Scholarship Awards in Biological Science

The Katherine L. Kreighbaum Scholarship supports a wide variety of research projects, including those in biological sciences.  Announcement of the application requirements are distributed each February via the Biological Sciences undergraduate list serve.

Under the auspices of the Program in Biological Sciences, all Biological Sciences majors are eligible to apply.  Typically, three applications are forwarded to the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences for final consideration: one from a student conducting research in a faculty laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology, one working in one of the laboratories in the Department of Neurobiology and Physiology and, when appropriate, one from a student working on a biological problem in a different department.  The Program in Biological Sciences review committee makes the selection of the three Biological Sciences student nominees and submits them to the WCAS Dean's Office.

Students are required to submit a brief research proposal including a description of their project, the budget required to do the research (maximum of $2,000). In addition, two letters of recommendation are required: one from the faculty research supervisor and one from a faculty member who is familiar with the student either through classes or other collaborations.

The proposal application can be submitted via email before the deadline in mid-April (date specified in the official February notification).

Please note that the nomination procedures in the Program in Biological Sciences differ substantially from those requirements specified by the WCAS Dean's Office.

Northwestern Undergraduate Research Grants

The Northwestern Undergraduate Research Grants fund students' individual academic and creative projects, designed and implemented under faculty supervision. The grants aim to stimulate student initiative and allow students to immerse themselves in scholarly work independent of the regular curriculum.

Academic Year Grants

A prime example of the use of the academic year grants is student participation in 399 independent study research. The Undergraduate Academic Year Research Grants are available for one, two, or three quarter-long projects. Funds of up to $1,000 are awarded to subsidize the costs of a student's research project (supplies, books, film, etc.)

Summer Research Grants

These grants provide a stipend of $3,000 to cover project costs and living expenses. Projects may be carried out anywhere in the world, as long as you detail WHY you must do your research at that particular location.

For more information about the application procedure, please consult the website for the Undergraduate Research Grants (http://www.northwestern.edu/undergrad-research) or contact Christopher Hayden.

If you don't meet the criteria (e.g., you can't commit to devoting your whole summer to your project), you can apply instead for a WCAS research grant. See this link for more information and how to apply. WCAS research grant applications must be received - and be complete, including the faculty recommendation - no later than June 3, 2010.

If you have additional questions, please contact the WCAS research grants office.

Northwestern Office of Fellowships
The Office of Fellowships website is designed to help you launch your search for national and international fellowship competitions that meet your educational, intellectual, and personal needs. Fellowships fall into many categories. Some provide funding to attend graduate school; others allow you to study or to conduct research overseas to gain practical experience in your field of study.

Director Sara Anson Vaux encourages you to browse their website and focus on a small group of competitions that catch your fancy. Schedule an appointment with her staff at the Office of Fellowships. While the competition for all fellowships is fierce at the national level, remember that Northwestern students are among the most brilliant and accomplished in the world.

Be aware that stellar applications in any field require you to invest a significant amount of time thinking over your goals and rewriting your materials. Initiate your search early and share your unfolding plans with your departmental mentors.

For more information, please go to the Office of Fellowships website: www.northwestern.edu/fellowships.

Additional Summer Research and Outreach Programs:

Laboratory Adventures in Biological Sciences
Northwestern Drug Discovery Program
CURE (Continuing Umbrella of Research Experience)

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