Undergraduate and Graduate Student Fellowships

Center for Equality and Social Justice (CESJ) is pleased to announce its May 2019 – May 2020 Award Cycle for undergraduate and graduate student funding. Three award mechanisms will be available this year, including four Undergraduate Research Grants, three Graduate Student Research Grants, and up to two competitive Graduate Student Research Fellowships.

All full-time undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Kentucky are welcome to apply. Students from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

These grants and fellowships offer students the opportunity to conduct summer research and scholarly work under the guidance of CESJ-affiliated faculty, with the potential for locally engaged research opportunities with community leaders. The focus of the CESJ is to examine inequality and promote social justice on the basis of, for example, race/ethnicity, immigration status, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, religion, age, ability level, and social class.

The sections below outline each funding mechanism and application instructions.

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           DEADLINE FOR ALL PROPOSALS IS MARCH 15

Email all application materials, as one pdf, to ukcesj@gmail.com

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Undergraduate Research Grants

CESJ solicits applications for Undergraduate Research funding from students, or student teams, who wish to conduct research with faculty guidance. Student projects should involve research, community engagement, or fieldwork related to the focus of the CESJ. Successful applicants will be matched with a faculty mentor who will supervise their work; those who have already identified a willing faculty mentor for their project should indicate so in their application materials.

Funding details:

  • Three CESJ Undergraduate Research Grants will be awarded this funding cycle
  • Applications will be accepted from individuals or teams of students
  • Awards include up to a $3,000 stipend to offset research or fieldwork expenses
  • In addition, faculty mentors will receive a $1,000 stipend
  • These awards do not include tuition support

Proposals must include:

  • Cover letter indicating interest, relevant experience, project collaborators, and future career goals
  • CV
  • 500 words describing the research project and goals, including mention of how the research could impact the community or influence policies that promote social justice
  • Project budget and tentative timeline

Graduate Student Research Grants

Graduate Student Research Grants will be awarded to support policy-relevant research, community-engaged research, or fieldwork. Successful applicants will be matched with a faculty mentor who will supervise their work; those who have already identified a willing faculty mentor for their project should indicate so in their application materials.

Funding details:

  • Three Graduate Student Research Grants will be awarded this funding cycle
  • Applications will be accepted from individuals or teams of students
  • Awards include up to a $5,000 stipend to offset research expenses
  • These awards do not include tuition support

Proposals must include:

  • Cover letter indicating interest, relevant experience, project collaborators, and future career goals
  • CV
  • 500 words describing the research project and goals, including mention of how the research could impact the community or could influence policies that promote social justice
  • Project budget and tentative timeline

Graduate Student Research Fellowship

Up to two semester-long, Graduate Student Research Fellowships will be awarded to graduate students pursuing careers in research, policy, advocacy, or non-profit leadership. Successful applicants will be matched with a faculty mentor who will supervise their work; those who have already identified a willing faculty mentor for their project should indicate so in their application materials.

Funding details:

  • Up to two one-semester Graduate Student Research Fellowships will be awarded this funding cycle
  • Fellowships include a stipend, plus full tuition support

Application instructions:

  • Cover letter indicating career goals, and research/practice as relevant to community engagement or policy advocacy
  • CV
  • 500 words describing the research project and goals, including mention of how the research could impact the community or influence policies that promote social justice