Honors Summer Research Fellowship
The Helen Hardin Honors College provides funding for a summer research fellowship program to promote research and creative scholarly activity among honors students. The purpose of the program is to provide honors students with the time, financial support, and faculty mentoring to pursue meaningful research and creative projects in the summer.
Benefits
Up to 10 stipends at $2,400 each will be awarded to support honors students who will work with a University of Memphis full-time faculty member this summer. Students will also receive an allowance of up to $1,000 for consumable supplies to be used in direct support of the research project.
Eligibility
Application is open to any Helen Hardin Honors College student who meet the following criteria:
- Has not been awarded an honors summer research fellowship previously,
- Is in good standing with the Honors College (i.e., minimum 3.25 GPA, not on probation,etc.).
- Will have completed his/her sophomore year (defined as having a minimum of 60 credit hours) or junior year prior to the beginning for the 2023 Summer Session.
- Will enroll for at least one semester at the University of Memphis as an undergraduate student after the completion of the summer fellowship.
Please note: Students graduating in May or August 2024 are not eligible.
Program Requirements
Students funded by this program must agree to the following:
- Be involved in the program, from May 28 to August 2, and forego any courses, employment, or internships that would interfere with their full-time commitment during the 10-week period of participation.
- Submit a final report to the Honors College representing the completed work no later than the first day of classes
- Present their results at the annual Works in Progress Symposium held in the Fall 2024 semester.
- If still enrolled in the Spring 2024 semester, present their results at the Student Research Forum and apply to present at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research in Spring 2024.
- Submit an honors thesis based upon the funded project in senior year.
- Submit research manuscript for publication in QuaesitUM journal.
Selection Criteria
Fellows are selected based on the following criteria:
- Academic record and commitment to the honors curriculum
- Quality of the proposal
- Originality and promise of their proposed projects
- Faculty recommendations
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following materials:
- Honors Fellowship Application Form
- A 1000-1500 word statement describing the purpose of the project, the expected outcomes of the project, and how the project will enhance your educational program,
- A letter of recommendation from the faculty member who will direct your research.
This letter should include the following
- Plans for mentoring and supervision by the faculty member;
- Relevant information might include: the expected manner, form, and frequency of interactions between the student and mentor;
- Plan for the student to meet the project milestones; and a description of any planned product as the result of the research.
- A letter of recommendation from a faculty member other than your research mentor.
- Copy of your unofficial transcript.
Students are responsible for seeking a faculty member to mentor the project, or a faculty member can suggest a project to a student.
Application Deadline: Monday, March 25, 2024
E-mail application documents to Dr. Melinda Jones, Director, Helen Hardin Honors College at mljones6@memphis.edu.