Applying to Summer Scholars

How to Apply

Students interested in SSFP must seek a faculty mentor with whom to apply. The application involves both a student and faculty component. Students are responsible for writing the application, but faculty mentors should review and provide feedback prior to submission.

Application Dates

Summer 2024 Applications Due: Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 5:00 PM

Expected Award Notification: Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Award Acceptance Notification: Monday, March 11, 2024

SSFP 2024 will run from May 20-July 26

STUDENTS:

Complete the Summer Scholars Fellowship Application Outline, below, using the Summer Scholars Fellowship Program Application Template (go to File > Save As > Download a Copy in order to access the template)..

Submit your completed Summer Scholars Fellowship Application HERE.

FACULTY

Each student application requires an accompanying letter of support from a faculty mentor. See below for the details to include in your letter. Please submit your Faculty Mentor Letter of Support HERE.

Summer Scholars Fellowship Application Outline

(Student Submits)

Students will be required to upload a Microsoft Word document using the Summer Scholars Fellowship Program Application Template (go to File > Save As > Download a Copy in order to access the template)..

1. Project Description: Provide a general description of your project. What is the field of study or scholarly area to which your project relates? How is your project advancing your field? What are your project goals or objectives? Please use language that faculty from outside your subject area can readily understand.

2. Methodology: How will you conduct your project? What is your approach? What will your process be? What resources or tools will you need? Please use language that faculty from outside your subject area can readily understand.

3. Student Background:

a. Describe why you are interested in conducting this project and any relevant background that has prepared you to be successful in the project (e.g., courses, participation in laboratory research, projects done for classes or independent studies, etc.).

b. If your project requires the use of specific laboratory equipment, software programs, etc., explain your experience with these materials or detail how you will be trained on these materials.

4. Learning Objectives: What are your personal learning objectives for this project (i.e., how will this project help develop your personal skills or knowledge)?

5. Audience: Who is the intended audience for this work, once complete (e.g., fellow scholars in your field, community partners, the university community, etc.)? How will the work be shared with that audience? In what ways is the work valuable to that audience?

6. Student and Faculty Roles: Explain the genesis of the idea for this project and elaborate on the anticipated role of your chosen faculty mentor in the completion of the project.

a. How did you come up with this project?

b. What role will each of you—student and faculty mentor—play in the process of conducting the project?

c. Detail the genesis of your mentoring relationship with your faculty advisor. Have you worked together previously and if so, how? Did you take courses with your faculty advisor and if so, which courses?

7. Timeline: Provide a detailed timeline for the project, including dates by which deliverables should be completed. Explain any challenges you can anticipate with this timeline and how you could navigate those challenges successfully.

8. Approvals: State whether the project involves a human or animal study. If it does, a notice of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval must be sent to Laura Hopkins (lhopkins@bw.edu) prior to the start of the SSFP.

9. Budget: Please provide any information about your intended budget for the $500 allowed for research expenses. You will not be bound to this later if accepted to the program.

10. Commitments: Do you have any other time commitments this summer that you would need to keep in addition to participation in SSP (e.g., very limited employment responsibilities, family vacations, etc.)? Obligations that are potential barriers to your full participation in SSP can impact your acceptance into the program.

Faculty Support Letter (Faculty Submits)

Please include in your candid and confidential letter a brief discussion of the following:

  1. How prepared is the student to be successful with this project?
  2. How likely is it that this student will complete the proposed project within the 10 weeks of the program?
  3. In what ways is this project valuable to the discipline, community, BW, or some other audience?
  4. Detail your existing professional relationship with the student – have you taught them in class? Do you currently work on research or projects together? Have you trained the student in techniques and approaches needed for them to successfully complete the research or project?

Contact Information:

For more information or questions, please contact Dr. Laura Hopkins at lhopkins@bw.edu