Summer Opportunities for Advanced Research (SOAR)

SOAR funds Seaver College undergraduates to conduct research full-time for six weeks during summer 2024 (Monday, May 13 - Friday, June 21, 2024) under the guidance and mentorship of a Seaver College faculty member, and the opportunity to live on-campus while the research is conducted. It is expected that students selected for the award will be engaged full-time on the research project during the research period. In addition to working on their designated research project, students will be required to attend several program events and present their findings at the LMU Undergraduate Symposium and an academic conference in the following academic year.

SOAR provides Seaver College full-time faculty with student research support and funds to cover research expenses for each student mentored. The expense funds will be distributed to a faculty gift account to utilize at the faculty member’s discretion (e.g. research supplies, equipment, conference travel but not personal costs) so that they can continue engaging in their scholarship and research program during the summer months. 

Application Process

Each Spring, there is a process for Seaver College full-time faculty members to apply for the Summer Opportunities for Advanced Research (SOAR) Award.  As part of the application, the Seaver College faculty member proposes a research project & nominates up to 2 undergraduates for the program using the application and submitting before the stated deadline. Ideally, student researchers will be rising Juniors or Seniors who are currently working on a research project with the nominating faculty member or a student who has prior research experience. Students who have previously participated in SOAR are not eligible to participate a second time.