Introduction

BCLA ASPIRE: Advanced Summer Program for Internships and Research Experience 

The overall goal of the BCLA ASPIRE is to increase opportunities for BCLA continuing undergraduate students to participate in faculty-mentor advanced experience in research and creative arts. Run through the Office of Research & Creative Arts, ASPIRE is an eight-week summer program held during Summer Session I (plus two weeks remotely) designed to support BLCA students and their faculty mentors advance research and creative work during the summer. ASPIRE provides administrative and financial support, academic programming, and on-campus housing opportunities for students. Preference is given to students that have prior research and/or creative experience, such as participation in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) and have potential for significant productivity during the eight-week period of the program.

Details and Award

Award

Students will hold the title of BCLA Fellow for Liberal Arts and Enrichment and will be awarded up to a $3,000 research award with the expectation of dedicating 35 hours/week towards their research or creative work under the guidance and mentorship of a BCLA faculty member. If Housing is elected and available, the summer research award is $2,500 with an additional stipend towards on-campus housing (if available, on-campus stipends toward housing typically cover the cost of a 2 person/room charge, for the duration of six-weeks of ASPIRE). On Campus Housing will be available for summer 2026 on a limited basis and is not guaranteed.

BCLA full-time faculty (term, clinical, tenure-track, or tenured) will receive student research or creative support and $1,200 in research expenses per student mentored. These 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, research and creative work during the summer months.    

Program Expectations

It is expected that students selected for the award will be engaged full-time (average of 35 hours per week) on the research or creative project during the program period. Thus, any other commitments and obligations that the student may want to pursue during the program (e.g., enrollment in a summer course) will be limited and need to be approved by the faculty research mentor listed on the ASPIRE student application as well as the ORCA representative. In addition to working on their designated research or creative project, students will be required to participate in program activities, fill out the required program surveys, engage in the end of program BCLA salon to discuss their work during the eight weeks, and to present their work at the LMU Undergraduate Research Symposium in the following academic year.       

Faculty mentors are expected to directly mentor and supervise students during the entire program period and to participate in the end of program salon.     

The deadline for submission of both parts of the application is Monday, March 9, 2026. Selection and notifications will be sent out to ASPIRE applicants prior to the SURP Application Deadline.    

Application Process

Applying for ASPIRE is a two-step process that begins with the faculty:

1.  A BCLA full-time faculty member submits a brief proposal for a research or creative project they would like to continue or complete during ASPIRE and nominates up to two undergraduates they would like to mentor for the program. This application is completed through the ORCA website. Ideally, students will be rising Juniors or Seniors who are currently working on a research or creative project or have prior research experience, such as SURP. Students who have previously participated in ASPIRE are not eligible to participate a second time.     

2.  Upon nomination, nominated students receive a link to complete the student portion of the proposal.

BCLA Faculty should submit their application by Friday, February 27, 2026. 

Students should submit their sections of the proposal by Monday, March 9, 2026.

Selection Process 

Successful award recipients will be selected by the BCLA Dean’s Office in consultation with the Office of Research & Creative Arts. 

Questions about BCLA ASPIRE should be directed to Carina Flores, Associate Director of ORCA at carina.flores@lmu.edu. 

What is SURP? 

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) provides financial support for students wishing to engage in faculty guided research opportunities and creative activity during the summer for six weeks. Awards are given on a competitive basis. For details on the program, please visit our website: lmu.edu/orca 

What are the benefits of participating in SURP? 

Participation in SURP provides students with insight into the research process. Further, it provides students an academic alternative to nonacademic summer employment. 

Who can apply? 

Current Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors across all majors are eligible to apply. Students must be a currently enrolled LMU undergraduate student who will continue to be enrolled in the fall semester. 

How do I apply? 

Students must submit a complete application (see below). Your faculty mentor must submit a separate Faculty Endorsement Form for your application to be complete. Please visit the SURP page on lmu.edu/orca for details on this requirement. 

What happens upon acceptance into SURP? 

Upon acceptance and agreement to participate, students will be awarded a research stipend for the six-week summer term (May 18, 2026 to June 26, 2026). Students will complete paperwork after being selected for a research project, as well as sign a SURP agreement contract. 

Students that are accepted into the program also have the option to apply to live on campus with a stipend towards housing costs. Housing for SURP is very competitive; spaces are limited and students that are first timers to SURP will be given priority. Housing is not automatically offered to all SURP participants. The stipend towards housing will be credited to your account and is in addition to your research award. Please note that if you receive a grant towards housing your research award will be reduced to $1,500 to offset the cost of housing.

SURP provides funding for the student’s research hours and a housing stipend. The program does not cover research expenses (supplies, travel, etc.) 

*Please note that unless there is an extenuating circumstance that receives prior approval from ORCA, all SURP students who receive housing will be automatically be placed in the SURP-living learning community. 

All materials listed below should be prepared before beginning the online application process. Please note, you may stop and save your application, to continue at a later time. Please make sure all the answers are correct and final before submitting the application. 

Please remember to have the following components ready before you apply: 

• Applicant Information 
• Faculty Mentor Information 
• Project Title 
• Project Description and Research Goals. Applicants must provide a description of her/his research proposal. The research project’s overall objectives and specific goals must be included. 
• Methodology of Research. Applicants must clearly state how she/he plans to accomplish the goals listed in the project description, identifying the specific steps necessary to perform the research. If you have questions regarding methodology, please see your faculty mentor(s) or visit the OUR office for help. 
• Timeline of Research. Applicants must provide a detailed timeline for completion of her/his research project goals. The goals listed in the project description should be included. 
• Background Experience. Applications must list any previous research experience she/he may have. This may include applicable course work, and/or other relevant research or past projects within the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Experience 
• Benefits to your Field of Study and Career Plans. Applicants must explain why the information gained from this research project will be beneficial to her/his academic goals. 
• Requested IRB Approval or IACUC Approval (if applicable) 
• Faculty Endorsement Form. Faculty mentors will automatically be sent this form upon completion of your application. Please make sure you type the correct email address.