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Charles Center Summer Research Grants & Honors Fellowships

Looking to embark on a mentored summer research endeavor? Apply for funding from the Charles Center!

Every summer, Charles Center awards over half a million dollars in grants to fund summer undergraduate research in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

There are two categories of grants available through the online application, open to undergraduate students in every major:

Summer Research Grant: Unless otherwise noted, these awards are $4,000 to support seven full-time weeks of research. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are eligible to apply.

Honors Fellowship: These awards are $5,000 to support ten full-time weeks of pre-Honors research. Juniors planning to complete Departmental Honors during their senior year are eligible to apply. 

Deadline: The application is due February 17, 2025. 

Apply Here

Page Contents:

Grant & Fellowship Application Information

General Information

Preparing Your Application

Research Ethics Compliance

If your research involves any of the following, you must submit a request for approval to the appropriate Research Compliance committee before submitting your application. Approval must be obtained before you begin research.

Charles Center Policy on the Use of Generative AI in Research Grant Proposals

Charles Center Policy on the Use of Generative AI in Research Grant Proposals
  • While we expect your proposal to be your original work, we do recognize that some students utilize generative AI tools to edit or get feedback on their writing.
  • You are in no way required to use AI to help you edit your proposal. You may choose to avoid it entirely. If you choose to use it, you should do so ethically and honestly.
  • Using Copilot through W&M provides commercial data protection. However, many other tools such as ChatGPT will not keep data private. You should not input private, protected, or proprietary information into these tools. You must ask your faculty mentor for permission before inputting any writing or data from their research into a generative AI tool.
  • For writing-related questions and personalized assistance, we recommend you make an appointment at the Writing & Communication Center.

On the application, you will be asked the question:

Please list any tools you have used while writing this proposal and describe how you have used them. Example: “I used Copilot to edit the abstract I had written and provide feedback on improving clarity of language.”

Evaluation Criteria

Your proposal will be reviewed by a group of faculty reviewers from inside and outside your field.

Each application for a research grant will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Clarity of Proposal

    Is there a well-defined research question? Does the student clearly convey the impact/big picture of the research project? Is the proposal well written? Could a layperson understand the main points of the proposal?

  • Methodology

    Is the methodology of the project explained clearly and in detail? Is project a timeline provided? Do the research steps make logical sense?

  • Preparation

    Candidate’s academic or other preparation for project․ Does the candidate have sufficient background or training such as coursework, research, etc․ (formal or informal), to make the project a success? (This is based on transcript and prior experience, which may be reflected in the personal statement․)

  • Feasibility

    Feasibility of proposed project․ Does the candidate have access to the necessary resources to make the project a success? Can the proposed work be completed in the proposed timeline? Does the advisor recommendation form indicate a degree of support that will allow the project to be successful?

  • Proposal Presentation

    Does the student demonstrate a clear understanding of the project’s big picture?

  • Personal Statement

    Does the student clearly explains how this project fits within their intellectual trajectory?

Need Help or Inspiration?

Funding to Promote Specific Categories of Research

Use the Charles Center grant application to apply for general funding, as well as for funding in the categories listed below. Applicants will indicate on the application form if their research falls into any of these categories. If your research does not match any of descriptions below, your application will still be considered for general funding.

Expectations for Funded Projects

  • Time

    Spend the required number of full-time weeks (7 for most Summer Research Grants, 10 for Honors Fellowships) or equivalent number of hours on the project during the summer

  • Faculty Mentor

    Be responsive to communication and deadlines agreed upon with faculty research advisor, including submission of your final research product

  • Check-Ins

    Respond to Charles Center check-ins during the summer

  • Thank You Notes

    Complete donor thank you message if directed to by the Charles Center

  • Photos

    Submit two captioned photos of your research in progress to the Charles Center upon request during the summer

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Complimentary Summer Research Housing?

A limited number of undergraduates conducting summer research at William & Mary during Summer 2025 are eligible to receive free on-campus housing. The application link and process timeline can be found below. 

Upcoming Research Events

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The Charles Center

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Application Questions

  • Contact: Kate Patterson, Undergraduate Research Program Administrator
  • Office: Blow Hall 267

Address

262 Richmond Road Williamsburg, 23185