Davidson Research Initiative
The Davidson Research Initiative (DRI) offers a wide range of opportunities for close collaborative research and in-depth study between students and faculty during the summer.
Sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply for DRI Summer Research Fellowships in any discipline. When applying for a DRI opportunity, a student must specify whether the project they plan to pursue is an independent project designed solely by the student for training purposes, or a project that is intended to further an existing vein of a faculty member's research. In the case of the latter, the student must be able to articulate (in the proposal) the unique contribution they will be making to help advance the faculty mentor’s work.
Collaborative research project proposals, involving two to four students, will be accepted. However, collaborative project proposals must be written and submitted by each student individually. Applications will be reviewed and rated as one project.
Under current policies, DRI Summer Research Fellows can propose to work up to 10 weeks on campus with a faculty mentor, five weeks on-campus with a faculty mentor and five weeks off-campus with a faculty mentor as long as the student and faculty mentor maintain regular contact, OR the student could work up to 10 weeks off campus provided the faculty mentor is traveling with the student. Students will receive $15 per hour or $600 per week, in addition to a $1000 stipend for travel/supplies related to the students’ project. Please note that the stipend is reimbursable.
The following designated fellowships will be available through the DRI thanks to the generosity of Davidson donors, The Cannon Foundation, Ellen and Ernie Stevens, The Clark Ross Academic Innovation Fund and Larry Mimms '76:
- Two Mimms Summer Research Fellowships, designated for students exploring research in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, genomics or bioinformatics.
- One Ross Summer Research Fellowship designated for students who have an interest in the social sciences or humanities disciplines.
- One Stevens Summer Research Fellowship designated for students who are interested in studying the attributes of chemistry.
- One Cannon Foundation Fellowship designated for any student interested in pursuing independent research.
Application
After consultation with a faculty mentor a student will submit a proposal that consist of Introduction, Justification (literature or previous work), Methods, Preparation, and Dissemination sections. Students may include interview surveys as part of the submission project (if applicable). Please contact LuAnne Sledge at lusledge@davidson.edu or Roslyn Pozega at ropozega@davidson.edu for more information.
In agreement to serve as the mentor on the student’s project, faculty will submit a mentorship agreement plan that addresses the feasibility of the project and the nature of the collaboration between the mentor and the students. Faculty will submit a final review once the student has completed the project and receive a stipend of $320 per week for the first mentored student and $280 per week for the second mentored student. Faculty may only support up to two student applicants per year for a DRI fellowship. Please note that faculty mentoring DRI scholars are expected to meet regularly (multiple times per week) with their mentees.
Deadline: Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Faculty Mentor Agreement Deadline: Once an application has been submitted by a student, the students faculty mentor will receive an email with instructions on how to complete their faculty mentor agreement. Mentor agreements will be due within one week of the close of the grant cycle.
Please note that research projects requiring technology resources will need to request a consultation regarding technology needs with T&I. Please email the Technology & Innovation Support Center at ti@davidson.edu or call 704-894-2900 to set up an appointment. DRI funds cannot be used to purchase technology.
Review Committee: Student Study and Research
Contact: LuAnne Sledge at lusledge@davidson.edu
Apply: Complete the online application. If you have questions or concerns please contact Roslyn Pozega, Grant Coordinator, Office of Sponsored Programs at ropozega@davidson.edu
DRI for Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Davidson invites undergraduate students who are rising juniors, and seniors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to apply for positions in the DRI Summer Research Program.