The Summer Research Scholars (SRS) program supports students in collaborative research and creative projects supervised by W&L faculty. The program aims to encourage the development of research techniques within a particular discipline, to promote the active acquisition of knowledge, and to stimulate student interest in inquiry. It is also intended to aid undergraduate faculty in their research activities by providing student researchers for whom the projects will be meaningful and educationally valuable. The supported research is carried out during the summer months and is open to students of all disciplines.
Faculty SRS Proposal Process
There are three rounds of recruitment for Summer Research Scholars (please see Administrative Deadlines for exact dates). Proposals are submitted to the Director of Fellowships and Student Research via the online portal and should contain the following information:
Project title
Estimated project start date (must be in June)
Estimated project duration (6, 8, or 10 weeks)
Maximum number of student researchers sought (up to 3 can be supported by funding from the Provost's Office; additional students can be supported by department or external grant funding)
Brief project description
Prerequisites for student researchers, if any (e.g., if a student should have completed specific coursework before the project begins)
Other relevant information (e.g., fieldwork required, virtual research an option, etc.) Following each proposal deadline, proposed research projects will be posted on the SRS project website, and students will have approximately three weeks to apply to projects via an online application form. Faculty research mentors will make final student selection decisions.
Recognition:
All students receiving SRS grants will be known as Summer Research Scholars. Funding for the SRS program comes from a variety of endowed funds. The Robert E. Lee Research Fund was established in 1960 through a gift from the late Dr. Gustavus Benz Capito, an 1899 graduate of Washington and Lee. Additional support has come from various sources, including the Christian A. Johnson Foundation and the E.A. Morris Foundation. Several outstanding students will receive special designation as Christian A. Johnson Scholars, E.A. Morris Scholars, a Megan E. Rigdon Scholar, or a J. Peek Garlington Scholar.
Summer projects may include six, eight, or ten weeks of service. Opportunities can be completed on campus, virtually, or some combination of the two. The project may not begin before the first Saturday after commencement, nor can it continue beyond the first day of fall term classes. All projects must begin in June. Funding for additional supplies needed for the project may be requested from the Department Head or in the Lenfest Summer Grant proposal.
