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Collaborative Student-Faculty Research at Dickinson

Chemistry student-faculty research

What is Collaborative Student-Faculty Research?

A Collaborative Student-Faculty Research project occurs during the summer for a period of up to 8 consecutive weeks. The project can be in any discipline and should concern a significant scholarly question or creative pursuit. Dickinson expects a close working relationship between the student(s) and a faculty member. The student role must be truly collaborative, and a substantial final outcome is expected, such as a co-authored publication or presentation. The application narrative must provide a detailed explanation of the role of the student(s).

These differ from Dana Research Assistantships because the student(s) and the faculty member work as collaborators. 

What criteria are used to grant Student-Faculty research funding?

Collaborative Student-Faculty Research grants are awarded by the R&D Committee using the following criteria:

  1. Quality: What is the quality of the project in terms of significance, originality, and intellectual merit?
  2. Dickinson's preferred model expects a close working relationship with an experienced faculty member. Given available funding, the committee will consider requests for an additional student if there is a compelling rationale in the proposal. 
  3. The college expects summer student collaborators to make a full-time commitment, within consecutive weeks, for the length of the project - since student stipends are paid bi-weekly and housing is paid weekly. Any interruptions to the project dates can add to the cost of the project. Because of this, we require you to hire students who will be able to work with you for consecutive weeks for the duration of the project.
  4. Clearly defined outcomes from the research will be an important evaluation criterion in the award process. Future independent research honors thesis work for the student, joint papers, presentations or public theatrical performances or exhibitions are examples of desired outcomes.
  5. Finally, R&D looks to the ancestry of the project. The applicant's previous history of grant applications should indicate the ability to accomplish what was promised, to use awarded funds prudently, and to file final reports as required.

In addition, the generosity of donors who have contributed to the endowment supporting Student Faculty Research has made it possible to periodically fund projects in the following specific areas:

  • The Betsy Logtens Student-Faculty Research Fund gives first preference to a team researching clinical neuroscience.
  • The Narol-Console Student-Faculty Research Fund supports a worthy student-faculty research team with preference given to research conducted in the disciplines of History and Political Science. 
  • The Nellie Neide Higgins Student-Faculty Research Fund supports a research project in Classical Studies of Archaeology.
  • The Bernard A. and Rebecca S. Bernard "Engage the World" Fellowship endowment supports projects related to the study of the Jewish experience, with first preference for a project doing study abroad in Israel; second preference for research or creative projects related to the Jewish experience or Israel; and third preference for projects related to global education. 
  • The Betsy Strite Freet '68 Faculty-Student Research Fund gives preference for a project involving economics. 
  • The Ralph Minker Peace Fund for Student-Faculty Research honors Rev. Minker's military service as a pilot during World War II, his work in the nation's civil rights movement, and his lifelong commitment to peace.  It supports a worthy team focused on research that forwards the cause of peace. 
  • The G. Lee George Student-Faculty Research Fund honors his philosophy and his belief in the value of the education that he missed.  Preference is given to projects in his field of business. 
  • The Robert D. and Barbara C. Crouch Student Faculty Research Fund honors the parents of Professor David Crouch and has a preference for teams conducting research in chemistry or biochemistry and Molecular biology. 
  • The Van Buskirk Student-Faculty Research Fund for Environmental Fieldwork supports projects in any discipline, with first preference to projects involving environmental fieldwork. 
  • The Robert Allan Jansen Memorial Student-Faculty Research Fund is awarded for a team involving an Earth Sciences (first choice) or Environmental Sciences/Environmental Studies (second choice) sophomore or junior (or to a sophomore or junior in a closely related field of study in the sciences).
  • The George Allan Student-Faculty Research Fund honors George's philosophy and belief in the value of collaborative work and active engagement in learning, as well as his long association with Dickinson.

How are these projects supported?

Student-faculty research grants are usually substantial, providing stipends to the faculty member ($500 per week) and the student ($450 per week) for up to 8 continuous weeks, the student's room in on-campus housing (or on-site equivalent), and the expenses of the project. (Please note: if the project is on-campus, the student will be expected to live in campus housing during the time of the project.) The project dates must conform to the student housing constraints for the summer.  Expenses are limited to $2,000 per summer for materials and supplies which can include software, databases, reagents, small equipment, etc., and $2,000 for project-related fieldwork travel (not travel to present). Students who plan to present the results of the research conducted can apply for Kenderdine grants (up to $1,400) to support travel to a conference.

Information about other sources of funding for student travel and research can be found at:
Center for Sustainability Education

Special application instructions for this program:  

Special reporting requirements for just this program:
Timely submission of a final report prepared by the student-faculty team is required. Please also note that Student-Faculty Research awardees will be required to complete responsible conduct of research training through the online CITI program.  

The final report should include:

  • A summary of the research completed, including methods and results
  • The role of the student researcher, for example, how they participated in the research, what they accomplished as well as how the student benefited from this experience (what they learned and how any new specific knowledge will aid them in the future, who they met or what contacts were made during the course of the research experience)
  • An accounting of how any funds were spent
  • Bibliographic citations for any publications and/or presentations which resulted from the research; are in progress; or are planned.
  • Additionally, students are to attach to the final report a 500-word statement, stating what they accomplished as well as what they learned from this experience.    
  • The report must be submitted electronically to randd@dickinson.edu.


**Please note that any travel more than 50 miles from campus requires that the student be registered through the on-line trip system. Details for this can be found by logging onto CLIQ, going to the "general" tab and travel system.