Liberson Summer Research Fellowship in Environmental Science & Policy

The Environmental Science & Policy Program invites student applications for the Liberson Summer Research Fellowship to support eight weeks of full-time research on an environmental topic. The award includes a $3,500 student stipend, $500 in research supplies, and $500 in funds available for the research advisor. The deadline to apply is 5pm on Monday, March 1^st, 2021. Applications (including the proposal, transcript, and personal statement) and letters of recommendation should be submitted to James Kaste via email at jmkaste@wm.edu.

Eligibility

Applicant must be a declared major or minor in the Environmental Science & Policy Program.
The project must be advised by an ENSP faculty member.
Applicant must be a student in good academic standing.
Applicant must be a continuing student (i.e. not a graduating senior).

Requirements

Recipients of summer research funding will blog about their research experience during the summer.
Recipients will present their research at the Charles Center's Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Recipients will write a brief “news story” overviewing their research experience and findings that will be posted on the ENSP website.

What is needed to apply

Project Proposal

The project proposal can be submitted as a Word Document or PDF. This proposal text should be no more than 3 double-spaced pages and should contain the following elements:

Be sure that a research question or hypothesis (if appropriate) is clearly stated.
Detailed methodology: How will you carry out your work? What methods/sources will you use? What relevant coursework/experiences/skills do you have that will help you succeed in the proposed work?
Pandemic Planning: please explain if/how your work can be done remotely. If access to campus is allowed, would you adjust your work to use campus facilities/resources?
What will be the outcome of your research: article, website, etc.?
Why is this work exciting, unique, and/or help improve the environment?

The proposal should also include a budget detailing the amount of research funds you require how such funds will be used (budget can be a 4^th page of the Proposal).

Personal Statement

The personal statement, limited to two double-spaced pages can be submitted as a Word document or PDF. The personal statement should reflect on your intellectual influences and examine what you hope to achieve both here and after graduation. What led you to develop an interest in your field of study and the proposed research topic? How will this research or program experience help further your own academic/intellectual development? As you reflect on what to write, be sure to consider your favorite authors, scholars, teachers, or classes. Also consider what things you want to study, why you want to study them, and what you hope to learn about your area of interest. Finally, consider the contribution you want to make with your research to our knowledge and understanding of your field.

Transcript

Submit an unofficial, WM Banner transcript, including 2021 spring registration. You may copy from Banner and paste into a Word document but please make sure that you capture all course titles and grades AND delete excess white space. If you studied abroad or completed other off-campus academic work, please submit those transcripts, too.

Letter of Recommendation and Support from a Faculty Project Advisor

The summer research project must be advised by a W&M Faculty Member. The faculty member must write of letter of support (email to jmkaste@wm.edu) indicating that they will advise the project and attesting to your suitability to undertake your proposed project. This would be someone who knows you and your work well. You should discuss your proposal with the faculty member before applying.