Application Information The Charles Center offers a number of grants to fund summer undergraduate research in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Unless otherwise noted, these awards are $3,000 to support seven full-time weeks of research. Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors are eligible to apply.
The application deadline for summer 2023 has passed. Please check back soon for summer 2024 due dates!
Funding to Promote Specific Categories of Research
Use the Charles Center Summer Research 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.
list of scholarships
Humanities & Arts
Ampersand Award Fund – research projects that explore practical causes of income inequality or the role of family in life outcomes, or a range of other academic and societal topics that lead to impactful, outward-facing research and identify real-time abatement measures. NOTE: proposals for this fund should account for 10 weeks of summer research (vs the standard 7 weeks) since the total award amount will be $5,000.
Catron Scholarship for Artistic Development - research or classes/workshops off campus in creative & artistic development conducted by a rising junior or senior. This is a separate application from the Charles Center Summer Research Grant. Please see the Catron Scholarship webpage for details, and select Catron Scholarship in the SlideRoom application menu. The Catron fund was established for Dr. Louis E. Catron, Professor of Theatre Emeritus.
Christian-Ewell Scholarship - research on topics involving Latin America. Mr. David Bruce Christian '73 established the endowment which funds this scholarship. The award is made in honor of Judith Ewell, Newton Professor of History, for her work at William & Mary.
Gaither-Johnson Summer Research Fellowship - research connected to the Lemon Project and some aspect of the historical relationship between African Americans and William & Mary. More information is available on the Gaither-Johnson webpage.This award is made possible by the Gaither-Johnson family.
Jacobs Scholarship - research in any field taking place in Israel. This award is made possible by the estate of Nathan P. Jacobs.
LouisScholarship - research about an international or intercultural topic or research conducted outside of the United States. These awards are made possible by the estate of Chloe Louis.
Science & Math
Climate Change Scholarship Fund - to support students engaged in project-based climate change research at William & Mary, with preference given to students in the Conservation Research Program through IIC. This scholarship is designed for those who have done prior study or work related to climate change. Applicants must have declared a major prior to proposal submission, and have a minimum GPA of 3.6. The applicant must have taken prior coursework, done research in or have demonstrable knowledge in field of proposed research. Students must submit TWO letters of recommendation from people in the field, at least one of whom must be a W&M faculty member.
Cummings Memorial Summer Scholarship for Research in the Sciences - students from underrepresented groups working in the sciences. These scholarships are made possible by the Frances L. and Edwin L. Cummings Memorial Science Research Endowment.
Glenmore Hines Harding Mentorship - research involving faculty mentorship in the sciences. These awards are made possible by Glenmore Hines Harding '65 in honor of her 50th reunion.
Llanso-ShermanScholarship - research related to medical science, conducted by a rising senior. These awards are made possible byPeter Neufeld '58.
Morton-BrownScholarship - research related to the bio-med disciplines (ie biology, kinesiology, neuroscience, etc). These awards are made possible by Doug N. Morton '62 & Marilyn Brown (honorary alum '07).
Social Sciences
Ampersand Award Fund – research projects that explore practical causes of income inequality or the role of family in life outcomes, or a range of other academic and societal topics that lead to impactful, outward-facing research and identify real-time abatement measures. NOTE: proposals for this fund should account for 10 weeks of summer research (vs the standard 7 weeks) since the total award amount will be $5,000.
Climate Change Scholarship Fund - to support students engaged in project-based climate change research at William & Mary, with preference given to students in the Conservation Research Program through IIC. This scholarship is designed for those who have done prior study or work related to climate change. Applicants must have declared a major prior to proposal submission, and have a minimum GPA of 3.6. The applicant must have taken prior coursework, done research in or have demonstrable knowledge in field of proposed research. Students must submit TWO letters of recommendation from people in the field, at least one of whom must be a W&M faculty member.
Christian-Ewell Scholarship - research on topics involving Latin America. Mr. David Bruce Christian '73 established the endowment which funds this scholarship. The award is made in honor of Judith Ewell, Newton Professor of History, for her work at William & Mary
Gaither-Johnson Summer Research Fellowship - research connected to the Lemon Project and some aspect of the historical relationship between African Americans and William & Mary. More information is available on the Gaither-Johnson webpage.This award is made possible by the Gaither-Johnson family.
Jacobs Scholarship - research in any field taking place in Israel. This award is made possible by the estate of Nathan P. Jacobs.
James Reilly Undergraduate Summer Scholarship - research in public policy. This award was created as a tribute to James Reilly '98 who died in the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
LouisScholarship - research about an international or intercultural topic or research conducted outside of the United States. These awards are made possible by the estate of Chloe Louis.
Scholar Programs Funding
Students in these programs will apply for funding through the Charles Center Summer Research Grant.
Summer Research Fellowship in Environmental Science & Policy
[The Charles Center publicizes this grant but they have separate applications]
Summer Research Fellowship in Environmental Science & Policy - these applications are due in February. The awards provide a $3500 scholarship, $500 in research supplies, and $1000 in funds available to the research advisor. Click the link for details.
General summer research awards are funded by the following:
Frank Batten, W. Edward Bright '78, Diana Alleva Caceres '87 & Lynn Alleva Lilley '87, Harvey Chappell '48, Helen Y. and Elliott Cohen '37, Virginia Crouch '90, William F. Davis, Jr. (former W&M faculty member), David Forer '41, Glenmore Hines Harding '65, Craig W. Hoffman '77, Kathleen B. Koch '80 and Robert J. Koch, Gale and Steve Kohlhagen '69, Theresa W. Long '00 & Emil L. Hanzevack, Suzanne Louis '71, Margaret L. Montgomery '42, Doug N. Morton '62 & Marilyn Brown (honorary alum '07), Peter Neufeld '58, the estate of Dewey Renick, Richard '52 and Nancy Sayford, Michael Tang '76, Mr. and Mrs. George Tayloe, Hans Tiefel, Barbara Wheeler '56, Christopher Wren Association, W&M Class of 1943, W&M Class of 1968, and the W&M Parents' Association