Georgetown University’s Center for Research & Fellowships administers two types of summer fellowship models to support undergraduate researchers across all Georgetown majors:
- One that supports independent research projects
- One that supports mentored research projects.
Generally, student projects are either independent or mentored. Therefore, students should submit an application for only one of these two models.
Information about the academic year 2024-2025 application cycle will become available during the fall 2024 semester.
Independent Research
Undergraduate students who have developed a research project that requires a minimal level of faculty supervision throughout the course of the summer should apply for an independent research fellowship.
Students proposing this type of research must have faculty sponsors who help guide them throughout the course of the project, including providing expert advice about its development and implementation. However, the student-researchers are responsible for developing the project (e.g., question/s, method/s, and timeline) and directing it through its completion.
Note: If the project includes human subjects research, faculty sponsors must agree to serve as the student-researchers’ responsible participant as required by Georgetown University’s Institutional Review Board. If the project involves animal research, faculty sponsors must ensure the student-researchers comply with Georgetown’s policies.
The CRF houses two programs for independent research:
- Kalorama Fellowship (Current first-year, sophomore and junior students in the humanities, social sciences, and environmental sciences can apply for up to $5,000. Students working on part-time Kalorama awards may receive up to $2,500.)
- Lisa J. Raines Fellowship (Current sophomore and junior students in any major can apply for up to $5,000. Projects may be collaborative with two student researchers; if that is the case, each student on a collaborative project will receive up to $2,500. Raines Fellows must attend a weekly summer seminar.)
Mentored Research
Undergraduate students who are working on a professor’s research project or a closely related one of their own design and require a significant level of faculty supervision throughout the course of the summer should apply for a mentored research fellowship.
Students proposing this type of research must have faculty mentors who are directly involved in the development of the project and its ongoing implementation.
Note: If the project includes human subjects research, faculty mentors must agree to serve as the student-researchers’ responsible participant as required by Georgetown University’s Institutional Review Board. If the project involves animal research, faculty mentors must ensure the student-researchers comply with Georgetown’s policies.
The CRF houses one mentored model:
SMURF – Summer Mentored Undergraduate Research Fellowship (Current first-year, sophomore, and junior students in any major can apply for up to $5,000 for a full-time project. Students working on part-time SMURF awards may receive up to $2,500.)
Additional Opportunities
Provost’s Distinguished Undergraduate Research Fellowship (Current sophomore and junior students in any major can apply for up to $6,000. Applicants to Kalorama, Raines, and SMURF, with a GPA of 3.85 or higher, can opt in for consideration to be Provost’s Fellows.)
Eligibility and Rules
- Applicants must be currently enrolled Georgetown University undergraduates to apply and during their participation in the fellowship program.
- CRF-sponsored summer research fellowships are an equal opportunity to all current Georgetown University undergraduates regardless of immigration status.
- In general, acceptance of a CRF-administered fellowship award precludes students from having full-time summer employment or another summer research award.
- Students can only participate in one CRF-sponsored fellowship if admitted to multiple.
- Full-time projects should equal about 40 hours each week during the 10 weeks of summer research. Part-time projects should equal about 20 hours each week during the 10 weeks of summer research. Collaborative projects (Raines only) should equal about 20 hours each week for each of the two student collaborators during the 10 weeks of summer research – totaling 40 hours each week for 10 weeks.
- Students proposing part-time Kalorama or SMURF fellowship projects can submit either a 5-week (consecutive) timeline of full-time research work or a 10-week timeline of part-time research work. Raines Fellows participating in a collaborative project must be able to attend all 10 weekly summer seminars.
- Students must have a Georgetown Supplier ID established at the time of application. (If possible, it is best to select the ACH/direct deposit option. Old mailing addresses [e.g., a previous residence hall address] will significantly delay payment.) If you previously applied for a Supplier ID, check that it is still active on the Office of the Chief Financial Officer’s website. If the Supplier ID is inactive, you will need to apply for a new one.
- Any non-US citizen who receives funds through the summer research fellowship programs must complete a Glacier account.
- Summer research grant awards administered by the Center for Research & Fellowships cannot be used for academic course credit.
- All application materials, including the letter of recommendation, must be submitted by the deadline to be considered.
- Applicants proposing to conduct research outside of the United States as a part of their project must complete the steps outlined on this webpage, before their proposed travel begins, in order to be considered for award funding. Please email undergradresearch@georgetown.edu with the results of the process. This official authorization is necessary in order for CRF to initiate payment to summer fellows.
- Students who are accepted into one of the fellowship programs agree to turn in a research project following the guidance outlined in their award letters, as well as to follow all requirements outlined in the award letter.
- Students who are admitted to a fellowship program must sign and date their award letter, and return it to the CRF. Award letters will be sent via DocuSign.
Payment Information
More information about payments will be included in accepted students’ award letters.
- Having an active Supplier ID with up-to-date information (e.g., direct deposit, mailing address) and having signed and dated the award letter will help ensure payment occurs in a timely way. We highly recommend that you set up direct deposit if this is an option.
- Note: If you choose to have a check mailed to you, it is crucial that you have an up-to-date mailing address. Having an old mailing address will significantly delay receipt.
Contact Information
Please write to undergradresearch@georgetown.edu with questions or to join our listserv.
(Updated August 2024)