Inquiry-based learning reaches its pinnacle in scientific research. For this reason, Calvin College for many years has encouraged and arranged research opportunities for its students. One of these occurs during the summer when students work with faculty and receive salary support in the form of summer research fellowships. Fellowship funds come from a variety of sources. Some come from generous private donors who know or have experienced the importance of undergraduate research. Other opportunities are supported by various grants that faculty have obtained. These include grants from National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation. Still more funds are provided by Calvin College and by the Alumni Fund. All of these funding sources have the same goal: to enhance and expand inquiry-based learning opportunities for undergraduate students in the sciences.
2008 Summer Research Fellowship Program Funding
2008 Summer Research Timeline
February 1: faculty project proposals are due
February 5: student applications are available
February 15: student applications are due (if you are studying abroad, you may send in your application as an email attachment to eas22@calvin.edu)
March 7: award notification target date
- 2008 Faculty Project Proposal Form (Word | pdf)
- Student Summer Research Fellowship Policy (for Faculty)
- Summer Research Fellowship Details (for Students)
- 2008 Student Application Form (Word | pdf)
Science Division Summer Research Poster Fair
Each year the Science Division hosts a research exposition designed to acquaint the Calvin community and the general public with the research activities of students within the Division. Students prepare posters that describe their research and the posters are displayed in the Atrium (front entry area) of DeVries Hall. The 2008 exposition is from 12:30 - 3:30 pm on Friday the 24th of October. Students are present to meet visitors and informally describe their work. Thereafter, the posters remain on display for approximately two weeks.
2008 Research Poster Fair Timeline
Friday, October 3: Last day to send poster to Instructional Graphics for printing
Thursday, October 23: Posters set up
Friday, October 24: Exposition 12:30 - 3:30 pm
Friday, November 7: Posters taken down
Non-Calvin Summer Research Opportunities
Undergraduate research opportunities also exist at other institutions. These positions offer a stipend and often a travel or housing allowance.
- The National Science Foundation funds Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs at institutions around the country.
- Summer Fellowship program from the Council for Undergraduate Research (provides money for students to do research with a faculty mentor on the student’s home campus).
- Department of Energy
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Central Europe Summer Research Institute
- Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, situated in Southwest Michigan, offers hands-on and practical field experience through undergraduate research. Summer research grants are available.