I can tell you from personal experience that there is no better way to enrich your education or explore future career paths than by working with a faculty member who is actively engaged in research.
Dr. Sarita Soni, vice provost for research, professor of optometry, and former co-director of the Borish Center for Opthalmic Research.
SELECTION
Do I qualify for the Cox Research Scholars Program (CRSP) award?
How are Cox Research Scholars (CRS) selected?
What if I was admitted to IUB and didn't receive the Selective Scholarship Application (SSA)?
How many CRS are selected each year?
Does the program require that I have prior research experience?
Can any major or major's work with this award?
RESEARCH
How much time is required to work on a research project?
How am I paired with a faculty researcher/mentor?
What if my interests change or I want to work with a different faculty researcher/mentor?
AWARDING
What are the renewal criteria for the CRSP award?
Can I accept other awards outside of IU?
OVERSEAS STUDY
How would I fulfill the research component of my award when I am overseas?
Am I able to get funding for summer classes or summer overseas study?
Selection
Do I qualify for the Cox Research Scholars Program (CRSP) award?
You must be an incoming freshman and Indiana resident with a minimum SAT score of 1350 (critical reading and math) OR minimum ACT composite score of 31 AND rank in the top 5% of your high school graduating class OR have a cumulative GPA of 3.95 or above. However, students who will be participating in varsity athletics at IUB are not eligible to be considered for this award.
How are Cox Research Scholars (CRS) selected?
Based on your application for admission to IU Bloomington, qualified students
will be sent the Selective Scholarship Application (SSA), which they should
complete and return, making sure to indicate your interest in the CRSP. Those
applications will be reviewed to assemble a diverse class of potential Research
Scholars. Individuals selected from the SSA will be sent an invitation from the
Provost to consider this prestigious award.
What if I was admitted to IUB and didn't receive the Selective Scholarship Application (SSA)?
SSAs are only sent to qualified students based on a minimum 1350 SAT (critical reading and math) OR 31 ACT composite score AND who rank in the top 5% of their high school graduating class OR have a cumulative GPA of 3.95 or above. If you are not currently eligible you may update the information in your application for admission until December 18th by contacting the Office of Admissions; and if you do become eligible you will be considered.
How many CRS are selected each year?
A maximum of 40.
Does the program require that I have prior research experience?
No, but you must have a strong desire to work with research faculty.
Research
Why do research?
Student researchers learn in the best way possible: through direct experience. Research expands students' knowledge and nourishes creativity, curiosity, vision, dedication, imagination, and other characteristics that contribute to success in school and in life.
Research Scholars collaborate with faculty members and graduate students who are leaders in their fields, developing a network of teachers and colleagues that they can call on throughout their careers. Their research distinguishes them from other students when applying for jobs and advanced study.
How much time is required to work on a research project?
Students are expected to work 8-10 hours per week during the academic year.
They will not be required to keep time sheets, and will schedule their work time
with their faculty researcher/mentor.
How am I paired with a faculty researcher/mentor?
Program Administrator, Heidi Schulz works individually with each selected
student to find a faculty researcher/mentor who best fits their interest area or
major.
What if my interests change or I want to work with a different faculty researcher/mentor?
Although it is in the best interest of the student and faculty researcher/mentor
to engage in a long-term project, we recognize that students interests do change
over time. In this instance, the Program Administrator will help arrange a
transition.
Can any major or major's work with this award?
Yes! The students selected for the CRSP award may choose any major (or
majors) offered at IU. Student's research projects are often related to their majors.
Past scholars have majored in accounting, biology, international studies,
journalism, theatre and drama, and many other subjects.
Awarding
What are the renewal criteria for the CRSP award?
The scholarship is renewable for a maximum of four years (excluding
summers) or until the student receives his or her first bachelor's degree,
whichever comes first. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5
and receive a positive review from their faculty researcher/mentor. In addition,
the CRS will be asked to submit a short self-evaluation each semester.
I have been offered other awards at Indiana University Bloomington in addition to the CRSP award. Can I accept all of them?
No, the CRSP award supersedes all other IUB awards. Since the CRSP is a full
award covering tuition and fees, room and board, as well as a stipend for your
research work, most educational expenses are covered and therefore you are not
eligible for money in excess of the cost of attendance.
Can I accept other awards outside of IU?
You can accept awards independent from IU as long as they are not designated
for items already covered. For example, if you are awarded a prize that states
"for tuition," you cannot accept that award since the CRSP already covers tuition.
If the outside award is undesignated, you are allowed to accept it.
What about National Merit?
You can accept the National Merit award in addition to the CRSP award.
What if I decide that I am no longer interested in research and no longer want to be a part of the RSP? Am I allowed to have the other scholarships IU previously offered to me?
Unfortunately, no. Those scholarships have already been awarded to other
students. Depending on your class standing, you are eligible to compete for other
scholarships that are available to you.
Overseas STUDY
Can I study abroad?
Absolutely!
How would I fulfill the research component of my award when I am overseas?
Our faculty have colleagues and affiliations from all over the world. You may
be able to work with a colleague in another country who is known by your faculty
researcher/ mentor or the two of you may choose to work on a project in which
you are able to continue your work together over email. This will be decided
between you and your mentor.
Am I able to get funding for summer classes or summer overseas study?
Since the CRSP does not cover summers, you are able to apply for scholarships
or awards that apply during the summer only.
