Genevieve D. Willis Endowment for Excellence
The Genevieve D. Willis Gender Studies Senior Thesis Program
This program has been established to promote excellence in undergraduate research in Gender Studies at Notre Dame through the following initiatives:
*Summer Research Grants for Senior Theses in Gender Studies
*The Gender Studies Research Workshop
*Undergraduate Writing Prizes in Gender Studies
Application Process for the Genevieve D. Willis Senior Thesis Grant:
1) Junior majors in Gender Studies have priority in the application process for these grants. Junior minors, sophomore majors, or sophomore minors who plan to undertake research for their senior theses in Gender Studies over the course of the next two summers may also apply for these grants. Both junior and sophomore majors and minors are notified by email of this opportunity in the Spring semester. Both junior and sophomore majors and minors should meet with the Gender Studies Academic Advisor and their chosen faculty advisors about their grant applications.
2) Junior majors and minors in Gender Studies who are interested in applying for these grants or have received one in the previous year will enroll in the Gender Studies Senior Thesis course for the Fall semester, after consultation with the Gender Studies Academic Advisor and their senior thesis advisors.
3) The major submits the following application materials to the Gender Studies Academic Advisor by April 24:
i. 2-page prospectus (summary) of the research project, including a statement of the topic, hypothesis, method, projected conclusions, and rationale for the receipt of a summer research grant to advance the project.
ii. 1-page budget (up to $1000) for archival or field research and/or books and materials for the summer portion of the research project. The amount of funding awarded will be determined by the number and quality of applications received.
iii. A completed copy of the application cover sheet.
4) A major or minor who wins a grant will be awarded the funds by the last day of the Spring semester.
5) The major or minor conducts research over the summer months, and then submits to the Gender Studies Academic Advisor and the senior thesis advisor a 5-page summary of the results of the research by September 1st.
6) All winners of a Genevieve D. Willis Senior Thesis Grant will participate in the Gender Studies Research Workshop in their junior and/or senior years, where they will have the opportunity to receive feedback on their research from faculty, graduate students, and fellow undergraduate students. They will also be encouraged to submit their senior theses for consideration for the annual Genevieve D. Willis Gender Studies Senior Thesis Prize.
2008 Senior Thesis Grant Recipients
2007 Senior Thesis Grant Recipients