The McDonough Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Application
DUE DATE: APRIL 10, 2015
Dear prospective McDonough Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow:
The McDonough Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship is an exceptional opportunity for McDonough’s
rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors to engage in the research process. Selected applicants are provided with the
unique opportunity to work closely with faculty and the Undergraduate Program Office to successfully design,
investigate, and produce an original research project. This fellowship provides up to $5,000 (10 week award) or
$2,500 (5 week award) to successful applicants to aid in their research endeavors. Please note that previous research
experience is not a requirement for this fellowship. This packet should serve as a guide and provide a framework for
producing a successful McDonough Undergraduate Research Fellowship Proposal.
Research Proposal
The strength of your research proposal has a significant impact on the success of your application. Due to the
competitive nature of the McDonough Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship it is important to ensure that
your research ideas are fresh and innovative and will lend new knowledge to the business sector of your choosing.
Overall, your research proposal should be detailed and feasible. A “Proposal Outline” is included in this packet and
provides instructions on composing a detailed, yet concise proposal.
Faculty Mentor
Prospective Research Fellows must secure a faculty mentor who is committed to working with them while they are
in the program at the time of application. Faculty mentors are valuable advocates for Research Fellows. These
faculty members, advise, critique your work, and provide constructive feedback throughout the entire research
process. Applicants should select a faculty member who is committed to ensuring that their research project come
into fruition. Applicants should provide their faculty mentor with a copy of his/her project proposal no later than
April 5, 2015 to ensure enough time for revisions.
Grant Timeline
The McDonough Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship will be awarded in two allotments. The first half
of your award will be given at the beginning of the summer. The second half will be given once your research
project is approved by your faculty mentor and submitted to the Undergraduate Programs Office. In order to receive
the grant, Research Fellows must:
1. a.) Spend ten weeks working on the project (30 hours/week). Research Fellows are expected to begin
their research projects no later than June 1, 2015. Research projects should be finalized by August 31,
2015. The McDonough Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship should be a considerable
commitment for a minimum of ten weeks. Please explain any other commitments that you would have in
addition to the McDonough Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship should you be selected.
or
b.) Spend five weeks working on the project (30 hours/week). Research Fellows may use either the first
half or second half of the summer to complete their project. Research projects should be finalized by
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August 31, 2015. Please explain any other commitments that you would have in addition to the
McDonough Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship should you be selected.
2. Submit poster template that details your final research projects’ procedures, results, and
recommendations to the Undergraduate Program Office and to your faculty mentor no later than
September 7, 2015.
3. Receive final endorsement from your faculty sponsor. Your faculty sponsor should provide constructive
feedback and ideas for future exploration regarding your completed research project. This final sign off
on your project certifies that the research is complete and must be received by the Undergraduate
Programs Office in writing prior to the release of the second installment of the award.
4. Present the findings of your research project at the Second Annual McDonough Undergraduate Research
Symposium. This event is tentatively scheduled for October 21, 2015.
Applicants must submit their complete application in a single .doc or .pdf format to [email protected] by
5:00pm on April 10, 2015. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Steve D. Mobley, Jr.
Associate Director
Office of Undergraduate Programs
[email protected]
202.687.3851
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The McDonough Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Application
Application Cover Sheet
Applicants must submit their complete application in a single .doc or .pdf format to [email protected] by
5:00pm on April 10, 2015.
Name: _____________________________________ Net ID:___________________________________
Major(s): ______________________________Graduation Year: ________________________________
Classification (fresh., soph., etc.)___________________GPA:___________________________________
ID Number (Go-Card#)_____________________________
Have you applied or are being considered for any of the following summer opportunities? (Please check all that are
applicable):
□ McDonough Undergraduate Program Summer Study Abroad (i.e. Oxford, Barcelona, or Hong Kong)
□ Fabretto Fellowship in Nicaragua
□ Part-Time of Full-Time Internship
□ Other ___________________________________________________________________________
Project Title: ______________________________________________________________________________
Application Checklist:
□ Project Proposal in Three Parts: 1. A 500-1,000 words essay describing: a) the proposed project of study; b) the
significance of the project in relation to the field at large; c) How will your prior educational experiences lend to the
success of your project; and, d) the relation of the project to your long-term intellectual and educational/professional
goals.
□ A ten-week timeline or a five-week timeline
□ Résumé (one page)
□ Transcript (may be unofficial)
□ A Letter of Support from Faculty Mentor (to be collected by the student for inclusion in his/her application packet)
Faculty Mentor Name (printed): ______________________________________________
Faculty Mentor Signature: ___________________________________________________
Department: ______________________________________________________________
Email address: ____________________________________________________________
Applicant Signature__________________________________ Date____________________
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The McDonough Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Application
Summer Research Fellowships Project Proposal Outline
I.
Essay
In a 500-1,000 word essay, please consider the following issues:
a. Central Topic/Issue
i. What issue, idea, problem, or topic do you intend to examine?
ii. What do you hope to accomplish through your proposed project?
b. Preparation and Strategies
i. How will your idea contribute to a particular field?
ii. What classes and activities have you engaged in that demonstrate your knowledge of
your research topic?
iii. Specifically what activities will you undertake as part of the proposed project? (This
should be linked to your proposed timeline)
iv. How will you utilize your faculty mentor (or any others playing a supporting advising
role) throughout your project?
c. Outcomes
i. What potential benefits do you believe will be associated with completing an
independent research project?
II.
Timeline/Plan of Action
a. Please provide a schedule that details how you intend to complete your research project.
As a reminder please remember that your research proposal is due to your faculty mentor by April 10,
2015!
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