The Duke University Center for International Studies announces the availability of awards for undergraduate overseas research to be conducted during Summer 2010.
Deadline for Summer 2010 Competition: Monday, February 15
These awards afford opportunities for full-time Duke undergraduate students to complement classwork with research experience in different social and cultural settings. Project proposals must be research-based. This competition is not able to fund service-learning experiences or internships unless they are done in tandem with an independent overseas research-driven project; the service experience can be part of but not principal to the intended research. Likewise, your budget cannot reflect expenses not associated with the research component (for example, agency fees paid to service sponsors); only travel and living expenses for the research period will be considered in the award amount.
Who is eligible? Rising Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors qualify to apply for the undergraduate summer travel grants. [Current Duke Seniors should look into the Fulbright competition; Fulbright applications are due in late September of your senior year and are intended to fund nine-month long overseas projects commencing the year following graduation. You can also apply for a Fulbright fellowship through Duke after graduation as an at-large candidate.]
Average awards of $2,000 each will be made. In the 2008 award competition, four students received full or partial funding from DUCIS.
Additional Funding Sources: It is recommended that students look to other undergraduate competitions as well, to augment funding for their proposed research. These competitions include those sponsored by the Undergraduate Research Support Office, Asian/Pacific Studies Institute (APSI), Latin American & Caribbean Studies (CLACS), Women’s Studies Program, and the Office of University Scholars and Fellows (OUSF).
Application Requirements: Applicants must submit a proposal for a focused overseas academic research project of a minimum of four weeks duration. The project must be designed to further the student’s acquaintance with a particular country or world region.
Applicants should enlist a faculty sponsor with expertise in the country or on the student’s topic. The sponsor will advise the student in preparing the application and developing a research program. Preparation might include research for the proposal, estimating costs and assessing the feasibility of the project.
Applicants are expected to seek additional funding at Duke and elsewhere, if necessary. In the case of multiple requests to fund the same project, your *entire* budget must be reflected on each application, not just the portion that you are requesting from individual offices.
A completed application must include:
- Application form
- Three- to five-page, double-spaced project statement
- One-page bibliography
- One- to two-page, double-spaced autobiographical statement
- Budget narrative (optional; used to explain unusual items)
- Two letters of support**, one from your faculty sponsor and a second from an instructor who knows your scholarship
- One original Duke transcript
- Letter(s) of support from overseas host institution (if applicable)
NOTE: It is strongly recommended that you personally pick up your letters of reference and bring them with your application package. They must be received in sealed envelopes with an original signature by the referee on the back flap.
A single original completed application package must be received at:
Duke University Center for International Studies
John Hope Franklin Center – Room 105
2204 Erwin Road (diagonally across from Trent Dorm)
Or mailed to:
DUCIS Travel Awards,
Att: Nancy Hare Robbins
Box 90404
Duke University
Durham NC 27708-0404
Deadline for Summer 2010 Competition: Monday, February 15
Faxed applications will not be accepted.
Please contact Nancy Hare Robbins for additional information, including tips on choosing a research topic, building a travel budget, and creating a successful application.
