Summer Research Fellowships

1. Research Question. Is the research question clear and answerable? 
2. Methodology. Is the methodology sound? Does the application address both specifics and broad context? The plan should follow the process of scholars in the discipline. 
3. Feasibility. Is the project feasible and likely that the student will accomplish the main goals in an 8-week program? 
4. Product. Will the project result in something presentable off-campus? 
5. Suitability. To what extent is the student's skills and experiences appropriate for the proposed work, given the mentor's guidance? 
6. Mentorship. Does the proposal indicate that the faculty mentor will be available and helpful to the student?  If a mentor had students in the past two years, did they present their work off-campus? 
7. Writing Quality. Is the proposal polished? Does it seem like the mentor and student have worked together on drafts before submitting it? 

ALLIES in STEM welcomes applications for:

• Cal Lutheran STEM faculty-mentored research lasting 8 weeks. Students receive a $4,000  stipend, and $500 for research supplies. 
• STEM Internship funding support which varies by availability and opportunity. 
• Other opportunities to be identified by ALLIES in STEM.

These opportunities are open to Cal Lutheran STEM Majors who identify with one or more of the following items:

• Have the designation of STEM Scholar, students who participated in the STEM Academy
• Have the designation of ALLIES in STEM Peer Academic Leader (PAL)
• Identify as Hispanic/Latinx
• Be Pell-Eligible
• Identify from a group traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields.

If you have any questions or want to discuss interest in any of these opportunities, please contact ALLIES: allies@CalLutheran.edu

Learn more and apply through ALLIES in STEM

Cal Lutheran students in the Natural Science Division can apply for one of 15 Swenson Science Summer Research Fellowships. These are paid research fellowships that enable students to work one-on-one with a Science Division faculty mentor full-time for 8 weeks during the summer.

Students receive up to $4,000 of support and additional funding for supplies (up to $500). Faculty compensation is $500 per student. In addition to the Research Fellowship, a student may apply to receive up to $500 for professional travel, supplemented by OURCS.

Learn more and apply for Swenson Science Summer Research Fellowship 

The research focus of this summer program is based on theoretical perspectives and real-world applications from the Chemical Sciences. Through research application and integration, highly effective and high-impact learning will be most likely to occur in undergraduate students and, by extension, in the chemistry faculty who embrace and embody "engaged" learning.

Students may apply for a research fellowship to participate in 8 weeks of full-time, faculty-mentored summer research in the Chemical Sciences. Students receive up to $4,000 of support and additional funding for supplies (up to $500) and professional travel (up to $500). 

Learn more and apply for the John Stauffer Research Fellows Program

The Overton Summer Research Program in Economics is an exciting opportunity for qualified undergraduate students to pursue their research interests in economics. Students work one-on-one with members of the M.S. Economics faculty to develop, quantify, and prepare original research. Participants are members of an active student research community that fosters collaboration and innovation across disciplines.

Students receive up to $3,600 for 9 weeks of full-time mentored research. Additional funding is available by application  through the OURCS for professional travel and supplies.

Learn more and apply for the Overton Summer Research Program

The Pearson Scholars for Leadership and Engagement in a Global Society program is available to 1 to 2 students in the Global Studies program.  During a 10 to 12 week intensive summer program, Pearson Scholars participate in experiential learning opportunities – "domestic immersion" projects – that expose students to global issues and diverse communities in Los Angeles (and possibly other global cities), and give students the opportunity to be agents of change in society through civic engagement. 

Learn more and apply for the Pearsons Research Fellowship

Cal Lutheran is fortunate to offer this program, thanks to the generosity of the Louis W. and Gladyce Foster Family Foundation. This program is open to undergraduate students who have declared a major or minor in Religion or Theology and Christian Leadership. A maximum of two students, one pursuing a Religion major or minor, and one pursuing a Theology and Christian Leadership major or minor, may receive this award per academic year. The goal of these fellowships is to have students engage in research that is full-time, faculty-mentored, novel, and presentable outside the university.  The quality of the mentoring from the faculty member is vital as the goal of these fellowships is to advance the students in their professional and personal development.  

 Funding

• Nominated students may apply for approximately $4,000 that requires that the student participate in approximately 8 weeks of full-time (40 hours per week) mentored summer research with a Cal Lutheran faculty member. 
• Funds for approved “consumables” can be provided (up to $500). Consumables include printing costs, travel to special libraries, office supplies, etc.  Consumables do not include dining costs, books or films, payment for subjects or non-essential travel costs. All expenditures must be approved prior to purchase by the OURCS. 
• Faculty compensation is $500 per student.

Eligibility

This program is open to undergraduate students who have declared a major or minor in Religion or Theology and Christian Leadership. (A maximum of two students, one pursuing a Religion major or minor, and one pursuing a Theology and Christian Leadership major or minor, may receive this award per academic year.)

Selection of the awardee is left to the discretion of the Religion Department Faculty Chair in concert with the Religion Department faculty.

The SURF program is a university-supported program that supports undergraduate research and creative scholarship in disciplines not supported by our other research programs. In particular, it supports projects that are NOT in the Natural Science Division, the Economics Department, or the Global Studies program.

Up to 5 awards may be given for each summer. The goal of these fellowships is to have students engage in research or creative scholarship that is full-time, faculty-mentored, novel, and presentable outside the university. Projects across a broad range of disciplines are desired, but all must meet the criteria of engaging students in the scholarly process of a field. Creative work projects must be able to provide ample focus on the scholarly process, not just the outcome.

Students receive up to $4,000 of support and additional funding for supplies (up to $500). Faculty compensation is $500 per student. In addition to the Research Fellowship, a student may apply to  receive up to $500 for professional travel, supplemented by OURCS.

Learn more and apply for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship