Community-Based Research
Program Overview

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Community-Based Research (CBR) Fellowships

The APPLES Service-Learning Program and the Carolina Center for Public Service, in partnership with the Office for Undergraduate Research awards up to seven Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) of $3,500 each to support community-based research in either domestic or global communities.

Community-based research is a collaborative enterprise that involves students, community members, and faculty in the design and implementation of research projects of shared interest that address a community need and, ultimately, promote social action and the common good. Community members play an integral role in defining the research question and objectives as well as providing input on project organization and direction. This approach requires a research question that is investigative rather than one that is intended to prove a given agenda. Many community-based research projects take the form of a needs assessment, program evaluation, data analysis, or documentary research. Community-based research promotes the use of various methods of inquiry and dissemination of the findings produced.

For examples of past CBR-SURF projects, please see http://www.unc.edu/apples/students/fellowships/CBR/2008/
fellows2008.htm.

Fellowship Requirements
In addition to project completion and requirements from the Office for Undergraduate Research, CBR-SURFs will be asked to participate in the following opportunities:

  • maintain a journal or blog throughout the summer
  • attend monthly reflection discussions during the fall semester after conducting research
  • present findings at a research symposium or conference or publish findings in a journal
  • submit a one-page, final report summarizing the experience of conducting community-based research

Fellows will be invited to participate in information and recruiting events for other undergraduates considering CBR projects.

Application Information
For specific information on the CBR-SURF requirements, application instructions, selection process and criteria, and the online application, please see the SURF Program page at the Office for Undergraduate Research: http://www.unc.edu/depts/our/students/fellowship_supp/surf.html.

If you want to be considered for a CBR-SURF, please check the box on the SURF application that asks if your project involves community-based research.

Applications due February 25, 2010 by 4:00pm to the Office for Undergraduate Research at 220 Graham Memorial.

For more information, please contact Jenny Huq at APPLES, huq@email.unc.edu or Elaine Tola at Carolina Center for Public Service, etola@email.unc.edu.