme. An institution that receives an NCUR/Lancy award has a cadre of faculty with the time, energy, and interest to supervise six to ten undergraduates for a period of eight to ten weeks during the summer, and an administrative support structure that nurtures this activity. Scholars supported by an NCUR/Lancy award present their work at the annual NCUR conference. The program aspires to catalyze efforts of faculty, administrators and development officers to build a sustainable program.

Both NCUR and the Lancy Foundation are committed to the notion that a broad interdisciplinary perspective is vital for an educated member of contemporary society. Thus, NCUR/Lancy summer support is available to students majoring in any discipline, and proposals must stipulate how interdisciplinary representation in the sciences, humanities, arts, and social sciences will be achieved.

Website: http://www.ncur.org/aboutNCUR.htm