Provost Undergraduate Research Initiative – Call for AY2025-2026 Applications
The College of Social Science has renewed funding for the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative program in the College of Social Science (CSS-PURI) for Fall 2025-Spring 2026. This program supports undergraduate research through awards of up to $1,000 per semester (up to $2,000 per academic year) per student.
The CSS-PURI program provides talented undergraduates, from first-year students to seniors, with an opportunity to work closely with faculty on substantial research projects—usually, but not exclusively, as part of the faculty member’s own scholarly project. Student researchers report that their experiences have been transformative, enabling them to integrate and apply the knowledge, methods, and skills they have learned in new and challenging environments outside the classroom. Many have delivered conference papers, shared authorship of published articles, or presented work at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) based on the research they have conducted as part of this program.
The College requests CSS-PURI proposals from faculty who wish to participate in this program. Student researchers have usually worked either one-on-one with a faculty member or as members of a research team involving faculty and graduate students. Both models are acceptable. The College will also consider funding innovative approaches to undergraduate research, including unit or multi-unit research training programs for first-year students or projects attached to study away or study abroad programs.
Proposals are due on [TBD Fall 2025].Decisions will be announced by [TBD].
PROPOSAL
Faculty proposals must include the following information and must be submitted through a form on the CSS website. Late proposals will be considered if funding is available.
A statement about the research project, its stage in development, and the specific research tasks to be assigned to the undergraduate researcher(s). This statement must include the beginning and end date of each student’s involvement in the project and a description of the final research product to be delivered by each student. We require students to present their research at UURAF (with waivers of this requirement in exceptional circumstances). A commitment to UURAF should be evident in the application.
A statement of student learning outcomes and how those outcomes will be assessed by the faculty mentor.
Budget Proposal. A budget that states precisely how the funds will be spent (see below for guidelines). It is important to comply with these guidelines.
The name(s) of the student(s) selected, if available at the time of submission. If your proposal involves more than one student conducting their own project, include both students on the proposal and collect emails acknowledging participation from both students. For individual student projects, the limit is two students per faculty mentor. It is not necessary to submit separate applications for each student in these cases. Note that student duties and learning outcomes must be specified for each student researcher individually.
We will also consider proposals that do not name particular students but are designed to give a group of students shared research project experience. If it is an unnamed group, we will be contacting you at a later time for student information and signatures. Please indicate the estimated number of students in the proposal. Proposals that name up to two specific undergraduates who have agreed to participate in the program will be given priority.
BUDGET GUIDELINES:
CSS-PURI funds may be allocated as follows:
Stipend or travel for undergraduate research must make up at least 80% of the total budget. Since there are other funds available to support travel (see below), we ask that applications minimize travel costs to the extent possible.
No more than 20% can be used for supplies/equipment related to the research.
The sponsoring department or school will be responsible for the administration of funds, including ensuring proper allocation and expenditure. As in past years, PURI awards require unit matching of 25%. So an award that is for the maximum amount of $2,000 for fall and spring will require a $500 match from the unit.
The College of Social Science and the Office of Undergraduate Research have separate travel funds available to student researchers. Student researchers are eligible to apply. Travel funds require unit matching, and the College also provides matching funds.
Note that for the past several years, Summer PURI funds were available, with an application process in late Spring, so do not include Summer requests in this round of proposals.
PROPOSAL ASSESSMENT:
The budget for PURI is limited and the awards are made on a competitive basis. Proposals will be ranked based on
The extent to which projects meet the purpose of the program, which is to help undergraduate students develop advanced research skills in the social, economic, and behavioral sciences that they will apply as advanced undergraduates, in their careers, or in graduate or professional school.
How much faculty are involved as mentors in helping students understand the nature of research in a field, its application and significance within scholarship or the professions, and the importance of ethical practice in the research.
The extent to which students have the opportunity to demonstrate the accomplishment of the learning goals during the work phase of the project, in their presentations at UURAF, and after their involvement in the project.
How clear and appropriate the learning goals are. The goals might vary with the level research experience of the student and could include demonstrating
mastery of key technologies, techniques, or methods relevant to research within the discipline;
ethical research practices;
the ability to analyze, interpret, or synthesize evidence gathered through primary and secondary research;
the ability to present or write research results for scholarly or professional audiences.
ELIGIBILITY:
Faculty must hold an appointment (including joint appointments) in the College of Social Science. Student researchers must be enrolled College of Social Science majors (second majors are acceptable, additional majors are not) with a 2.0 GPA or better. Priority will be given to students who have not graduated before, or will not graduate during, the PURI funding period. The research can be conducted at MSU, in the USA, or internationally. Team projects that include multiple faculty, graduate students or undergraduates are eligible for consideration, and faculty can propose to fund more than one undergraduate under this program. However, the specific duties, research products, and learning outcomes must be stated for each student researcher individually.
REPORTING & PROGRAM ASSESSMENT DUE APRIL [TBD], 2026:
CSS and the Office of the Provost require reporting and assessment. Every year it is a challenge to get these reports, so please mark your calendars. Each faculty and student participant must submit a written report to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies detailing the research outcomes for the project, an assessment of student learning outcomes (proposed and achieved), and the expenditure of funds (the latter provided by the faculty member). Please ask your student researcher to submit her/his report to you and then forward both to me as a package.
By April [TBD], 2026, the following information should be submitted to my office:
Name of student(s) supported (no PID numbers).
Detailed information on expenditures (a required reporting form will be supplied).
Scholarships and stipends
Supplies and equipment
Conference registration and travel
Other
Assessment of the student’s achievement of learning objectives and an overall evaluation of the student’s contribution to the advancement of the research.
Any presentations, abstracts or publications arising from the research (including citations if applicable and including anticipated conference presentations and publications).
Other indicators of quality.
A 250-word report from the student, summarizing his/her accomplishments and reflecting on the competencies he/she gained from the experience.
Proposals are due on [TBD] 2025
Decisions will be taken by [TBD] 2025
End of year reports will be due on April [TBD], 2026
For more information, contact:
Emily Durbin Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Professor of Psychology
College of Social Science Berkey Hall Phone: 517-355-6673 cdurbin@msu.edu
Provost's Undergraduate Research Initiative (Summer 2025)
Who qualifies: Undergraduates with a 2.0 GPA or better.
The College of Social Science has funding for the Summer College of Social Science Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative (CSS-PURI). This program supports summer undergraduate research with awards of up to $1,500 per student. Students supported by PURI Awards must be currently enrolled College of Social Science majors (second majors are acceptable) with at least a 2.0 GPA.
The CSS-PURI program provides talented undergraduate majors in the College of Social Science with an opportunity to work closely with faculty on research projects. Student researchers report that their experiences have been transformative. Summer PURI funded students are required to present their work at the 2025 MID-SURE event on July 23, 2025 (https://urca.msu.edu/mid-sure) or at the 2026 UURAF.
The College requests CSS-PURI proposals from faculty who wish to participate in this program. Student researchers have usually worked either one-on-one with a faculty member or as members of a research team involving faculty and graduate students. Both models are acceptable, but the maximum size of an undergraduate group working with a faculty member as part of a summer PURI award is two (2) students. However, the maximum awarded to any project is $3,000 (including the unit match).
Proposals are due on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
PROPOSAL
Faculty proposals must be submitted through the online form system on the CSS website.
Faculty must submit using the online form system. If the project involves more than one student, submit a separate application for each student (one application per student participant). Indicate on each application that this is a multi-student project.
Elements of the application must include:
A summary of the research project and the specific research tasks to be assigned to the undergraduate researcher(s). This summary must include the beginning and end date of each student’s involvement in the project and a description of the final research product to be delivered by each student. Students are required to present their research at MID-SURE or UURAF so this commitment should be explicit in the application.
A statement of student learning outcomes and how those outcomes will be assessed by the faculty mentor.
Budget Proposal. A budget that states precisely how the funds will be spent (see below for guidelines).
The name(s) of the student researcher(s). Proposals that name one or more specific undergraduates who have agreed to participate will be given priority. If your proposal involves more than one student, please submit separate forms for each student. Name both students in the narrative, and collect emails acknowledging participation from all students. Student duties and learning outcomes must be specified for each student researcher.
BUDGET GUIDELINES:
CSS-PURI funds may be allocated as follows:
Stipends for undergraduate research must make up at least 80% of the total budget
No more than 20% can be used for supplies/equipment related to the research.
The sponsoring department or school will be responsible for the administration of funds, including ensuring proper allocation and expenditure. As in past years, Summer CSS-PURI awards require unit matching of 50%. Thus, an award that is for the maximum amount of $1,500 will require a $750 match from the unit. Please make sure to discuss funding with your Chair/Director prior to submitting a proposal.
PROPOSAL ASSESSMENT:
Awards are made on a competitive basis. Proposals will be ranked based on:
The extent to which projects help undergraduate majors in the College of Social Science develop advanced research skills.
How strongly faculty are involved in the projects as research mentors.
The clarity and appropriateness of the learning goals for undergraduate researchers.
The likelihood that projects will generate impactful MID-SURE/UURAF presentations.
ELIGIBILITY:
Student researchers must be currently enrolled College of Social Science majors (second majors are acceptable) with a 2.0 GPA or better. Faculty must hold an appointment (including joint appointments) in the College of Social Science. Priority will be given to students who will not graduate before December of 2025. Team projects that include multiple undergraduate researchers are eligible for consideration. However, the specific duties, research products, and learning outcomes must be stated for each student researcher individually.
REPORTING & PROGRAM ASSESSMENT DUE AUGUST 15, 2025:
The CSS and the Office of the Provost require reporting and assessment. Every year it is a challenge to get these reports, so please mark your calendars. Each faculty and student participant must submit a written report to the Associate Dean of
Academic & Student Affairs detailing the research outcomes for the project, an assessment of student learning outcomes (proposed and achieved), and the
expenditure of funds (the latter provided by the faculty member). Please ask your student researcher to submit their report to you and then forward both as a package.
By August 15, 2025, the following information should be submitted to our office:
Name of student(s) supported (no PID numbers).
Detailed information on expenditures (a reporting form will be supplied).
Scholarships and stipends
Supplies and equipment
Other
Assessment of the student’s achievement of learning objectives and an overall evaluation of the student’s contribution to the advancement of the research.
Any presentations, abstracts or publications arising from the research (including citations if applicable and including anticipated conference presentations and publications).
Other indicators of quality.
A 250-word report from the student, summarizing their accomplishments and reflecting on the competencies gained from the experience.
Proposals are due on Sunday, February 23, 2025
Decisions will be announced by Monday, March 10, 2025
End of term reports will be due on August 15, 2025
For more information, contact:
Emily Durbin Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Professor of Psychology
College of Social Science Berkey Hall Phone: 517-355-6673 cdurbin@msu.edu
Dean's Assistantship
Who qualifies: A Social Science junior or senior.
How much: $6,050-$6,300 stipend, working an average of 10 hours per week
How you will benefit: Opportunity to have an enriched independent research experience in the social sciences with a faculty mentor.
Students with a primary or secondary major in the College of Social Science are eligible to be nominated for a Dean’s Assistantship. Juniors and seniors are eligible. The proposed research project normally will be an independent research project in which the student is the primary investigator. However, students who have primary responsibility for a discrete portion of a faculty member’s larger research project may submit proposals. All student researchers must have a faculty sponsor who has agreed to serve as a mentor for the period of the assistantship.
Nominations
Students who are interested in a Dean’s Assistantship are encouraged to contact faculty to propose projects, refine the research plan, and collaborate on the nomination and application processes. Faculty and advisers also are urged to approach highly-qualified students to suggest nomination for this competitive assistantship.
Procedures
The chair or director solicits nominations for the Dean’s Assistantship from faculty. Nominees must then submit an application for the program to the chair or director. The application must include a research proposal, resume, and a letter of support from a faculty sponsor [the letter must express the faculty member’s commitment to mentor the student during her/his research experience]. The research product or outcome—and the form in which it will be submitted—must be specified in the proposal. The chair or director should only forward nominees to the College who submit a research proposal that promises to make a substantial contribution to the scholarship in the field and which can be completed within one academic year. The role of the faculty sponsor must be clearly established, including mentorship, oversight, ownership of research products, authorships, and other relevant details. The chair or director is responsible for oversight of the student researcher and the faculty sponsor.
The student researcher must meet as per agreement with her/his faculty sponsor, provide bi-weekly reports to the faculty sponsor (including time spent on the project), and deliver all research products as scheduled. Furthermore, a dean’s assistant must apply to present her/his research findings at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) in the spring of the academic year in which the award is granted. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in forfeiture of the student’s assistantship. Students who leave the College of Social Science during the period of the assistantship will thereby forfeit their assistantship.
Faculty sponsors are expected to serve as mentors throughout the duration of the assistantship. They are responsible for monitoring research progress, aiding students in resolving research problems, providing advice on appropriate methods, regulations, and ethics in conducting research, reviewing research products, and maintaining records of student work.
The student researcher and faculty sponsor are required to submit a report to the chair or director at the end of the assistantship. The chair or director will review the report and forward it to the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs for review. Chairs and directors should return inadequate reports to the author for revision and resubmission.
Both student researchers and faculty sponsors should contact the chair or director of the sponsoring department or school to resolve disagreements or to report potential violations of University policies. Chairs and directors will consult with the Associate Dean for Academic and Student affairs when such issues cannot be resolved at the unit level.
The student researcher is required to provide the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs with notification of the publication, presentation, or recognition of research sponsored by the dean’s assistantship program.
The student researcher is required to send a letter of acceptance to the Associate Dean of the College of Social Science, upon notification of the assistantship award.
For Students: Preparing the Application
A student who has been nominated for a Dean's Assistantship must submit an 8-part application to the chair or director of the sponsoring department or school. The application will consist of a completed application form; a resume; a one-page abstract; an introduction that includes a clear statement of the hypothesis to be tested; a description of the methodology to be employed; a discussion ofthe outcomes and future application of the research; a bibliography; and a letter of support from the faculty sponsor. The application should not exceed 10 double-space pages [12 pt. font], excluding the faculty sponsor letter of support.
Although there is no rigid format for the proposal, the guidelines below shoud be useful. You may deviate from them where you believe an alternate format will provide a clearer and more convincing presentation of your ideas and plans.
Application Form
The Dean’s Assistantship application form is now available online. All parts must be completed to upload into application.
Abstract - A brief overview of your project helps to orient the Committee to what will follow. One page is sufficient. Provide a brief statement of the background or context in which your research is set, a statement of the hypothesis (or hypotheses) which you will test, the experiment or project which you will carry out to evaluate the hypothesis, and the way in which the data or evidence will be examined in order to evaluate the hypothesis. Finally, include a brief statement about the scholarly significance of your research.
Introduction - The introduction should be a review of the scholarship related to your proposed research. Although the final written report of your project should include a scholarly review of relevant literature, the literature review in the proposal is usually far less comprehensive. The introduction should also make the case for the significance of the problem.
Methodology - The methods section should describe the methods you will use to gather data or evidence. A rule of thumb is to include everything that someone else would need to know to replicate your work. If some decisions about the details of the methodology will depend upon work that you will carry out early in the project, be sure to discuss those decisions and how you will go about making them. Finally, acknowledge any rules regarding research with humans or animals with which your research must and will comply, including compliance with MSU’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies and procedures.
Outcomes - State the specific research product(s) that you will submit to your faculty sponsor at the end of the assistantship [usually an article-length paper, but other formats are acceptable upon approval]. Explain the potential significance of the work, what future research or publications you anticipate will result from it, and whether you believe it will stimulate further scholarly inquiry within your field.
Bibliography - List the references that you cited or consulted to prepare your proposal.
Resume - Copy of most recent resume.
Letter of Recommendation - The role of the faculty sponsor is critical to the success of your project. Although you are expected to take primary responsibility for carrying out your project, it is inevitable that the wisdom, expertise, and resources of your faculty research sponsor will be called upon frequently as you proceed with your work. Although there is not necessarily a “best” model for the arrangement between student and sponsor to ensure appropriate faculty involvement, in most cases students should expect to have significant contact with their sponsor at least bi-weekly. The Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and the College Scholarship Committee require evidence of that degree of commitment from your faculty research sponsor. This should include a specific statement of contact hours between student and faculty and a detailed statement of the form and frequency of reports and delivery of written work. The committee also wants to know your sponsor’s appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses, and his/her opinion of your ability to carry out the project that you have proposed.
Note: Submission of an application for a Dean’s Assistantship authorizes the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs to access your student academic records.
Awards
Dean’s Assistantships provide support for one academic year as an Undergraduate Assistant with a stipend of approximately $5000 - $5600. The Assistantship is a quarter time appointment, meaning that students are being compensated at a rate that implies an average of approximately ten hours per week spent on the project.
For students who have financial aid packages, this appointment may change the composition of your aid package. Please contact Financial Aid for more information.
The number of proposals funded will depend in part upon the number and quality of the applications.
For more information, contact:
Emily Durbin Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Professor of Psychology
College of Social Science Berkey Hall Phone: 517-355-6673 SSC.Student@msu.edu
Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship
Who qualifies: Social Science undergraduate with a minimum of 60 credits.
Students who are interested in the Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship are encouraged to contact faculty to propose projects, refine the research plan, and collaborate on the nomination and application processes. Faculty and advisers also are urged to approach highly-qualified students to suggest nomination for this competitive fellowship.
Procedures
The chair or director, according to unit guidelines, solicits nominations for the Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship from faculty. Nominees must then submit an application for the program to the chair or director. The application must include a research proposal, curriculum vita, and a letter of support from a faculty sponsor [the letter must express the faculty member’s commitment to mentor the student during her/his research experience]. The research product or outcome—and the form in which it will be submitted—must be specified in the proposal. The chair or director should only forward nominees to the College who submit a research proposal that promises to make a substantial contribution to the scholarship in the field and which can be completed within one academic year. The role of the faculty sponsor must be clearly established, including mentorship, oversight, ownership of research products, authorships, and other relevant details. The chair or director is responsible for oversight of the student researcher and the faculty sponsor.
The student researcher must meet as per agreement with her/his faculty sponsor, provide bi-weekly reports to the faculty sponsor (including time spent on the project), and deliver all research products as scheduled. Furthermore, an undergraduate fellowship must apply to present her/his research findings at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) in the spring of the academic year in which the award is granted. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in forfeiture of the student’s fellowship. Students who leave the College of Social Science during the period of the fellowship will thereby forfeit their fellowship.
Faculty sponsors are expected to serve as mentors throughout the duration of the fellowship. They are responsible for monitoring research progress, aiding students in resolving research problems, providing advice on appropriate methods, regulations, and ethics in conducting research, reviewing research products, and maintaining records of student work.
The student researcher and faculty sponsor are required to submit a report to the chair or director at the end of the fellowship. The chair or director will review the report and forward it to the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs for consideration. Chairs and directors should return inadequate reports to the author for revision and resubmission.
Both student researchers and faculty sponsors should contact the chair or director of the sponsoring department or school to resolve disagreements or to report potential violations of University policies. Chairs and directors will consult with the Associate Dean for Academic and Student affairs when such issues cannot be resolved at the unit level.
The student researcher is required to provide the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs with notification of the publication, presentation, or recognition of research sponsored by the Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship program.
The student researcher is required send a letter of acceptance to the Dean of the College of Social Science upon notification of the fellowship award.
For Students: Preparing the Application
A student who has been nominated for the Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship must submit an 8-part application to the chair or director of the sponsoring department or school. The application will consist of a completed application form; a c.v.; a one-page abstract; an introduction that includes a clear statement of the hypothesis to be tested; a description of the methodology to be employed; a discussion of the outcomes and future application of the research; a bibliography; and a letter of support from the faculty sponsor. The application should not exceed 10 double-space pages [12 pt. font], excluding the faculty sponsor letter of support.
Although there is no rigid format for the proposal, the guidelines below should be useful. You may deviate from them where you believe an alternate format will provide a clearer and more convincing presentation of your ideas and plans.
Application form
The Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship application form is now available online. All 7 parts must be completed to upload into application.
Abstract - A brief overview of your project helps to orient the Research Committee to what will follow. One page is sufficient. Provide a brief statement of the background or context in which your research is set, a statement of the hypothesis (or hypotheses) which you will test, the experiment or project which you will carry out to evaluate the hypothesis, and the way in which the data or evidence will be examined in order to evaluate the hypothesis. Finally, include a brief statement about the scholarly significance of your research.NOTE: BOTH YOUR FACULTY SPONSOR AND YOUR DEPARTMENT CHAIR/DIRECTOR NEED TO SIGN YOUR ABSTRACT.
Introduction - The introduction should be a review of the scholarship related to your proposed research. Although the final written report of your project should include a scholarly review of relevant literature, the literature review in the proposal is usually less comprehensive, consisting primarily of those things which relate directly to the project. The introduction should also make the case for the significance of the problem.
Methodology - The methods section should describe the methods you will use to gather data or evidence. A rule of thumb which usually works well is to include everything that someone else would need to know to replicate your work. If some decisions about the details of the methodology will depend upon the work which you will carry out early in the project, be sure to discuss those decisions and how you will go about making them. Finally, acknowledge any rules regarding research with humans or animals with which your research must and will comply, including compliance with MSU’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies and procedures.
Outcomes - State the specific research product(s) that you will submit to your faculty sponsor at the end of the fellowship [usually an article-length paper, but other formats are acceptable upon approval]. Explain the potential significance of the work, what future research or publications you anticipate will result from it, and whether you believe it will stimulate further scholarly inquiry within your field.
Bibliography - List the references which you cited or consulted to prepare your proposal.
Curriculum Vita - Copy of most recent c.v.
Letter of Recommendation - The role of the faculty sponsor is critical to the success of your project. Although you are expected to take primary responsibility for carrying out your project, it is inevitable that the wisdom, expertise, and resources of your faculty research sponsor will be called upon frequently as you proceed with your work. Although there is not necessarily a “best” model for the arrangement between student and sponsor to ensure appropriate faculty involvement, in most cases students should expect to have significant contact with their sponsor at least weekly. The Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and the College Scholarship Committee require evidence of that degree of commitment from your faculty research sponsor. This should include a specific statement of contact hours between student and faculty and a detailed statement of the form and frequency of reports and delivery of written work. The committee also wishes to know your sponsor’s appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses, and his/her opinion of your ability to carry out the project which you have proposed.
Note:Submission of an application for the Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship authorizes the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs to access your student academic records.
Awards
Andrew Undergraduate Fellows shall undertake and complete a research project under the direction and supervision of a College of Social Science faculty member. Awards may provide support for the legitimate costs associated with the conduct of the Andrew Fellow’s research such as library searches, the construction and dissemination of surveys, computer time, and related expenses appropriate to one specific research project. Andrew Fellows will also receive cash awards upon successful completion of their research.
For students who have financial aid packages, this appointment may change the composition of your aid package. Please contact Financial Aid for more information.
The number of proposals funded will depend in part upon the number and quality of the applications.
For more information, contact:
Emily Durbin Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Professor of Psychology
College of Social Science Berkey Hall Phone: 517-355-6673 SSC.Student@msu.edu
Charles Bates Scholarship in the Social Sciences
Who qualifies: Please note: This scholarship will alternate every other year between aiding undergraduate students and graduate students. Beginning AY2024-25, this scholarship will be awarded to undergraduate students and alternate with graduate students every other year.
AY2026-2027 - Not availabe for Undergraduates in AY25-26
For Undergraduate Students: This scholarship is available to undergraduate students who are enrolled in the College of Social Science. Preference is given to students who meet the following conditions:
Students enrolled in the FAME program.
Students enrolled in the Social Science Scholars program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and demonstrated financial need.
Students who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.
Students who have earned the Eagle Scout Award through the Boy Scouts of America and/or served in AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, or AmeriCorps State and National.
AY2025-2026 - APPLICATION OPEN
For Graduate Students: This scholarship is available to graduate students who are enrolled in the College of Social Science. Preference is given to students who meet the following conditions:
Students who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need.
Students who have earned the Eagle Scout Award through the Boy Scouts of America and/or served in AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, or AmeriCorps State and National.
How much: $1,200. Funds may be used to support tuition.
How to apply: Applicants will be asked to write a 1-2 page personal statement indicating the applicant’s academic and career goals AND the ways in which the applicant meets the criteria for the Charles Bates Scholarship in the Social Sciences.
Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Social Science, majoring in Public Administration in the Department of Political Science OR Community Governance and Advocacy in Interdisciplinary Studies, preparing for careers in public policy or public administration in government, non-profit sector public interest association, or private sector organizations that deal with the interrelationship between private enterprise and public policy.
Students must be juniors in the Spring Semester of award year (Spring 2025), who will be seniors in the following academic year (AY2025-2026), and who have completed at least one semester of course work at MSU.
How much: up to $5,000
How it can be used: Tuition
How to apply:
Submit a 2-5 page statement by the student indicating the applicant’s commitment to public administration/public policy including the application’s academic and career goals, objectives intended to facilitate the attainment of these goals, and professional and campus activities already accomplishes in support of these goals.
Submit a student-prepared resume of career achievements to date.
Submit no more than two letters of recommendation from the application’s faculty supervisor, mentor, academic advisers, unit heads, or other appropriate referees.
NOTE: All required materials need to be uploaded prior to submitting the application. A missing requirement makes the application incomplete and may be rejected.
The values of the "Greatest Generation"; hard work, dedication to learning, prudent management, love of family and country, and responsibility to service were exemplified by George A and Alice E Goetz, members of this storied group and in whose name his scholarship has been established.
Who qualifies:
Student who is an active-duty service member or Veteran of the US Armed Forces.
Preference will be given to students who have a major in the College of Social Science.
How much: up to $3,000
How it can be used: Cost of attendance.
How to apply:
Submit a 2-5-page statement prepared by the student indicating the applicant’s military service history and its application to their current academic goals. Students must also elaborate on the values of the "Greatest Generation", hard work, dedication to learning, prudent management, love of family and country, and responsibility to service, and how they personify these traits.
Submit a student-prepared resume of career achievements to date.
Submit no more than two letters of recommendation from the applicant’s faculty supervisor, mentor, academic advisors, unit heads, or other appropriate referees.
NOTE: All the required materials need to be uploaded prior to submitting the application. A missing requirement makes the application incomplete and may be rejected.
The College of Social Science and Matrix: The Center for Digital Humanities and Social Sciences request applications from graduate or undergraduate students in good standing to conduct research that enables the recipient of the award to create a dataset centered on enslaved Africans or individuals of African descent. The recipient will work closely with the Principal Investigators on the project Enslaved.org (www.enslaved.org) and will produce a dataset for submission to and possible publication in the Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation (jsdp.enslaved.org). The recipient will also present their research project to the MSU Black Alumni Association.
To apply, please submit a statement of up to two single-spaced pages detailing your qualifications for the award, ideas you have for a database including the primary sources from which information would be extracted, and reason for applying. Please consider the Enslaved.org Statement of Ethics when discussing your approach to a database: https://enslaved.org/statementofEthics/.
A committee comprised of the Principal Investigators on Enslaved.org will make the award in consultation with the Michigan State University Black Alumni Association.
Contact Dr. Walter Hawthorne with questions: walterh@msu.edu
Walter and Virginia Kalmbach Scholarship
Who qualifies: Students who have graduated from a Michigan high school, whose intention is to pursue a degree in the College of Social Science and have demonstrated academic excellence by maintaining a 3.0 or better GPA during their high school career.
How much: $2,000. Funds may be used to support tuition.
This award may be renewed for up to eight (8) semesters. For the scholarship to be renewed, the recipient must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better and remain enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program from the College of Social Science.
How to apply:
Send a one-to-two-page statement demonstrating the applicant's academic and community achievements, plans while at MSU, and future goals and initiatives the applicant hopes to achieve.
Who qualifies: Freshman, sophmore, or junior social science students who may not qualify for financial aid. Preference given to students from single parent households.
The Randall, Mary, Roger and John Petersen College Scholarship
This award is intended to benefit worthy and capable students within the College of Social Science and may be used to support cost of attendance. This scholarship is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals, and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.
The founder strongly believes that a student's high school GPA and extracurricular involvement do not necessarily indicate their ability to succeed in higher education and beyond. Rather, a student's character and ability to persevere in one's educational goals can be the key to success.
Who qualifies: Applicants must be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time in a primary or second degree major in the College of Social Science. Preference will be given to students from southeast Oakland County (Ferndale, Hazel Park, Berkley, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township, or Madison Heights). Preference will be given to students who have graduated from Ferndale High School. Preference may be given to students who demonstrate financial need. Preference may be given to first-year students with a high school GPA in the lower 80 percent of MSU enrollees.
How much: Up to $15,000. Funds may be used to support cost of attendance.
This award may be renewed for up to three (3) additional years (four (4) years total). The student must demonstrate educational perseverance and progress in completing their undergraduate degree.
How it can be used: Cost of attendance
How to apply:
Send a one- to two-page statement demonstrating the applicant's academic and community achievements, plans while at MSU, and future goals and initiatives the applicant hopes to achieve. It may include examples that demonstrate the applicant's educational potential outside of their GPA or extracurricular affairs. Applicants may include letters of reference if they believe that it would support their application. All materials must be received by the deadline for the application to be considered complete.
Who qualifies: Any Social Science major, with preference to those who attended public schools in Flint, Saginaw, or Detroit, with additional preference given to any such student who is on active or reserve duty, or is a veteran, of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard.
Mary Louise Tavarozzi is a graduate of Michigan State University and a lifelong supporter of education. She is a passionate believer in connecting classroom lessons with real-world experience. Recognizing that there can be a financial challenge with combining college and internship opportunities, this scholarship is intended to support students wishing to experience internship opportunities and to reduce the financial barriers of participation.
Who qualifies: Undergraduate students enrolled in a primary or second degree major in the College of Social Science. Preference will be given to students enrolled in the Social Science Scholars Program or the InnovateGov Program.
How much: $2,000. Funds may be used to support students in unpaid internships.
How to apply: Applicants will be asked to write a 1-2-page personal statement indicating the applicant’s academic and career goals and include a description of the internship and how it aligns with your major and career goals.
Jon & Tina Lynch Family Promoting Civility Scholarship
Who qualifies: Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Social Science who have indicated an interest in promoting civility in public discourse, specifically in the space of public policy, will be eligible for this award.
How much: Two (2) scholarships. $1,500 each. Funds may be used to support tuition, scholarly research, community outreach and engagement, conference attendance, and/or trainings in the public sector.
How to apply: Applicants will be asked to write a 1-2 page personal statement a commitment to promoting civility and dialogue in the space of public policy and governance and how they plan to apply the knowledge, skills, and methods they have learned in their everyday lives to advance the impact of civility outside of the classroom.
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on October 27 th
Applicants will be notified by 5:00 p.m. EST on or before November 10 th
Award Features
Five winners will receive a scholarship at the end of the Fall Semester 2023 for use in Spring 2024. There are two award categories for submission for this scholarship program:
Virtual Advertising Campaign: Top two submissions from category will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
Why Financial Literacy? Campaign: Top two submissions from the category will receive a $750 scholarship. A third honorable mention awardee will receive a $500 scholarship.
Eligibility and Criteria
Applicants must be currently enrolled at Michigan State University and able to receive scholarship distribution in the spring term 2024 (after the winners are announced and officially contacted).
Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be considered (e.g., missing, or un-matched criteria).
Award recipients must submit a letter of acceptance and thank you within two weeks of notification to receive the award. Letters should be addressed to the Go for the Green committee and alumni donor, Mr. Paul Pradel. The letters will be submitted to the committee by Erica Tobe at tobee@msu.edu.
Depending on the amount and type of an applicants’ financial aid package, this award scholarship may change the aid package. If selected as a scholarship recipient, it is the student’s responsibility to investigate whether the award will adversely affect their financial aid.
Submission Requirements
Submissions are due by 5:00pm EST on October 27th. Scholarship applicants will be notified by 5:00pm EST on or before November 10th. Five winners will be selected in total.
Applicants can compete in one (or both*) of the following categories:
Create a Virtual Advertising campaign that highlights the importance of and availability of financial literacy initiatives on MSU’s campus.
The campaign must highlight (at a minimum):
Go for the Green yearly free seminars. To view a listing of the previous seminars, please review the Go for the Green website.
Current Human Development and Family Studies courses focused on financial literacy:
HDFS 138: Introduction to Financial Literacy
HDFS 238: Personal Finance
HDFS 438: Applied Resources Management Practicum
HDFS 454: Family Resource Management
College of Social Science Resource Management Minor for the Individual, Family, and Society
The virtual advertising campaign should include a variety of mediums such as: a logo, short video clips (for use on social media), graphics, news articles, or others. Be thorough and creative. Campaign should include:
The importance of financial literacy for college students
The offerings available under the Go for the Green campaign (see above)
The reason. Explain why MSU (Michigan State University) students should take advantage of and learn about financial literacy.
Submissions must include how best to market this campaign to students (e.g., email, in class presentations, social media). Strategies for marketing must be included in your proposal and answer the question - “What is the best way to disseminate the information you created?”
All submissions must include quality content and appropriate application of the concepts.
Completed submissions should be emailed to Dr. Tobe at tobee@msu.edu by October 27th at 5 p.m. EST. If use of video occurs, video submissions should be uploaded first to MSU Media Space (with permissions set to unlisted) and include a shareable link in an email to Dr. Tobe (tobee@msu.edu).
By submitting an entry to this competition, you are giving the MSU College of Social Science and MSU HDFS faculty and staff permission to use your submission to promote personal finance initiatives.
Create a “Why Financial Literacy?” video that identifies and describes, at minimum, one reason financial literacy is important and three financial literacy tips for MSU students!
The maximum length of the video is 3 minutes.
The video should adequately address one reason financial literacy is important, three financial literacy tips, and appropriately apply any related financial literacy concepts and topics in the submission. Significant weight will be placed on entries that include high quality content and appropriate application of the concepts.
Video submissions should be uploaded to MSU Media Space (with permissions set to unlisted) and the shareable link should be emailed to Dr. Erica Tobe at tobee@msu.edu by October 27th at 5:00 p.m. EST.
By submitting an entry to this competition, you are giving the MSU College of Social Science and MSU HDFS faculty and staff permission to use your submission to promote personal finance initiatives.
*If submitting to both contests the applications must be distinct and follow the directions and considerations outlined for each contest. Copied submissions will not be considered.
Who qualifies: Undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Social Science with financial need who have indicated an interest in a career in non-profit and/or Non-Government Organizations (NGO) will be eligible for this award.
How much: $2,000
How to apply: Applicants will be asked to write a short essay on the impact of women leadership within the non-profit or NGO sector. Additionally, state how their specific life experience relates to their career goals, aspirations, and how one day they may pay it forward.
Deadline to apply is March 21, 2025 - 5:00pm EST Send all materials to Amanda Guinot Talbot at guinotam@msu.edu
Women’s Leadership Institute Experiential Learning Fund
Who qualifies: Undergraduate students engaging in experiential learning (e.g., study away/aboard, internships). Preference will be given to students who are engaged with the Women’s Leadership Institute.
How much: Three (3) awardees, up to $5,000
How you will benefit: Opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge of women leaders and/or leadership equity for women.
How to apply: Applicants will be asked to submit the following: 1) a short essay (500 words or less) on how you plan to utilize the experiential learning experience to research and/or gain a deeper knowledge of women leaders and/or leadership equity for women, 2) current resume, and 3) cover letter.
Deadline to apply is March 21, 2025 - 5:00pm EST Send all materials to Amanda Guinot Talbot at guinotam@msu.edu
The Women’s Leadership Institute Experiential Learning Fund was created with the help of Anita Khushalani, a 1987 graduate of MSU and a member of the WLI executive board. This gift was created to enhance experiential learning opportunities, specifically study abroad, study away or internship programs that will allow students to deepen their knowledge of the critical issues surrounding women’s leadership.
Khushalani has previously given back to the College of Social Science with the establishment of the Dr. Sarla Devidas Khushalani Memorial Scholarship, named after her late mother, in August 2021. Amanda Talbot, Director of the Women's Leadership Institute, hopes that this new fund will serve to promote equity and expand opportunities for young women leaders with the help and support of the WLI.
Gordon and Norma Guyer Public Policy Internship Award
Who qualifies: Any MSU student of any major/year who is participating in a public policy internship.
Open to students in good standing who are majors in the College of Social Science undertaking experience-based learning in the form of an unpaid internship, education abroad program, study away program, or service learning program in summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025.
Amount:
Up to $1,000
To Apply:
Send a one to two page statement about why you wish to participate in experiential learning and how the Cynthia H. Fates Scholarship would enable your participation to do so. Make sure you state what program you will enroll in and why you have chosen that program. Include the dates of the program.
Deadline: Sunday, February 2, 2025
Henderson Experiential Learning Award
Who qualifies: Students majoring in Social Science who will undertake experiential learning (study abroad, study away, or internship) in Summer 2025, Fall 2025, or Spring 2026. Preference is given to Veterans of the US Armed Forces.
How it can be used: Experiential learning opportunities to students which include, but are not limited to, civic engagement and service learning, undergraduate research, study abroad and internships.
Thanks to a generous endowment funded by MSU Social Science alumnus Edwin Adler and his wife Gretchen, the College of Social Science is pleased to offer the Ed & Gretchen Adler Study Abroad Scholarship.
The Adlers gave this gift in furtherance of the continuing MSU commitment to lead in international education and study abroad.
