The CRA-E SPARC site provides resources for undergraduate students, interested in research, graduate school, and research careers in computer science.  It also provides resources for faculty mentors, looking to engage and advise undergraduates in research and prepare them for graduate school in computing fields.

The annual CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researchers Award Program recognizes undergraduate students who show outstanding research potential in an area of computing research. Nominations are made by the student’s department. View previous winners.

Check out resources for applying to graduate school on the CRA Conquer site.

View a series of videos on Choosing a Ph.D. in Computer Science.

View set of slides on Why choose a Ph.D. in CS? (440 KB PDF)

The Graduate Student Information Guide (213 KB PDF) is filled with advice on planning for graduate school. Although written for women, this is an excellent guide to anyone considering advanced study.

CRA’s Committee on Widening Participation in Computing Research (CRA-WP) works with other broadening participation in computing partners to more effectively reach women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Distributed Research Experiences for Undergraduates (DREU) is a highly selective program that matches promising undergraduate women and members of underrepresented groups with a faculty mentor for a summer research experience at the faculty member’s home institution.

Collaborative Research Experience for Undergraduates (CREU) provides research stipends to teams of students from underrepresented groups working on research projects under the guidance of a mentor at their home institutions.

The CRA-WP Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) sends faculty and industry researchers to campuses to encourage women and minorities to attend graduate school. Get your school to apply!

CRA-WP Grad Cohort Programs holds workshops intended for Computer Science and Engineering students in their first year of grad school. Students meet for two days with 10-15 senior researchers who share pertinent information on the transition from student to researcher as well as more personal information and insights about their experiences.

CRA also supports additional initiatives:

Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference, which highlights the technical contributions and career interests of diverse people in computing fields.

CRA was the original sponsoring organization of what is now the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology’s Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, which celebrates the technical contributions of women in computing.