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BIPP Summer Research Fellowship

Did you know that students in the Social Sciences can also get involved in research? Are you interested in public policy issues and having a meaningful research experience this summer? Then consider applying to be a BIPP Summer Research Fellow. The fellowship award is $3000 to defray living expenses and fellows also qualify for on-campus housing.

As a BIPP Research Fellow, you will engage in research with a faculty mentor’s supervision for 8-12 weeks over the summer. To help pair you with a faculty member with a research interest you share, potential Research Fellows should attend the Information Session, Feb. 14, 2019, from 11 – 11:52 a.m. in the Academic West Event Lounge.  If you are not able to attend this meeting you can request a brochure of faculty research projects from Carrie Ellis, Program Coordinator, at cle005@bucknell.edu and meet separately with several potential faculty mentors to discuss potential collaborations.

Expectations for the Research Fellows

Successful applicants are expected to:

  • Conduct their research on a full-time basis for not less than 8 nor more than 12 weeks.
  • Present their research, preferably at the Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium. Alternative presentation venues, on or off-campus, include the Sigma Xi poster session, a Posters Plus presentation and/or the Kalman Research Symposium.
  • Attend weekly workshops on research and professional development.
  • Submit at the end of the summer a self-assessment and summary of their experience for potential publication by the Institute for Public Policy.

Application Requirements

After being paired with a faculty member through mutual consent, you will work with the faculty member to craft an application. The maximum 2 page letter of intent should include the research method(s) you will be learning and the topic to which you will apply it. It should clearly explain how you will be using the time in your fellowship for any anticipated results.

Separately, your faculty mentor must submit a letter of support.

Students must also submit a transcript, and writing sample.

As guidance, a template for these materials and additional information can be found below.

Selection Criteria

The student’s application and faculty support letter must clearly describe the proposed methods and topic area to be explored, the significance of the topic for public policy, convince the readers that the project can be completed in 8-12 weeks, demonstrate that the student and faculty member will collaborate closely, articulate clear educational outcomes, and demonstrate that the project is primarily for the educational benefit of the student.

Applications are due Friday, March 8, 2019 at 5 p.m. and are to be submitted through this link.

Faculty will submit a separate letter of support which they will email to Carrie Ellis, Program Coordinator, cle005@bucknell.edu, by Friday, March 8, 2019, 5 p.m.

Note: If the proposed project involves human or animal subjects, it is the student and faculty member’s responsibility to obtain any required IRB or IACUC approvals.

Further Information:

Contact Carrie Ellis in Academic West 100, cle005@bucknell.edu. If you have questions about your application as you are developing it, please contact Professor Wolaver, Director, or Professor Massaro, Undergraduate Research Programming Fellow.

Template For Student Letter Of Intent

Information to include in your (maximum 2-page) letter:

Student contact information

Faculty Mentor, Methods you will learn

Description of Research Area & Importance to Public Policy

Discussion of how this project will help you achieve your future professional and academic goals

Timing of Project:

 

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