TRINITY UNIVERSITY 2007 SUMMER RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS

Trinity University’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and Summer Undergraduate Fellowships in the Natural Sciences (SURF) Programs will provide up to 26 summer research fellowships to Trinity students in 2007.  HHMI fellows will work on interdisciplinary projects, bringing together biology with chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, or psychology.  SURF fellows will work on projects in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics & astronomy, geosciences, and neuroscience.  Faculty interested in supervising and mentoring HHMI and/or SURF students have prepared research abstracts describing opportunities available to students this summer.

The awards include:

  • a $3,500 stipend that provides support for ten weeks during the summer

  • free summer housing in Trinity University dormitories, if available

  • one semester hour of free academic credit

  • additional funds for supplies and/or travel related to the research ($1,400 for SURF and $2,000  for HHMI)

What is expected of all Research Fellows:

  • ten weeks of full-time work dedicated to the project

  • a poster or oral presentation at the Trinity Summer Undergraduate Research Conference, July 26-27, 2007

  • a brief written report of the work completed at the end of the summer

  • completion of the Survey of Undergraduate Research Experiences (SURE) at the end of the summer

In addition: 

HHMI fellows will be required to participate in weekly HHMI interdisciplinary research meetings and give a poster presentation in the HHMI Student Research Symposium in September 2007.  It is anticipated that they will continue work on their project during the 2007-08 academic year.

SURF fellows will be required to participate in bi-weekly SURF lunch programs and it is anticipated that they will eventually present their research at a professional conference.

How to apply:  

1.   After reading the abstracts, you should contact the faculty sponsor(s) with whom you would like to work to discuss the project(s)   

2.   Download and complete the application form.  Print a hard copy to submit.

      Part A:    Give your name and contact information.

      Part B:     Rank, by your level of interest, up to three project choices and list the faculty sponsors for each. 

      Part C.:   Provide a narrative (500 words maximum) that includes a rationale for your project selection(s)s, an explanation of your rankings, and description of the academic preparation and/or any prior research experience you will bring to the project. 

      Part D.:   Provide a statement (350 words maximum) of your career goals and how you feel the Research Fellowship will further your career plans. 

      Part E.     Provide a copy of your transcript (it can be an ‘unofficial’ transcript from TigerPaws).

      Part F.     Ask EACH faculty sponsor whose project you list in Part B to complete an assessment form.  If none of the faculty sponsors know you well, please ask an additional faculty member who knows you to complete and submit the assessment form.  If you list only one project on your application, please ask the project sponsor and one additional faculty member to complete a form.  Faculty should email the form directly to Claudia.Scholz@Trinity.edu.  Forms must be received by February 15, 2007.

3.   Submit one hard copy of your completed application form and transcript by the application deadline, 5:00 p.m., Thursday, February 15, 2007, to Dr. Claudia Scholz, Coordinator of Research Programs, Northrup Hall 341. 

Selection criteria:  A faculty steering committee will review all applications and rank them according to academic rigor and preparation, the “goodness of the fit” between the student and the faculty member, the general level of enthusiasm expressed for the project, and the potential for the fellowship to have an impact on the student’s aspirations.  The top-rated applicants will then be matched to projects reflecting as closely as possible the student’s rankings.

Making a competitive application:

  • Speak with the sponsoring faculty member before preparing your essays.

  • Be thoughtful in your essays.  The most compelling applications are ones where the interest and motivation of the student are obvious and well demonstrated.

  • Mature, reflective, and well-written prose is critical.  You should have someone read over your statements to provide a helpful critique.  The best proposals will have gone through several drafts.

  • Be thoughtful about your assessment letters.  Get someone who knows you well to support your application.

  • Get your application in on time.  Late applications will not be considered.