IPE Summer Research Fellowship

The International Political Economy Program offers grants of up to $5,000 to support student research each summer. Funding for the IPE summer grants comes from the Nicholas Vasilius IPE Endowment Fund. IPE majors are also encouraged to apply for Summer Research Awards provided by the University Enrichment Committee. If a student is awarded a UEC research grant, the IPE department can provide additional funds to bring the total grant amount to $5,000.

Since the application deadline is shortly after the beginning of the Spring semester, students are strongly encouraged to consult with potential faculty research supervisors and begin working on proposals early in the academic year in order to plan appropriately.

Terms and Conditions for the IPE Summer Research Fellowship

1. Applicants must be IPE majors in good standing.
2. The fellowship involves ten weeks of full-time work on a specific project during the summer months (usually but not always between the junior and senior year). The fellowship recipient may not enroll in summer classes, engage in other independent study projects, or hold any employment while engaged in research (an occasional exception may be made for limited part time employment; permission must be obtained from the Director of the IPE Program).
3. The fellowship recipient must email a written report to the Director of the IPE Program by October 1 (if this date falls on a weekend, the report is due on the following Monday). Guidelines on the written report to be submitted.
4. The fellowship recipient must give a presentation during the academic year following completion of research for the IPE Program’s Brown Bag Series. Fellowship recipients will be contacted by the IPE Director early in the academic year regarding the planning of the Brown Bag presentation.

A complete application will contain two copies of:

1. Completed IPE Fellowship cover sheet.
2. Project Statement. Applicants should describe the specific research planned for the period of the grant, explaining the research question, research methodology, and project timeline. Please limit to two single-spaced pages (12 pt. font).
3. Personal Statement. A brief personal statement from the applicant that describes the preparation he or she has for carrying out the proposed work, and that explains how the research will contribute to his or her educational goals. Please limit to two single-spaced pages (12 pt. font).
4. Letter of support from a faculty research supervisor. The faculty supervisor must agree to supervise the project.
5. Bibliography. Applicants should include a one-page carefully selected bibliography of the texts of greatest relevance that will be used and a short listing of other resources or collections to be employed.
6. A Puget Sound transcript (an unofficial transcript is OK)
7. A budget detailing expected direct research expenses such as travel costs, research materials, etc. The purpose of this budget is simply to be sure that the total cost of your project will not exceed the amount of the grant. Your budget need not add up to $5000.
8. IRB approval. IRB Handbook, and IRB Instructions for IPE Students.
9. Travel documentation (if necessary -- see IPE Fellowship cover sheet).

Completed applications must be submitted via Google Form by March 1. If March 1 falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday.

For more information, contact the IPE Director or any IPE faculty member.