The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute (IHSI) encourages researchers across campus to consider their community-engaged research projects for the Summer 2026 Community-Academic Scholars (CAS) program. This program provides substantive support for community-engaged research, transformational learning and mentorship opportunities, and impactful community collaboration.
Please join us Nov. 6, 11 a.m.-noon on Zoom to learn more about submitting projects and becoming an academic mentor for the CAS program. The session will cover program benefits, project selection, and insights and Q&A with Prof. Wendy Rogers and Prof. Catalina Alzate, both affiliates of IHSI, about their experiences as CAS faculty mentors. If you cannot attend the info session, please register to receive a notification when the recording is available.
About the Community-Academic Scholars (CAS) Program
Now in its eight year, the CAS program matches researchers with undergraduate research assistants who receive training, guidance, and a stipend to support their success. Beyond the summer program, researchers are invited to engage with IHSI to continue developing their projects. All Illinois faculty and staff who conduct community-engaged research are encouraged to apply, as the program seeks to address the multiple dimensions, determinants, and expanse of areas that affect human health and well-being. The application period will open Jan. 7, 2026, with applications due Jan. 28, 2026.
Community-Academic Scholars have diverse interests and skillsets, and all share a commitment to making an impact in our community. Preference is given to students whose experiences or interests reflect a strong alignment with the population that the project serves and/or the project’s methodologies. Previous mentors have shared that their scholars’ contributions and insights have been invaluable to their research projects, and that these mentoring relationships have also been personally rewarding.
For questions, please reach out to Max Wallace at mmw3@illinois.edu.
Register for the Nov. 6 info session