The Center for Research and Creative Activities (CRCA) is Salem State's hub for nurturing innovation and inquiry. With a dedicated focus on supporting the academic pursuits of both students and faculty, CRCA plays a pivotal role in advancing research, scholarship, and creative endeavors across disciplines.
In support of scholarship, CRCA collaborates with the University Research Advisory Committee (URAC) to offer internal grants and research teaching releases. Throughout the academic year, CRCA offers workshops, retreats, manuscript editing services, and a statistical support program to assist in the writing and publication process, as well as lecture series and community events to highlight scholarship. These resources are meticulously curated to empower scholars at every stage of their academic journey, from conceptualization to publication.
A highlight of CRCA's annual calendar is Research Day, a vibrant, interdisciplinary showcase of research and creative inquiry that underscores the depth and breadth of scholarly achievements at Salem State. This all-day event provides a platform for hundreds of students and faculty to present their research findings, share insights, and celebrate the collective pursuit of knowledge.
The Salem State University Research Advisory Committee (URAC) administers three types of internal grants to support the research and creative activities of tenure-track or tenured faculty. Scholarship support grants (formerly “mini-grants”) provide up to $1,000 to promote the scholarship, research, publication, and creative work of our faculty; seed grants (up to $3,000) fund research and other activities undertaken in preparation for application to an external funding body; and summer research and creative activities grants (up to $4,000) fund research or creative activities undertaken in the summer that will result in publication or presentation at a professional conference, performance, exhibition, or government contract.
For internal grant deadlines and more information, visit Polaris.
External Grant Support
CRCA works closely with the Grants Office, who serves the Salem State community by supporting faculty, administrators and staff seeking external public funding via state or federal grants for special academic programs, professional development, curriculum development, research, community projects, and outside collaboration.
CRCA regularly organizes events to help faculty apply for a Fulbright Scholarship. CRCA invites a Fulbright representative to campus to discuss opportunities and sponsors opportunities for interested faculty to meet with previous Fulbright recipients. In the spring and summer, CRCA also organizes writing groups for faculty interested in applying for a Fulbright.
Recent studies have shown that strong mentorship is vital to a successful and rewarding academic career. The CRCA mentoring program offers a unique opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary community of faculty scholars who support one another and share strategies for success.
The mentoring program typically offers a series of monthly meetings and workshops dedicated to helping junior and mid-career faculty to advance their scholarly agenda and manage time effectively. Between monthly meetings, smaller affinity groups meet with each other informally.
The mission of the University Research Advisory Committee (URAC) is to:
Assess needs to promote research and propose plans;
Develop a web presence to provide access to resources for faculty and students to conduct research;
Promote the dissemination of faculty and student research.
URAC, comprised of Salem State faculty and administrators, currently presides over internal grants and research teaching release awards. For more information about URAC, contact CRCA.
Congratulations to the 2025 Flibbert Award winners!
Sarah Lopez, nominated by Professor Kathleen Hess, received first place for her paper “Well-Being and Job Performance of Single Working Mothers.”
Arlinda Sherifi, nominated by Professor John McArdle, received second place for her paper “Delayed Harvest: Struggles to Transition Consumers from the Black to Legal Market in Canadian Cannabis.”
Finally, Kellie Velez, nominated by Professor Kathleen Schlenz, received third place for her paper “A Mosaic from Between Two Worlds.”
Each year, CRCA and the Mary G. Walsh Writing Center co-sponsor a robust programming schedule to support faculty, librarians, administrators and staff in achieving their writing goals. Programs like Finish It and Just Write offer structured writing time and support to help writers achieve individual goals.
For more information on faculty and staff writing support, contact Al DeCiccio.
