UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH GRANTS IN THE LONDON PROGRAM

In order to promote undergraduate research in the London Program, we offer a limited number of modest grants to students intending to undertake a research project in London. (Here, the term "research" is broadly construed to include all forms of artistic expression and creativity in addition to traditional scholarship.) The research facilitated by these grants may subsequently form the basis of a term paper or a senior thesis which the student completes on returning to campus. It may also help students with their applications for graduate school and for post-baccalaureate grants such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, and Gates scholarships.

These grants are intended to support a wide variety of undergraduate research projects. Some of these projects may make use of resources that are uniquely available in Britain, such as its archives, galleries, museums, and libraries. Equally, the grants may be used to support students who wish to work with British academics or who plan to study in a British academic environment. Applications from students on the London Program who plan to spend time conducting research on international topics and/or further afield – on the Continent, for example – are also strongly encouraged to apply.

In each case, the student will need to find a supervising faculty member on campus who takes overall academic responsibility for the research project. The faculty member helps the student draft the proposal, assists in identifying resources and academic contacts in London, establishes deadlines for the project, grades the final piece of work, and secures academic credit for the project. The London Program will provide successful applicants with as much support as it can. This usually entails giving general advice on practical matters regarding doing research in London; ensuring that students meet all their deadlines; and acting as a local liaison between students and supervising faculty members on campus.

It is expected that the faculty member's department on campus will award 3 academic credits for each research project. The decision to grant academic credit for the research project lies with the department on campus. If such credit is awarded, this will then count towards the 15 academic credits that each student in the London Program is required to take.

Several awards are made each semester. The maximum sum awarded to any one individual is likely not to exceed $1,500. This money is intended to cover costs associated with the proposed research project, including (but not restricted to) laboratory fees, materials, transportation costs, library dues, and tutor's fees for British academics.

The competition for these awards will be announced each semester to students who have been accepted on the London Program and are intending on going to London in the following semester. The names of the recipients will be announced before the students travel to London. Completed applications should include:

• A research proposal, outlining the nature and scope of the project to be undertaken, together with a list of deadlines, details of the assignments to be completed, and a statement of the nature and frequency of contact between the student and the supervising faculty member on campus.  The proposal should indicate how the project relates to British culture, either in terms of the resources used or the topics covered or the personnel and institutions involved.
• A letter from the supervising faculty member on campus indicating how academic credit is to be awarded for the research project.
• A “letter of introduction” for the student signed by the supervising faculty member on campus. (The student will need this letter to gain access to institutions where the research is to be conducted.)
• A statement of any administrative and/or academic support that the London Program will be expected to provide to facilitate the research project