CURE Program

Swenson Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience

The Swenson CURE Program supports faculty in developing and implementing Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences that integrate authentic research into regular coursework. Join a collaborative community of colleagues and receive the funding, time, and support you need to make course-based research sustainable and impactful.

What Is Course-Based Undergraduate Research?

Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) embed authentic research into regular courses, allowing entire classes of students to engage in original investigations that contribute to scientific or scholarly knowledge. Unlike traditional research apprenticeships, CUREs can reach a broader range of students and are particularly valuable for those balancing work or caregiving responsibilities who can’t devote out-of-class time to research opportunities.

CUREs typically include five key elements:

• Use of scientific or scholarly practices (e.g., asking questions, designing methods, collecting and analyzing data, communicating findings). 
• Discovery (students generate new knowledge or address unknown questions)
• Broader Relvance (the work has meaning beyond the classroom, to the discipline, community, or real-world application). 
• Collaboration among students.
• Iteration (opportunities for students to revise their work, troubleshoot, and refine approaches).

Why Participate?

Research shows that CUREs increase student persistence, improve graduate school interest, and promote more equitable access to research experiences. At Cal Lutheran, students who engage in research have significantly higher GPAs and are more likely to pursue science-related careers and graduate programs.

 

While many faculty recognize the value of course-based research, developing and sustaining these experiences often requires more time and resources than individual faculty can manage alone.

 

This program removes those barriers by providing dedicated funding, collaborative support, and the structure needed to implement high-quality CUREs without overwhelming your schedule or budget.

What You'll Receive

Faculty Learning Circle (FLC) Participation

Join 6-8 colleagues from across disciplines in a semester-long learning community. Meet bi-weekly during Spring 2026, followed by two full-day summer workshops to finalize your course design.

$5,000 Total Faculty Stipend

• $2,500 upon completion of initial deliverables
• $2,500 after teaching the first iteration of your CURE course and submitting evaluation materials

Up to $5,000 in Materials Funding

Cover the increased costs of hands-on, experiential learning including lab materials, disposables, software licenses, small equipment, fieldwork expenses, and research site access (Avg of $1500 per faculty in the FLC).

Poster Printing Support

Your students can present their research at Cal Lutheran's Festival of Scholars with funded poster printing (approximately $45 per poster).

Access to Equipment Funding

Departments can apply for one-time equipment purchases over $5,000 to support course-based research (must demonstrate 75% use in CURE courses).

Professional Development & Networking

• Connections to national CURE networks (CUREnet, Genomics Education Partnership, Small World Initiative)
• Guest speakers from industry and other institutions
• Access to current research and best practices
• Collaborative course design support

What You'll Develop

Through the Faculty Learning Circle, you'll create:

1. A discipline-specific 3-4 pg literature review on CURE design and impact
2. Clear student learning outcomes that reflect core CURE characteristics
3. A long-term implementation and sustainability plan with assessment strategies
4. Contributions to a shared repository of materials and tools for future cohorts
5. A finalized course syllabus ready for implementation

Who Should Apply?

We welcome faculty from all disciplines who are:

• Interested in integrating research into their undergraduate courses
• Committed to expanding research access to more students
• Ready to collaborate with colleagues across campus
• Willing to engage with research on effective CURE design
• Able to commit to bi-weekly meetings in Spring 2026 and summer workshops

Whether you're already experimenting with course-based research or entirely new to this approach, we encourage you to apply.

Program Timeline

Now - December 2025: Applications Open for First Cohort

Applications are being accepted for the first Faculty Learning Circle cohort. We're looking for 6-8 faculty members from diverse disciplines who are interested in developing or enhancing a CURE.

Spring 2026: Faculty Learning Circle Meets

Bi-weekly meetings throughout the semester. Develop your CURE curriculum, engage with research literature, connect with national networks, and collaborate with colleagues.

Summer 2026: Intensive Workshops

Two full-day workshops to finalize course planning and prepare for implementation.

Fall 2026 and Spring 2027: Course Implementation

Teach your CURE course with ongoing support and access to materials funding.

Spring 2027: Second Cohort Begins

A second Faculty Learning Circle will launch, expanding the program to more disciplines and faculty.

How to Apply

Applications for the first cohort are being accepted now through December 15, 2025.

The application includes:

• A brief description of the course you plan to develop as a CURE
• Your experience with or interest in course-based research
• Department Chair/Program Director approval

Application

Questions?

Contact Andrea Sell, Ph.D., Director of Research Development and Support