College of Science & Health (CSH)
Dean's Distinguished Fellowship
For more than 20 years, UWL’s College of Science & Health has fostered collaborative research between undergraduate student researchers and faculty mentors. Students from all College of Science and Health academic programs may participate in a range of scientific and scholarly experiences. This is a premier and highly selective program that has multiple benefits for participants and has a significant impact on the overall success of the College of Science and Health.
- Over 350 DDF participants are now working in science, medicine and technology across the globe.
- Over 200 DDF participants have gone on to earn additional degrees, including more than 80 alums who have continued on to receive a doctoral degree.
Awards
Awards are announced in early April are subject to the following limits:
- $5,500 for each fellowship
- $500 for supplies (optional)
- faculty support for mentorship
Students are permitted to apply for additional funding for equipment and supplies to support their research projects. Funding may be obtained from UWL or non-UWL sources. Upon acceptance of this fellowship, students will not be eligible to receive additional salary support from other UWL sources.
Expectations
The Summer Research Fellowship program is intended to foster collaborative research between an undergraduate student and their faculty mentor. Applications covering research from all College of Science and Health (CSH) programs are welcome. This program encourages students to participate in a range of scientific and other scholarly experiences, including project design and implementation, analysis and summary of results, and professional communication of findings. It is expected that the faculty mentor will help structure and actively participate in all phases of the research project while allowing the student to assume a suitable level of independence and responsibility.
Students are expected to work on their projects at least 30 hours per week over a 10-week period during the summer and be on campus for the majority of the 10-week period. The student’s faculty mentor and the summer program coordinators must be notified if the student will not be present for any length of time during the 10-week period. So that they may focus on their research projects, students should not summer courses, with the exception of a 1-credit research credit, while working on their fellowship project, which generally begins in June 1. Fellowship recipients are strongly discouraged from working during the summer. This includes participating in an internship/preceptorship. However, if a student wishes to work part time outside of the fellowship time commitment or is involved with a part time internship/preceptorship, the student must discuss and obtain approval from their mentor prior to submitting the application.
Students must plan on attending the weekly research seminar. If a seminar must be missed, students must notify their faculty mentor and the summer program coordinators. Faculty members are also expected to attend the weekly seminar.
Students must also present their summer research results in the Summer Research Symposium hosted on campus. This symposium typically occurs within the first week of August.
Applying for a Dean's Distinguished Fellowship
Review the information below to inform your application for a Dean's Distinguished Fellowship.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- be undergraduates currently enrolled at UWL
- be majoring in one of the Science and Health disciplines
- have completed 30 credit hours of coursework at UWL
There is no required GPA. However, GPA may be used in the award decision. Applicants who have not previously received a CSH summer fellowship will be given first consideration. Past fellowship recipients or students who have only one semester of coursework remaining will be considered as resources allow.
If you have questions about eligibility requirements, please contact the associate dean of the College of Science and Health.
Funding Decisions
Applications must be submitted by 4:00 PM the second Friday in February. A faculty committee, appointed by the Dean of the College of Science and Health, evaluates applications, though the Dean makes final determinations. Awards are typically announced in early April.
Application Materials
Students are responsible for writing all components of this application except for the letter of support from a faculty mentor. If AI is used for any portion of this application, this must be disclosed in the application. A Dean’s Distinguished Fellowship application package must include the following items in this order.
The application requires following information:
- Cover Letter
To be completed by the student and faculty mentor. (Downloadable Cover Letter) - Description of Research Project
The description should be a maximum of 3 double spaced pages (not including bibliography and/or appendices) using a minimum of 10-point font. Include the title on the first page, and number the pages. The project description should be written for a general audience and include the following:
- Background/Statement of the Problem/Significance
- Objectives
- Experimental Design/Research Methods (Include a broad projected timeline for the project in the Experimental Design/Research Methods section.)
- Applicant Details
Description should be a maximum of 1 page and address relevant experiences or educational endeavors that have prepared the applicant for undertaking this research. - Unofficial Transcript
- Letter of Support from Faculty Mentor
The letter of support should address the student’s potential to undertake and succeed in the research and specific involvement with the research project, including the student’s primary responsibilities. The letter of support many be submitted with the students application or separately through the CSH Grants Canvas page. Please address the following:- Facilities, supplies, and equipment available for successful completion of this project.
- External mentorship: It is acceptable that someone outside the College of Science and Health be involved in the project, but at least mentor must be employed in the College of Science and Health.
- Your commitment and availability to support your student during this 10-week summer activity. While there are situations where the student and mentor can work together away from campus, these situations need to be well defined in the letter of support. Being on the UWL campus for most of the summer will still be considered a strength in a proposal.
- (Optional) Supplies Request
The statement must explain what will be purchased with the additional funds and provide justification. This should take the form of an itemized list including prices for the items requested. The committee will make the final determination on the amount funded.
To begin an application, click on the link below:
Access the online form to begin your application.