Through the generosity of an endowment for the physics undergraduate research and education program, we can award research grants for physics or biophysics undergraduate students doing research in collaboration with a faculty member of the Physics department. Students may apply for stipend support or travel funds (for conference travel or project work). You may apply for both stipend and travel, in separate applications.
This award may be combined with other awards or funding sources, but other funding will be considered in the allocation of the awards.
The summer research award supports faculty-mentored research in any subfield of physics and biophysics. Preference may be given to students whose research projects are integral to their academic program and may contribute to a senior thesis.
Application due date: March 6.
Eligibility
In all cases, the research projects must be directed by a member of the Physics faculty and conducted over a period of 6-12 weeks continuously during the summer months (a hiatus of one week or less within this period is acceptable). Students may not be enrolled in classes during the period of the funded research work. With the exception of graduating seniors, all Physics and Biophysics majors are eligible to apply for this fellowship.
Selection criteria
Criteria include: merit of project, feasibility of project, adequacy of resources, preparedness of student, potential for outcome (poster, presentation, paper etc.), potential for work leading to graduation with distinction. Projects spanning more than one department with multiple advisors are eligible, although at least one faculty advisor must be from Physics. The student must be a declared Physics or Biophysics major at the time of application.
Application instructions
Students must submit the following:
- Student Information: The student should provide a CV listing prior work experience and skills.
- Faculty recommendation letter: The faculty mentor will need to submit a letter of recommendation and evaluation of the project to the Undergraduate Student Services Officer, including information confirming the dates when research will be performed.
- Academic information: The student’s academic transcript.
- Project Information: Short project title, abstract (single paragraph of no more than 250 words), dates, location, special considerations
- Project Proposal: A narrative of no more than 3 pages organized into:
- Background and general aims/long term objectives (What is the overall goal of this research? How does it relate to major drivers of research in your discipline? How does your proposed research relate to the work of others in this field?)
- Specific aims/short term objectives and methods (What research questions will you ask, and what methods will you use to address them?)
- References cited
- Budget: Total amount requested, corresponding to dates of research. Other funding sought for this project must be listed. Indicate whether travel funds will also be sought.
- Health & Safety Plan: Special health and safety considerations must be described.
Applications should be submitted to jemma.alsalaam@duke.edu by the deadline above, electronically in a single pdf file (except for the recommendation letter, which should be sent by the letter-writer separately).