How to Apply

The steps involved in completing a project through CURE:

STEP 1:

Determine if you will complete the project for credit or non-credit

* NON-CREDIT -

If you are doing the project for non-credit, go to step 2

* CREDIT -

If you would like to obtain course credit for a CURE project, present the project description to your instructor and confirm with them that you will be awarded credit for your work.

Because of the wide range of diverse work required by various community and activist groups, different arrangements will be appropriate for different projects. Some projects will work better as term papers, whereas projects requiring a higher time commitment may work better as an independent study, internship, or thesis. Please refer to the in-depth guidelines provided at the bottom of this page. If you are unsure about the appropriate arrangement for your project of interest, please consult with an advisor, your professor, or contact CURE for guidance.

STEP 2:

Your full contact information (name, address, email, phone number)
The name of the project that you interested in
The name of the University that you are attending
The name of the course that you will obtain credit for (if applicable)
Your instructor's contact information (if applicable)

STEP 3:

After we receive your email, we will communicate with the community group to inform them that you are interested in working on their research request.

(Please note that for confidentiality purposes, we do not list community group contact information on the CURE website)

STEP 4:

Yourself and the Community group will arrange to meet in person to arrange the details of your collaboration together.

To facilitate this step of the process, the CURE Memorandum of Agreement form will be provided to serve as a guideline to establish the terms of your partnership. A copy of this form must be completed and emailed to CURE.

STEP 5:

The research process begins! You will communicate regularly with your community group point person throughout the duration of your research and contact CURE periodically to inform us of your progress and/or to request information, guidance or help.

STEP 6:

Your project is completed! You will submit a copy of your work to your course instructor, to the community group and also to CURE. Many people will be proud of you and grateful for the hard work and time you devoted to help further the grassroots movement for social change!

*******************

Following are more in-depth guidelines for how to receive credit from your University for work on a CURE project. Please note that CURE is not involved in granting students academic credit. Applying for credit from your University is up to you, and should be arranged prior to beginning work with a community group or organization.

********************

Apply to complete a CURE project as a term paper

If you are enrolled in an upper-level 300, 400 or 500-level class, you may complete a CURE project as your term paper. Be sure that the posted description for the CURE project you would like to take on is similar to the project requirements on your course syllabus - subject matter, research methods, and page count should roughly match.

Next, you must obtain your professor's permission to take on your project of choice. Presenting the CURE project description to your professor will likely be helpful. Once you have obtained permission from your professor, contact CURE. We will put you in contact with the community group with whom you will be working.

Apply to complete a CURE project as an Honors Thesis or Master's Thesis

If you have already been accepted into an Honors program or Graduate program in your area of study, or if you are currently applying for admittance, you may conduct a long-term CURE project as your thesis project. First, be sure that the posted description for the CURE project you would like to take on is similar to the project requirements for your honors project - subject matter and research methodology should be appropriate to your department, and page count should roughly match.

If you have not yet applied for acceptance into an Honors program, you must find a professor who is willing to supervise your work. Presenting the CURE project description to your professor will likely be helpful. You must then complete an application form, available at your departmental office. Specific requirements and prerequisites for application will vary by department; please consult the Concordia Programs Calendar for more information.

If you have already been accepted into an honors program or graduate program, consult with your advisor as to your change in interests prior to beginning your research. If your advisor is unwilling to supervise your work on a CURE project, you may consider finding a different advisor.

Apply to complete a CURE project as an Independent Study or Independent Reading course

Independent Study courses are the most straightforward option for term-long CURE projects. In order to apply for an Independent Reading course, you must prepare at least a month in advance of the term. Deadlines for application will vary by department, but many fall weeks prior to the first day of classes. Please contact us if you are interested in working on a CURE project - we are available to provide support through the process outlined below.

Before filling out an application form, you must first find a professor from within your department to supervise your project. When approaching professors, be sure to clarify that the project is facilitated through CURE, and present the CURE research request to your professor. If your professor needs clarification about CURE, they may contact us for more information.

Once you have found a supervisor, you must fill out an application form, available at your departmental office. After you have submitted the form, it will be reviewed by one or more people, and you will be informed as to whether your proposal has been accepted. At this time, you will be given permission to register for your Independent Reading Course on Minerva.

Apply to complete a CURE project as an Internship or Field Work Placement

Large research projects which require you to work closely with the group or organization may be appropriate for a term-long internship or field work placement. At McGill, all departments within the Arts faculty have internship options. Concordia internship and fieldwork placements vary by department. Please consult your departmental course offerings to determine which of these options are available to you. If you are unsure, please contact CURE for guidance.

Students interested in an internship or fieldwork placement should contact CURE well in advance of the semester in question. We will put you in touch with the group or organization with whom you will be working, as well as offer information and support throughout the internship application process.

**Please note that any research involving living subjects, such as oral history accounts, interviews, etc., must be approved by your University's Board of Ethics. Please consult our page on Ethics Requirements and Approval at McGill for more information.

Please contact CURE for any further assistance with your application process:

cure.mtl@gmail.com