Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (SOURCE-AHSS)

Eligibility

All CWRU undergraduate students conducting research in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences are eligible for SOURCE AHSS summer funding. Students must identify a mentor prior to completing the SOURCE AHSS funding application.  Applicants must be continuing as CWRU undergraduates in Fall 2025 and awardees must be registered for fall classes prior to beginning the summer project. Projects must be completed under the supervision of a CWRU faculty member. Eligible faculty mentors include our affiliates at the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, the VA Hospital, University Circle museums and other affiliated institutions. Students may apply for funding to support research and creative projects, including stipend, travel, and materials. In addition, the Undergraduate Research Office will accept applications from students in the arts, humanities, and social sciences for formal volunteer internship programs that connect to students academic studies and/or scholarly work.  Students working on "traditional" research or scholarly projects will be expected to attend 8 educational seminars that are offered weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between May 27 and August 1.  Within reason, the Undergraduate Research Office will work with you to identify sessions that are applicable to your educational goals.  Awardees receive $4000 for full-time summer engagement.  

Students who are awarded full research scholarships ($4,000) cannot enroll in more than one summer class for a maximum for 4 credit hours during the summer. However, SOURCE full-time summer funded students may not enroll in Physics 115, 116, 121, 122, 123 or 124.   If students wish to take a physics course or enroll for more than 4 credit hours over the summer they must apply as a part time applicant. While students may apply for funding for different projects, students may not accept funding for 2 different projects.  In addition, with few exceptions, students may not accept funding from 2 university programs (for example, SOURCE and the Baker Nord Center program) for the same or different project.  If you are accepted into more than one program, you must choose in which program you want to participate. Faculty mentors may (and are encouraged to) supplement SOURCE funding with supplies and/or stipend support.

Application Procedure

Please note: Students cannot save and return to the online application.  It is necessary that students complete all application materials and have them available prior to beginning the online application.  

The online application consists of the following:

1. Completion of all required application questions.  You will need to know your project mentor's department and email.
2. A 3-6 page proposal (double- or single-spaced) following one of the two proposal guidelines listed below.
3. Resume - Please include student groups and leadership activities.

Save your proposal and resume as .pdf.

Proposal Guidelines for traditional research or scholarly projects:

• First Page: Title Page - Your name, major, project title, 3 research descriptive key words, mentor's name, and department only on this first page
• Project Proposal (pages 2-5) - (a) Project background/overview, (b) objective or research question, (c) comprehensive methodology, (d) significance/contribution of the research to the broader field, (e) time commitment required for the project, (f) connection with your educational and career goals, and (g) budget summary
• If your project involves human subjects that require IRB approval, you must include a section in your proposal about where you are in the IRB approval process
• If applicable, please describe how your project relates to energy and/or sustainability.
• Last Page - References (if applicable)
• Please note: 6-page maximum, including title page and references (if applicable). There are strong 4 page applications and weak 6 page applications.

Proposal Guidelines for volunteer internships and other programs specifically for humanities, arts, and social science students ONLY

• First Page: Title Page: Your name, major, project title, 3 research descriptive key words, mentor's name, and department
• Following Pages: Position Title (Example: Archivist for Museum of Natural History)
• Institution/Group (Example: Smithsonian)
• Internship Description - Please also include the program website link
• (Project) Description of expected responsibilities (What will you do?)
• Connection with your present educational experience, include literature citations.
• Connection with your future education and career goals (What will you learn and how does this connect to your future?)
• Time commitment - full time, part-time, beginning date, expected end date
• Application submitted date
• Expected notification date
• Budget summary (may include: flight, housing, board, supplies, fees, etc.)
• If your project involves human subjects that require IRB approval, you must include a section in your proposal about where you are in the IRB approval process
• Repeat the information for each program to which you are applying
• Last Page:  References (if applicable)
• Please note: 6-page maximum, including title page and references.  There are strong 4 page applications and weak 6 page applications.

Application Deadline

The online application deadline is March 7 at 11:59 PM. An application is considered complete when both the online application and the Faculty Mentor Support Form are submitted.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed to confirm that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria. The selection committee will evaluate application files and identify recipients based on the strength and educational value of the proposal, the feasibility of the project, and the overall support of the faculty sponsor.

Funding Announcement

The Undergraduate Research Office will inform students about funding status on or by April 13, 2025.

Online Funding Application

The summer application link below will go live in early January.  EVERYTHING you need to prepare your proposal is here now.