Caxide Scholars Program

The Caxide (Kah-Sheed) Scholars Program awards funding to support student-designed and student-led projects, including creative endeavors, community service initiatives, entrepreneurial ventures, research projects, and other original and innovative projects.

  • Awards of up to $5,000 per student
  • Open to all second year UConn fulltime undergraduates in all majors at all campuses

Eligibility


The December 2024 application deadline is for summer 2025 funding

 

General Program Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Summer 2025 Caxide Scholars Program students must:

  • Be a full-time UConn undergraduate student in good academic standing and in their second year of college/university study.
    • This includes UConn students and transfer students in their second year of college.
  • Commit to 360 hours of project activities on the Caxide Scholars project during the summer.
  • Students must have a cumulative 3.4 GPA or higher
  • Plan to graduate with a bachelor's degree no earlier than May 2026.
  • Agree to present Caxide Scholars-funded project findings at the Caxide Scholars Symposium and at a future presentation to a relevant audience (a few examples: professional conferences and meetings, constituent and/or community meetings).
  • Arrange appropriate project mentorship for the period of project work by a UConn faculty member or UConn professional staff member.
    • Note: Your arrangements for mentorship must be finalized at the time you apply for Caxide Scholars.

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    Application Deadline

    Application Deadline:
    Summer 2025 Funding: December 16, 2024, 11:59pm

     

     

     

    How to Apply

    Applications for the Caxide Scholars are submitted online. Go to the Caxide Scholars Program Application page to learn more about the application process and to access materials to help you prepare a successful application.

    Information on Letter of Support

    UConn Caxide Scholars applicants are required to have one letter of support submitted on their behalf by their project advisor.

    Each recommender is asked to comment on:

    • The length of time you have known the applicant and in what capacity or circumstances
    • Your knowledge and familiarity with the project proposed
    • Your assessment of the applicant’s motivation, abilities, experience, and/or interests that make him or her well suited for this award and able to complete the project proposed
    • Your assessment of how this award and completing this project might benefit the applicant
    • Your willingness to serve as the project mentor

    Submission Process and Deadlines
    Students will request letters via the online application system (quest.uconn.edu). Once initiated by the student, project advisors will receive an email from the "UConn Quest Portal" (email address is noreply@smapply.io) with instructions for submitting the letter of support. Please follow the link emailed to you to upload your letter of support. If the student has initiated the letter request, but you cannot locate the email, you can still submit your support via the Quest Portal. Go to the main Quest Portal page, click “Log In” in the top right, select “UConn Single Sign-on” and log in with your netID and password; you should then see the recommendation task to complete.

    Letters of support should be submitted by the project advisor by the application deadline:

    • Summer 2025 Funding: Monday, December 16, 2024

    Information for Project Mentors

    Every UConn Caxide Scholar must have appropriate mentorship. The mentor should be a UConn faculty member or UConn professional staff member with relevant and appropriate expertise.

    The form of mentorship will vary with the type of project.

    • For some students, a course may be the best way to structure project mentorship: consider an independent study, research course, practicum, field experience, or internship.
    • For other students, a learning contract or other agreement with the project mentor that outlines learning objectives and a plan for accomplishing those objectives may be appropriate.

    A UConn Caxide Scholar involves four stages of creative thinking, planning, work, and communication that takes place over at least a two-semester period. The student will have made arrangements for mentorship before the UConn Caxide Scholars application is made. The project mentor will write a letter of support in support of the proposed project and mentorship arrangements.

    Students who are selected for funding must complete a series of project development activities to solidify their project plans prior to the disbursement of funds. Project mentors are also asked to review the student's project plans, project timeline, and budget, and provide feedback.

    The UConn Caxide Scholars program is an opportunity for a mentor to make a difference in an undergraduate’s university experience. With encouragement, a student who has the imagination and drive to develop a project will learn by designing and doing. Through engagement with a mentor, such a student will deepen his or her learning and have results to share with relevant audiences.

    Criteria for Review and Selection

    All UConn Caxide Scholar applications will be reviewed and evaluated by UConn committee of enrichment staff staff with relevant expertise. The committee will assess the merits of the proposal and overall application potential.

    Preference will be given to applicants who:

    • Propose creative, innovative, original ideas and a realistic plan for carrying out the proposed project
    • Clearly articulate the origins of the project and that the project is of their own design
    • Present a thoughtful and reasonable outline of the work to be done, a feasible timeline, and a reasonable and justified budget
    • Articulate the impact of the work proposed — both for them as individual learners and for the field — in compelling, but realistic, terms
    • Design project outcomes (products, outputs, reports, presentations, or performances) that will engage or serve an audience that is large or significant
    • Plan to share the results at the Caxide Scholars Symposium and at a future presentation to a relevant audience
    • Have a strong academic record, including a minimum cumulative 3.4 GPA, and other evidence of successful pursuit of their academic passions or interests
    • Explain the significance of the project in furthering their academic goals, future career plans, or personal goals
    • Have identified at least one mentor willing to guide their work

    The review committee uses the Scoring Rubric for Proposals to assess UConn Caxide Scholars applications. Applicants are encouraged to review the appropriate rubric as they draft and revise their application materials to ensure that they meet the criteria associated with strong proposals.

    FAQ

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    Does my project need to be related to my major?
    The work does not need to be tied to your major or minor, but it should be related in some way to your academic goals and/or future plans.


    Can students apply for funding as a group?

    No


    I know I want to do part of my research abroad, but haven’t decided what country I want to travel to; do I need to know this before I apply?

    Yes, you do. Those students proposing international travel as part of their UConn Caxide Scholars application will need to answer additional questions on how they determined that the country (or countries) to which they intend to travel is appropriate for the project, their plans for navigating language barriers (if applicable), and intended travel and living arrangements while in country.


    Can I submit multiple project proposals during the same application period?

    No, you may not. Students are encouraged to focus their time and efforts towards the project they are most committed to working on.


    Does receiving Caxide Scholars affect my eligibility for other OUR awards?

    You may not receive UConn Caxide Scholars and any other OUR award concurrently. If you are offered and accept the UConn Caxide Scholars, you are expected to contact OUR in order to withdraw any other Summer application from consideration.

    Support for project expenses through the UConn Caxide Scholars may impact your eligibility for research supply, travel, and conference presentation funding. Please schedule a meeting with Micah Heumann to discuss your individual circumstances.


    Can I receive Caxide Scholars in addition to other research or project funding?

    Students who have received or who are applying for additional funding (including, but not limited to IBACS summer grants, Presidential Scholars enrichment awards, Environmental and Social Sustainability Small Grants, and departmental undergraduate research/project funding) should meet with Micah Heumann to discuss their specific situation and how funding can be maximized. Caxide Scholars recipients cannot receive additional support from another funding source that would duplicate the financial support.


    Can I start my project work as soon as I’m awarded Caxide Scholars?

    The second stage of the Caxide Scholars program timeline includes the opportunity to refine their project proposal, re-examine their budget and timeline, and prepare to begin their projects. Recipients will also need time to obtain research approvals, if necessary. This is an important opportunity for recipients to reflect on their project proposals and ensure they are fully prepared to engage in the work prior to starting.


    If I'm awarded summer funding does that mean my project needs to be done by the end of the summer? Can I start my project early and/or continue working on it during the academic year?

    The funding period of the summer represents when we expect recipients will engage in the bulk of their project work. UConn Caxide Scholars projects are often part of longer-term involvement in research, creative projects or other endeavors that begin and/or end beyond the funding period. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their plans and timeline with the UConn Caxide Scholars program coordinator prior to applying.


    Can funding be used for unpaid internships or volunteer program fees?

    No. Funding is designated to support student-designed projects. Funds cannot be used to support unpaid internships or fee-based volunteer programs.


    When do Caxide Scholars funds get disbursed?

    Funds will be disbursed to award recipients when the following criteria have been met: research approvals and safety trainings (IRB, IACUC, SCRO, laboratory safety training) have been granted and verification of this authorization has been submitted to OUR (if applicable); and arrangements for project mentorship have been finalized, documented, and submitted to OUR. Disbursements typically begin in mid-to-late April for summer projects.


    Will receiving Caxide Scholars affect my financial aid?

    If you are a financial aid recipient (including tuition waivers, residential assistant waivers, loans, grants, work-study employment), your financial aid package may be revised as a result of this award. If you have questions or concerns about the impact of Caxide Scholars on your financial aid, you are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Financial Aid Services to discuss how this might affect your financial aid package. A point to consider: some budgets reflect your additional expenses; ask if these expenses will increase your financial need.


    Is Caxide Scholars subject to taxation?

    For questions related to taxation, please refer to the UConn Tax & Compliance Office's Student Taxation page and Student Tax FAQs.


    Who can I talk to if I have questions about the UConn Caxide Scholars?

    If you have questions about the UConn Caxide Scholars program or the application process, you can  schedule an appointment with program coordinator Micah Heumann or contact through email at micah.heumann@uconn.edu.

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