The Levitt Research Fellows Program is open to all students in the classes of 2009, 2010, and 2011 who wish to spend the summer working in collaboration with a faculty member on an issue related to public affairs. Students selected for the program will receive a $4,000 summer stipend. In addition, students may apply for a research budget of up to $500. The research project is equivalent to a full-time job: Summer Research Fellows will be required to work on a full-time basis for at least 10 weeks. Applications from all students are welcome; however, the review committee will give preference to projects related to the applicant's senior thesis or senior project.
Please note: the deadline for this year's applications is 4:00 PM, Friday, February 22, 2008. Award notifications will be made on or before March 14, 2008.
Applications should be sent via email (
stopi@hamilton.edu). Application must include:
1. A brief (max 2 pages) description of the project. In addition to outlining the project and the work to be done over the summer, the application should also explain the project's relevance to an important public affairs issue and how it relates to the applicant's academic program and goals. Successful proposals will clearly identify the research questions, the methods used to answer the questions, and explain the importance of the research to a public affairs issues.
The 2 page limit will be strictly enforced. Proposals should be double-spaced with one-inch margins. Font sizes smaller than 11 point should not be used. References can be displayed on an additional page.
2. If students are requesting access to the research money of up to $500, a budget itemizing the projected research expenses should be included on a separate page. This research money may be used for any books, materials, or travel necessary for the project.
3. A letter from the faculty advisor for the project, discussing the merits of the project and the student's capacity to complete it successfully.
Those selected for the program are required to provide a written assessment of their work at the completion of the summer. In addition, they are required to make a poster describing their project and participate in a poster session during the Fall 2008 semester.
In addition, posters from previous Levitt Fellowships are displayed throughout KJ.
