Summer Research Grants in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Purpose

The University of Puget Sound, with the support of the Richard Bangs Collier Institute of Ethics and Science and an anonymous donor, has established summer research programs for undergraduates in the arts, humanities and social sciences. These programs offer students the opportunity to engage in independent research projects during the summer. Stipends of $3,250 and $3,750 will be awarded on a competitive basis to students who demonstrate research interest and ability.

» Important Information for Applicants – Read this first «

Eligibility

Please note the following eligibility requirements:

  • Summer research awards are not open to students who will have graduated before their research is completed.
  • Summer research award recipients are expected to be enrolled the following fall semester.
  • Students who apply for a Summer Science Research Award are ineligible to apply for a Summer Research Award in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Recipient Responsibilities

Students who receive summer funding agree to:

  • devote full time to the project for at least ten weeks during summer 2013. Students who cannot devote ten weeks of full time work to their research should not apply;
  • not enroll in summer classes, and not to hold any other employment while engaged in research (an occasional exception may be made for limited part time employment, and permission for such must be obtained from Associate Dean, Sunil Kukreja);
  • submit a written report of the research to the faculty research supervisor and to Associate Dean Sunil Kukreja no later than September 24, 2013;
  • submit an electronic copy of the research report to the Collins Memorial Library for publication in Sound Ideas, an online repository of Puget Sound academic materials, by September 24, 2013;
  • present their work at the Fall Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Symposium;
  • complete both the pre-summer and post-summer research surveys.

Types of Awards

University Summer Scholars

For 2013, most summer research award recipients will be University Summer Scholars and will receive stipends of $3,250. Research may be proposed on any topic of interest.

Richard Bangs Collier Scholars

Two students (who will have completed their sophomore year by the end of Spring 2013) will be named Richard Bangs Collier Scholars. These students will receive stipends of $3,750. Applicants for this award submit a proposal describing an interdisciplinary project that applies the concerns of a humanistic or social science discipline to scientific material, or that makes use of a science to explore a topic in the humanities or social sciences. The science involved in the project may be any of the natural or human sciences (including biology, chemistry, geology, natural sciences, physics, computer science, mathematics, economics, exercise science, and psychology). The project must involve both a humanistic or social science and a natural or human science sufficiently distinct from one another to encourage meaningful interdisciplinary perspectives.

Delta Phi Fund

Due to generous gifts from alumni of the Delta Phi Chapter at the University of Puget Sound, two grants of up to $750 each will be awarded to AHSS recipients to help offset the research expenses or travel costs associated with the summer project. In accordance with the donor's intentions, the selected projects will reflect "fostering the awareness of social and economic justice on every level possible." The donors "aim to create…graduates with a deeper seated appreciation for friendship, the roots of justice, and a lifelong thirst for learning."

Students wishing to be considered for this award (which is in addition to the regular AHSS stipend) should: (1) indicate their interest by checking the appropriate blank on the AHSS application form, (2) submit a budget of anticipated expenses with a clarification for each, (3) write a 250 word explanation of how their project reflects the donor's values as noted above, and (4) include a list specifying involvement in campus activities.

Applicants will be chosen on the basis of these materials as well as their academic merit. All juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply; in the case of equally meritorious applications, preference will be given to members of the Delta Phi chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Similar to the eligibility requirement for summer stipends, it is expected that recipients will return to campus for at least one semester after the summer they use the award. Recipients are also expected to communicate with staff members in the Office of University Relations to provide reflections on their research experience, as requested, in a timely manner.

Summer Fellowship in Archives and Special Collections

Awarded on a competitive basis, these funds provide a $3,250 stipend to support students engaged in independent research utilizing material from the Collins Memorial Library Archives & Special Collections for a total of 350 hours of research during the summer. Deadline for summer 2013 is March 15, 2013. Complete information and application form is available at the Summer Fellowship in Archives & Special Collections page.

Important Dates

  • March 8, 2013 - Application Due. Submit one copy of the complete application to Sunil Kukreja, Associate Dean, Jones 212, no later than 5 p.m.
  • April 8, 2013 - Awards announced via letters sent through campus mail.

Award Administration

Each University Summer Scholar will receive a $2,750 stipend at the beginning of the summer, on or before May 15, 2013, followed by a $500 payment after all reporting requirements are submitted.

Richard Bangs Collier Scholars receive a $3,250 stipend at the beginning of the summer, on or before May 15, 2013, followed by a $500 payment after all final reporting requirements are submitted.

Delta Phi Scholars will receive a $2750 stipend plus $750 in supply/travel monies at the beginning of the summer, on or before May 15, 2013, followed by a $500 payment after all final reporting requirements are submitted.

Note: Although the summer research project frequently becomes the student's senior thesis project, the required public presentation is not the same as the presentation that may be required by the department in connection with a senior thesis.