Sophomore/Junior Monroe Scholar Research

A guaranteed grant opens doors to new opportunities - and new knowledge in the realm of discovery.

All Sophomore/Junior Monroe Scholars submitting an eligible proposal can receive a one-time $4,000 grant to conduct an in-depth summer research project lasting 7 full-time weeks (or an equivalent amount of time spread over the summer). Many students use this as a springboard for further research, such as an Honors project or independent study.

Deadline: The application is due March 3, 2025.

Apply Here

Review Rubric

Each application for a research grant will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Clarity of proposal: Is there a well-defined research question? Does the student clearly convey the impact/big picture of the research project?
Is the proposal well written? Could a layperson understand the main points of the proposal?
Methodology: Is the methodology of the project explained clearly and in detail? Is project a timeline provided? Do the research steps make logical sense?
Preparation: Candidate’s academic or other preparation for project․ Does the candidate have sufficient background or training such as coursework, research, etc․ (formal or informal), to make the project a success? (This is based on transcript and prior experience, which may be reflected in the personal statement․)
Feasibility: Feasibility of proposed project․ Does the candidate have access to the necessary resources to make the project a success? Can the proposed work be completed in the proposed timeline (i.e. 7 weeks)? Does the advisor recommendation form indicate a degree of support that will allow the project to be successful?
Proposal Presentation: Does the student demonstrate a clear understanding of the project’s big picture?
Personal Statement: Does the student clearly explains how this project fits within their intellectual trajectory? (Updated 10/2023)

Application Information

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Eligibility

You must be a current sophomore or junior Monroe Scholar in good academic standing enrolled in undergraduate W&M classes (or studying abroad) in the fall following your project.
You must submit an application through the online portal. The proposal will be reviewed by a faculty committee to determine that the project has adequate faculty mentor support and is feasible to complete.
You may complete your Sophomore/Junior project the summer before your junior or senior year. Monroe Scholars who do not complete their research before the beginning of their senior year forfeit the funding.
Monroe Scholars applying for Honors Fellowships are also automatically considered for their junior year Monroe Grant if they did not already use their $4,000 research grant funding sophomore year.
Monroe Scholars cannot apply for two different grants in the same summer. For example, if applying for the Monroe Scholar Sophomore/Junior Grant, they should not also apply for a Charles Center Summer Research Grant or Honors Fellowship.
Students who have been selected for a Charles Center-sponsored internship (such as Woody, City Scholars, etc.) will not be eligible to receive a Charles Center Summer Research Grant or Honors Fellowship during the same summer.
Students already fully funded for research by another internal or external summer grant for $4,000 or more will not be eligible to receive Charles Center funding, in the interest of supporting other students who have no other source of funding.

Application & Funding Timeline

Late October - Application opens
March 3, 2025 - Application deadline
March 6, 2025 - Faculty mentor recommendation form deadline
March 7, 2025 - Deadline to apply for Complimentary Summer Research Housing for those conducting research locally.
March 2025 - Applications will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Research Committee. Your proposal will be read by faculty both inside and outside of your research topic area, so make sure that it does not contain jargon and is understandable to an educated person outside of your field.
Late March/Early April - Students whose project proposals were recommended for revisions before funding are contacted.
First week of April 2025 - Funding notification emails begin to go out. Emails will go out in waves so not all students may be notified at the same exact time.
Mid-April 2025 - Signed award letters and expectations agreements (completed with faculty mentors) are due.
May 2025 - Stipends are disbursed to students as checks mailed to the address specified on the award letter or direct deposit (W&M student employees only)
June, July, & August 2025 - Students conduct research according to the schedules they set with their faculty mentors
September 2025 - Grant recipients present at the Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium
April 2026 - Monroe seniors whose research led to an Honors Thesis may present at the Spring Honors Research Symposium instead of the Fall Symposium

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Getting Started

The first step is to discuss your research project idea with your William & Mary faculty project advisor. Make sure they know that they will be completing a recommendation form for you, mentoring your research, and helping you with your presentation at the Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Access the online application and create an account. Note: if you use your W&M email, make sure to use a different password than the one you use for your school account for security purposes.

Project Proposal Prompts

The project proposal questions will be answered within the online application.

For a general audience, summarize your research question and the significance of its outcome. Please write in the third person (no "I" statements); for example, "This project will explore..." (<150 words)
Discuss your methodology. What is your research plan? Where do you propose to conduct the research? Include a project timeline, making sure that the project lasts a minimum of seven full-time weeks. (Note: the project may be spread out over multiple chunks of time, as long as it lasts at least 280 hours) (<350 words)
What resources are available to you for this project (virtual access to collections/ archives, additional funding, etc.)? (<150 words)
What new knowledge or interpretation will emerge from this proposed project? (<150 words)
What will the deliverable be from your research (article, play, website, story map, etc.)? (<150 words)
Personal Statement: Explain how this project fits into your academic plan. For example, did it emerge from a course you took; is it related to your major; something you are doing to prepare for graduate school; or an interest that you haven't had a chance to explore yet. After reading your personal statement, a reviewer should understand the context of this project within your intellectual and academic trajectory. (<250 words)
Please provide a list of references/citations for your project proposal. You may use your preferred citation format.
Please list any generative AI tools you have used while writing this proposal and describe how you have used them. Example: “I used Copilot to edit the abstract I had written and provide feedback on improving clarity of language.” See the policy on use of generative AI.

Note: This proposal must be written by the student. However, we do encourage project advisors to read it and make constructive comments.

View Example Responses Here

Proposal Presentation

It's important that you can explain your project to a non-specialist audience in your own words. We want to give you a chance to do this in a non-written format. Please explain your project succinctly in a two-slide, two-minute presentation. DO NOT take a video of yourself, just voiceover narration for two slides. We recommend using Zoom or Powerpoint to record your voice as you display your slides. These slides can include graphs, charts, illustrations, photos, or other visuals that help explain your project proposal. Include your research question, why it's important to you and how you plan to answer the question. Please use this an opportunity to explain the big picture of your project in a dynamic way; do not simply read your proposal. The presentation should be no longer than 2 minutes.

Examples:

Chemistry

History

Neuroscience

Self-Designed: Social Policy and Environmental Studies

Transcript

Upload an unofficial (from Banner self-service), William & Mary transcript, including your spring registration.

Research Ethics Compliance

If applicable, you must obtain approval from the appropriate Research Ethics Compliance committee. Please carefully review the section below for full details.

International Travel

Please review the following information if you plan to travel internationally to conduct your summer research.

1. Review the W&M Travel Alerts website to check the status of your intended destination.

If your country is listed as a Restricted Destination, travel is prohibited and you must adjust your plans to do research in another destination.
If there is a W&M Travel Risk Warning, you must submit an application for approval to the Travel Warning Review Committee through the Reves Center in order for your proposal to be considered for funding.

2. If you are traveling abroad, once you are notified whether your grant is awarded, you will be prompted to provide your information so the Charles Center can purchase your CISI Comprehensive Medical and Evacuation insurance. You will also be required to attend a predeparture orientation session.

Recommendation Form

The William & Mary faculty member who has agreed to be your project mentor must complete a recommendation form on your behalf through the online portal. You must meet to discuss your proposal with the project mentor before registering them in the system. When you enter the faculty member's name and email into the application system, they will be sent a link to complete the form. Please do this before the application deadline, so they have enough time to complete the form. You may submit your application before your faculty mentor completes the form.

The recommendation form is due three days after the application deadline and must be received in order for your proposal to be considered for funding. You are responsible for checking online whether the form has been submitted by the recommendation deadline.

Research Ethics Compliance

If your research involves any of the following, you must submit a request for approval to the appropriate Research Compliance committee before submitting your application. Approval must be obtained before you begin research.

Work involving living human subjects (including surveys, interviews, focus groups, or questionnaires)

Review the information on the Charles Center's Research Involving Human Subjects webpage to determine which committee your research protocol should be submitted to.
You and your faculty mentor/PI must complete the CITI training modules.
Take one of the following steps depending on the nature of your research:
- Submit a proposal to the Student IRB (exempt research)
- Have your faculty mentor submit a proposal to W&M Human Ethics IRB (non-exempt research)
- List your faculty mentor's IRB or EDIRC (School of Education) approval information on the research grant application form if you are working on their research project.
If you have questions, please contact the appropriate person below:
- Undergraduates requesting approval for their own projects that meet exempt IRB requirements: Student IRB (contact Kate Patterson)
- Undergraduates working on a faculty mentor's project or whose research does not meet exempt IRB requirements: W&M Human Ethics IRB ( [[researchcompliance, Research Compliance]])

Work that uses or produces radioactive materials

Speak to your faculty mentor and/or contact committee chair Eric Bradley with questions

Work that involves the use and care of vertebrate animals

You and your faculty mentor/PI must complete the CITI training modules listed as required for the program's course entitled "Investigators, Staff and Students-Working with the IACUC" under the "Laboratory Animal Welfare" curriculum. All personnel whose work involves activities with fish must complete the CITI modules titled either "Working with Fish in Research Settings" or "I work with Zebrafish: Danio rerio".
Work with your faculty mentor to submit a proposal through the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

Work that involves recombinant DNA, or infectious agents, or direct or indirect contact with wild-caught animals that may harbor infectious agents, or any human fluid or tissue.

Please note: It has been determined by W&M that oversight of Select Agents falls under the purview of the Environmental Health and Safety Office. See a complete list of Select Agents and Toxins (pdf). Questions in regard to Select Agents should be directed to Teresa Belback, Director of EHS.

Follow the procedures and guidelines on the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) webpage to submit your proposal.

Charles Center Policy on the Use of Generative AI in Research Grant Proposals

While we expect your proposal to be your original work, we do recognize that some students utilize generative AI tools to edit or get feedback on their writing.
You are in no way required to use AI to help you edit your proposal. You may choose to avoid it entirely. If you choose to use it, you should do so ethically and honestly.
Using Copilot through W&M provides commercial data protection. However, many other tools such as ChatGPT will not keep data private. You should not input private, protected, or proprietary information into these tools. You must ask your faculty mentor for permission before inputting any writing or data from their research into a generative AI tool.
For writing-related questions and personalized assistance, we recommend you make an appointment at the Writing & Communication Center.

On the application, you will be asked the question:

Please list any tools you have used while writing this proposal and describe how you have used them. Example: “I used Copilot to edit the abstract I had written and provide feedback on improving clarity of language.”

Evaluation Criteria

Your proposal will be reviewed by a group of faculty reviewers from inside and outside your field. Sophomore/junior Monroe proposals will be funded provided that the proposed project is feasible and has adequate faculty support. Based on faculty review, some projects may be returned to the student for revision in order to be funded.

Each application will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Clarity of Proposal

Is there a well-defined research question? Does the student clearly convey the impact/big picture of the research project? Is the proposal well written? Could a layperson understand the main points of the proposal?
Methodology

Is the proposed methodology appropriate for the research question being asked? Is a project timeline provided? Do the research steps make logical sense?
Preparation

Candidate’s academic or other preparation for project․ Does the candidate have sufficient background or training such as coursework, research, etc․ (formal or informal), to make the project a success? (This is based on transcript and prior experience, which may be reflected in the personal statement․)
Feasibility

Feasibility of proposed project․ Does the candidate have access to the necessary resources to make the project a success? Can the proposed work be completed in the proposed timeline? Does the advisor recommendation form indicate a degree of support that will allow the project to be successful?
Proposal Presentation

Can the student communicate a clear understanding of the project’s big picture?
Personal Statement

Does the project fit into the student's intellectual trajectory?

Need Help or Inspiration?

Info Session Slides

Review slides from a past information session. Topics include writing an effective grant proposal and approaching the application for your specific discipline.
Past Projects

Interested in knowing more about the kinds of research projects that were funded in the past? Check out presentations from prior symposia.
Undergraduate Research Ambassadors

Meet with an Undergraduate Research Ambassador to help frame your proposal.
Writing and Communication Center

Get feedback and guidance from the Writing and Communication Center.
Charles Center News

Browse Charles Center news stories to see featured student research.

Expectations for Funded Projects

Time

Spend 7 full-time weeks or equivalent number of hours on the project during the summer
Ethics

Comply with all federal and university regulations regarding research ethics compliance
Faculty Mentor

Be responsive to communication and deadlines agreed upon with faculty research advisor, including submission of your final research product
Check-Ins

Respond to Charles Center check-ins during the summer
Mini-Courses

Complete two of the virtual mini-courses offered by Research Librarians in SWEM
Thank You Notes

Complete donor thank you message if directed to by the Charles Center
Photos

Submit two captioned photos of your research in progress to the Charles Center upon request during the summer
Presentation

Present your research at the Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium or Spring Honors Research Symposium (if using funding to work on an Honors Thesis)

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is research?

Student research funded through the Charles Center typically meets all of the criteria listed below.

The research:

Is mentored by a William & Mary faculty member
Has the potential for generating new knowledge or interpretation

Students participating in the research:

Are involved in the synthesis and analysis of the project
Understand the academic context of their research well enough to explain it to various audiences

What is the "deliverable" of my summer research?

Many students finish with a research paper, but that might not be the best product for everyone. For example, if you’re doing a creative project, you might end with a painting, sculpture or novella. Scholars working in labs might have their lab results as their final products. You will work with your faculty mentor to determine what is the most appropriate final result of your project.

Who do I contact if I have questions about the online application?

For questions concerning a technical issue with the online application system, email support@slideroom.com or visit the SlideRoom Application Help Center.

Who do I contact if I have questions about the grants and application process?

Please submit general questions about the scholarships and/or application requirements to Charles Center.

What if things don't go as planned and I need to switch projects after receiving funding?

Funding decisions are evaluated based on the project information you submit on your application. Changing your project after being approved for funding is significant and should be discussed with [[kmpatterson,Kate Patterson]] as soon as possible.

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Can I use the funding to study abroad?

You may not use the grant for a summer study abroad program. If there is a program where you can take a course that is pertinent to your research, you may count the time you spend on that class toward the seven total weeks. For example, if you're doing a study on Virginia Woolf and the W&M in Cambridge program is offering a course on Bloomsbury, you may use the hours spent in that class toward the seven weeks, but you may not count the entire five weeks of the Cambridge program. You must complete the rest of the seven weeks of research either before or after the study abroad session. You should articulate the timetable clearly in your project proposal.

I have secured a research position at an off-campus location this summer. Can I apply to use Monroe money to support this opportunity?

The goal of the Charles Center is to provide rigorous undergraduate research experiences for our students, so we are happy to fund students doing external research experiences. However, the definition and conduct of research vary widely across institutions. To ensure that the activity follows the university's guidelines, we require students to be sponsored by a W&M professor who understands the nature of the research experience that you are proposing. For example, if you propose to be a research assistant for a non-profit organization focused on conservation of whales, your mentor should be a professor who studies conservation, whales, biology or a related field.

Can I have an internship (or other full-time opportunity) and also receive a Monroe Scholars Research Grant in the same summer?

Students accepting a grant commit to spending 7 weeks of full-time work or a total of 280 hours spread throughout the summer on the project. Committing to a full-time internship, job, courseload, or other summer experience at the same time you are conducting your research will not leave enough time to follow through on the research grant commitment.

You may incorporate an external internship into your project only if you are able to dedicate at least seven full-time weeks to the project. For example, if you are doing a full-time, seven week, unpaid internship with an environmental non-profit organization and this non-profit permits you to dedicate full-time to your research project, you are eligible for funding. If your work with the non-profit is a fully paid job, you may not receive Charles Center funding because 100% of your time is already committed.

You can only receive one Charles Center-funded research grant or internship opportunity per summer (this includes Monroe Scholar funding, the Catron grant, and Charles Center-sponsored internships (such as Woody, Freeman, City Scholars, etc.)

Can I receive Monroe funding AND additional funding from another source?

Students already fully funded for research by another internal or external summer grant for $4,000 or more will not be eligible to receive Monroe funding, in the interest of supporting other students who have no other source of funding.

Can I apply for both a Monroe Scholars Research Grant and a Charles Center Summer Research Grant or Honors Fellowship during the same summer?

No. Monroe Scholars who have not yet received their sophomore/junior year funding should apply for it rather than a Charles Center Summer Research Grant.

We recommend that rising seniors planning to complete Departmental Honors who can commit 10 weeks to their summer research apply for an Honors Fellowship rather than a Monroe Scholars Research Grant. If your application does not receive a strong enough score from reviewers for full Honors Fellowship funding, you are still automatically considered to receive a Monroe Scholars Research Grant instead if you have not already utilized your Monroe Scholars funding.

If I use my Monroe funding the summer after my sophomore year, can I apply for a Charles Center Summer Research Grant or an Honors Fellowship for the summer after my junior year?

Absolutely! Scaffolding research experiences over multiple summers is highly encouraged.

Need Complimentary Summer Research Housing?

A limited number of undergraduates conducting summer research at William & Mary during Summer 2025 are eligible to receive free on-campus housing. The application link and process timeline can be found below.

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Upcoming Research Events

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The Charles Center

Application Questions

Contact: Kate Patterson, Undergraduate Research Program Administrator
Email: [[kmpatterson]]
Office: Blow Hall 267

Address

262 Richmond Road Williamsburg, 23185

Page Contents:

Application Information

General Information

Preparing Your Application

Research Ethics Compliance

Charles Center Policy on the Use of Generative AI in Research Grant Proposals

Charles Center Policy on the Use of Generative AI in Research Grant Proposals

Please list any tools you have used while writing this proposal and describe how you have used them. Example: “I used Copilot to edit the abstract I had written and provide feedback on improving clarity of language.”

Evaluation Criteria

Clarity of Proposal

Methodology

Preparation

Feasibility

Proposal Presentation

Personal Statement

Need Help or Inspiration?

Expectations for Funded Projects

Time

Faculty Mentor

Check-Ins

Thank You Notes

Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Questions

Funding Questions

Need Complimentary Summer Research Housing?

Upcoming Research Events

Would you like to learn more?

The Charles Center

Social Media

Application Questions

Address