Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Scholarships

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs offers three research-based scholarships. All three scholarships have the same deadline and application process.

1. Kell Container Corporation Scholarship

The Kell Container Corporation Scholarship for Student-Faculty Collaborative Research was created and is endowed through the generosity of Kell Container Corporation of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, to offer a premier award for an undergraduate student who is involved in student-faculty research at UW-Eau Claire.

The student awardee receives a $2,800 scholarship, a Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates student stipend and project expense funds. The faculty mentor also receives a summer stipend during the project period (if not already awarded one). 

The recipient will be an enrolled undergraduate student with junior or senior standing at UW-Eau Claire during the award period. The recipient will have conducted outstanding collaborative research or demonstrated the potential for outstanding undergraduate research. Students from all disciplines may apply.

2023 Winner

Janeè Schrader was the recipient of the 2023 Kell Corporation Scholarship for her work entitled “A Combinatorial Approach to Constructing 3-Manifolds” alongside Dr. Carolyn Otto. Her research aimed to classify families of manifolds based on their unique characteristics. The research explored different combinatorial methodologies in order to create distinct properties and dimensions.

2022 Winner

Leandra O’Connell was awarded the 2022 Kell Container Scholarship for her work entitled “Patterns of Hybridization in the Asteraceae Family Detected Through Systematic Review of the Primary Literature”. Alongside Dr. Nora Mitchell, she conducted research regarding the hybridization of the largest flowering species, Asteraceae. Mapping was utilized in order to understand the extent of hybridization’s role in creating species diversity and origins of new species.

2. James R. Larson + Vicki Lord Larson Undergraduate Research Fellowship

The James R. Larson and Vicki Lord Larson Undergraduate Research Fellowships were created and endowed through the generosity of Vicki Lord Larson, UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Emerita. A scholar herself, Dr. Larson's goal is to support student researchers and their faculty mentors through these awards.

The student awardee receives a $2,500 scholarship, a Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates student stipend and project expense funds. The faculty mentor also receives a summer stipend during the project period (if not already awarded one).

The recipient will be an enrolled undergraduate student with junior or senior standing at UW-Eau Claire during the award period. The recipient will have conducted outstanding collaborative research or demonstrated the potential for outstanding undergraduate research. Students from all disciplines may apply. A secondary goal of the donor is to expand the disciplinary background of those receiving research awards. Therefore, the five awards will be made to one science/math student and one non-science student in the College of Arts and Sciences, and one student in each of the other three colleges. 

2023 winners:

College of Nursing Recipient 

Christina Forman was the recipient of the 2023-24 James R. Larson and Vicki Lord Larson College of Nursing fellowship for her work entitled “Preventing NicoTEEN Addiction in Adolescents: Educating Adults Serving Youth” alongside Dr. Rachel Pierce. Her research focused on the effectiveness of presentations on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) in the education of parents and other adults serving youth to promote education and help prevent tobacco and nicotine use among youth.

College of Business Recipient

Tingkai Bian was the recipient of the 2023-24 James R. Larson and Vicki Lord Larson College of Business for his research entitled “Cybersecurity Disclosure and Internal Control Deficiencies” alongside Dr. Jidong Zhang. The research examined how internal control deficiencies are related to cybersecurity disclosures and suggested ways for public companies to enhance internal control systems and avoid cybersecurity issues.

College of Arts and Sciences: Non-STEM Recipient

Nevaeh Brewer was the recipient of the 2023-24 James R. Larson and Vicki Lord Larson College of Arts and Sciences: Non-STEM fellowship for their research “Challenges Facing Non-Profit Organizations in Eau Claire, Wisconsin” with their mentor Dr. Pam Forman. Their research focused on assisting with policymaking for the city of Eau Claire by examining Non-Profit Organizations serving marginalized groups. The data highlights the impact of Covid-19 and provides complex equity narratives to help the city improve the lives of citizens.

College of Arts and Sciences: STEM Recipient

Evan Coursin was the recipient of the 2023-24 James R. Larson and Vicki Lord Larson College of Arts and Sciences: STEM fellowship for his research “Analysis of Filament Homogeneity in Bi-2212 Wires” alongside Dr. Matt Jewell. His research aimed to provide wire manufacturers with design guidance which will improve the ability of wires 1-5 km in length to carry a sustained superconducting electric current and decrease production cost of the wires.

College of Education and Human Sciences Recipient

John Zook was the recipient of the 2023-24 James R. Larson and Vicki Lord Larson for his research entitled “SLP Perceptions of Their Role in Identity Development” alongside mentor Dr. Rebecca Jarzynski. His research focused on the role school-based Speech Language Pathologists play in identity development.

3. Outstanding Undergraduate Research Project Award

This scholarship was created and is endowed through the generosity of Marilyn Ohm-Smith.

The student awardee receives a $2,500 scholarship, a Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates student stipend and project expense funds. The faculty mentor also receives a summer stipend during the project period (if not already awarded one).

The recipient will be an enrolled undergraduate student with junior or senior standing at UW-Eau Claire during the award period. The recipient will have conducted outstanding collaborative research or demonstrated the potential for outstanding undergraduate research. Only open to students majoring in chemistry, biology, or nursing.

2023 Winner

Jenna Trzebiatowski received the 2023 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Project Award for her research entitled “Molecular Spectroscopy and Organic Synthesis Collaboration” with faculty mentors Dr. Stephen Drucker and Dr. Jennifer Dahl. Jenna explored the the synthesis of an organometallic-mediated α-pyrone, with the intention of allowing the Drucker research team to examine the distinct responses of α-pyrone and y-pyrone molecules to photoexcitation.

2022 Winner

Grace Beebe was awarded the 2022 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Project award for her collaboration with Dr. Der-Fa Lu on research entitled “The Effect of Daily Mindfulness with College Students Vaping Behaviors”. She explored the behaviors and motivations of UWEC students who vape. Her research is focused on uncovering the root causes of vaping and aims to provide relaxation techniques to help students quit vaping and promote their overall well-being in college.

Application Deadline for all ORSP Scholarships: February 10.

*If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date will be extended to the following Monday.

Application Process for all ORSP Student Scholarships

The scholarship application is integrated into the Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates eform (since each scholarship comes with an SREU). In addition to the materials needed for the Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates application, scholarship applicants will also need to submit:

• Student statement of the impact or expected impact of their undergraduate research experiences (max. 3 double-spaced pages)
• Student resume, including expected date of graduation
• Faculty mentor letter of recommendation

Faculty mentors are strongly encouraged to mentor students in preparing these materials. For students, the Center for Writing Excellence can help at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming and outlining to organizing arguments and polishing claims.

Apply Here