Competitive awards for student-faculty research teams in American liberal democracy, sponsored by the Center for the Study of American Democracy at Kenyon College

The CSAD Democracy Scholars Program provides opportunities for students to work in close collaboration with faculty members as full participants on some fundamental question, text, or theme of American liberal democracy. Students selected for these competitive awards will receive a stipend, summer housing, and funds for research materials and supplies when necessary. A primary component of the program is the public presentation of the summer scholar's work at the conclusion of the research project.

Proposal submissions are due no later than 12:00pm, February 15, 2013, for the 2012-13 Scholar year. Please use the submission form below. Awards will be announced on March 1, 2013.

Quick Links
CSAD American Democracy Scholars Proposal Form
Guidelines for Preparing Research Proposals
Faculty Mentors Guide
IRB Info

CSAD Democracy Scholars Program, 2012 - 2013

Submit proposals via the Proposal Form no later than 12:00pm, February 15, 2013. Please carefully read the program information below, and then contact Jalene Fox if you have questions.

Summer Research Fellowships - Each student Scholar will be awarded a stipend of $3,500 plus provision of on-campus summer housing. A research budget of up to $500 is also available for each student.

Selection of Awards - Selection of recipients for these competitive summer fellowships will be made by a committee comprised of the Associate Provost, the Director of the Center for the Study of American Democracy, and other faculty, as appropriate.
Proposals are to be written and submitted by the student member of each student/faculty research team. Complete applications for a summer research award must include the following:

• A clear description of the project (in 2 to 4 pages);
• A statement about the qualifications of the student researcher (e.g. relevant coursework, research skills, etc.);
• A schedule for the project (normally 8 weeks in length but may vary from 8 to 10 weeks);
• A letter of support from the faculty mentor, including a statement about the qualifications of the student to successfully complete the project; if the research is part of a project undertaken by the faculty member, the letter should indicate whether the faculty member has grant funding to cover the student stipend and any necessary equipment; faculty mentors should submit their letters directly to the Associate Provost;
• An expense budget and budget narrative (e.g. travel, postage, copying, transcripts, etc.).

Institutional Review Board (IRB) - Students awarded a summer research scholarship whose research involves the use of human subjects, must apply to the Kenyon College IRB for review of their research protocol. Information about IRB application may be found on the IRB web page. Be sure to go to Information for Researchers and pay special attention to "Advice to Students" and "Summer Scholars." IRB applications should be submitted well in advance of the start dates of your program and research.

Equipment and Materials - Students may apply for assistance in meeting the costs of research, including presenting results at a conference. If these requests are funded, any materials, supplies, and equipment will become the property of the College and remain with the sponsoring faculty member's department or the Center for the Study of American Democracy. An estimated budget must be prepared and submitted with each proposal. Costs for equipment and materials or conference travel, if appropriately invoiced and receipted in the Accounting Office and approved by the faculty mentor, may not exceed $500.

Public Talk - CSAD Democracy Scholars will present their research at a public talk before the end of the the Fall 2013 semester.

Final Paper - Students will also be required to submit an electronic copy of the final comprehensive paper that serves as the research project's concluding report by Monday, January 20, 2014. Submit the paper via email to Jalene Fox foxj@kenyon.edu. Students are also encouraged to submit their final papers for publication in an undergraduate journal. Some possible venues for submission are listed here.

Transcript Notation - Students who successfully complete a summer democracy research project in accord with program and project requirements and who receive the endorsement of their faculty mentor will have this summer research experience noted on their College transcript.

September, 2012