Schupf Scholar Program

Summer 2024

Application Deadline: Friday, february 2, 2024

The Schupf Scholar Program will provide funding for Skidmore students to undertake science research, in collaboration with a faculty member, during the summer following the students’ first or second year on campus and through the following academic year. All freshman and sophomore students will be eligible to apply to the program, but selection will be competitive, with applications evaluated by the FDC. Applications will be judged on the potential of the student to undertake a successful collaborative research project, his/her success in finding a faculty partner and the scientific merit of the project itself.

Preference will be given to students pursuing projects in STEM disciplines and engaged in laboratory or field-based research activities. The Schupf Scholars Program will give special attention to female students whose interests and/or research are in the sciences with low female representation (e.g., chemistry, mathematics, computer science, geosciences, or physics), or students who are doing interdisciplinary science research involving the physical sciences and mathematics or computer science.  

In addition, Schupf Scholars will have the opportunity to access additional funds that could serve a number of purposes, including materials, travel to conferences, and supplies. Schupf Scholars are expected to present their work externally, such as a publication and/or a conference presentation.  Finally, Schupf Scholars will receive encouragement and assistance to continue their collaborative research work with faculty members into their junior and senior years and to consider graduate and professional school in the natural sciences.

Projects:

• May advance the research agenda of the faculty member
• May be student-initiated
• May be collaborative but could also include other kinds of mentoring experiences

The project period will include participation in the 10-week Faculty Student Summer Research Program as well as continuing research throughout the following year. The project should be defined in such a way as to permit completion of a substantial portion of the project by the end of the 10-week period. Participants in this summer research program are expected to work from campus for the duration of the program. However, if remote off-site work is required, a project may involve time spent at another location (e.g., as part of field work for data collection purposes).  In this case, the proposal must include a rationale for this special request.

Each team will give an oral report on the planned project, explaining goals and methods, early in the period; participate in a discussion about the Faculty Student Summer Research Program in early July; and submit a final report, demonstration, poster, exhibition or other appropriate activity on progress and achievements at the close of the summer session. If the project involves time spent at another site(s), participants are required to attend the opening and closing summer sessions. A final written report is due from both the student and faculty member no later than May 15 in the year following the summer program.

The Schupf Scholar Program is highly competitive and funding is limited.  Faculty/Student teams wishing to participate in the Schupf Scholar Program should submit an application to the Office of the DOF/VPAA by February 2, 2024. The FDC will communicate its selection of funded proposals to all applicants prior to spring break. The application should consist of the following clearly marked components:

1. The names of the student and faculty team members. Indicate if either has participated in the Faculty Student Summer Research Program before, and if so, when.
2. The title of the project.
3. A description of the project (500 words maximum) written in a fashion comprehensible to non-specialists.
4. A statement written by the faculty member providing a description of the working relationship with the student and how the experience benefits the student's educational, professional, and/or creative goals.
5. A statement written by the student providing a description of the working relationship with the faculty member and how the experience benefits his/her educational, professional, and/or creative goals.
6. A statement of the goals, proposed activities, and format of the final outcome (e.g., journal article, exhibit, website, conference presentation, etc.).
7. An itemized budget listing the costs of equipment and supplies needed to complete the project. The Schupf Scholar may apply for travel funds in the initial application and/or at a later date; applications for travel funds submitted after the initial summer period shall be submitted to the Associate Dean of Faculty and should include a detailed rationale for the travel and an itemized list of requested funds.
8. Signatures of both the faculty and student applicants.
9. Proposals that involve human subjects or the use of human tissues are subject to the requirements of the College’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). IRB guidelines, FAQs, and forms are available at: https://www.skidmore.edu/irb . Proposals that involve the use of vertebrate animals are subject to the requirements of the College’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). IACUC guidelines and forms are available by contacting the IACUC Chair. IRB and IACUC approvals are not a prerequisite to submitting a Schupf Scholar proposal but are required prior to the commencement of the research.

1. An itemized expense form and receipts for expenditures that supported the work of the project.
2. A brief written summary.
3. A description of the future educational and professional plans of the student participants, including plans for additional research in their junior and senior years.
4. All materials and/or equipment purchased with the aid of grant funding become the property of Skidmore College when the funded project is completed.