Student Opportunities
Many of our students travel the world conducting important research at the intersection of science, technology and international affairs. Information on support for student research from Georgetown is listed below. If you are interested in working with a STIA faculty member please contact them directly to discuss research opportunities. STIA students are also encouraged to pursue relevant internships – see the STIA twitter and STIA Linked-In pages for position postings.
The Kalorama Fellowship funds full-time and part-time independent undergraduate research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Over the summer, Kalorama Fellows pursue projects pertaining to the humanities, social sciences, and environmental sciences.
The Lisa J. Raines Fellowship for Independent Summer Research
The Lisa J. Raines Summer Research Fellowship (Raines) is an extraordinary opportunity for Georgetown sophomores and juniors wishing to conduct independent summer research. The Raines provides a total of $5,000 to successful applicants to design, investigate, and produce an original research project over the course of ten weeks. The skills gained through securing and completing a Raines are invaluable assets to a student’s academic and postgraduate goals. From conceiving of a project idea to presenting original findings, students hone their analytical, writing, and time management skills – all while exploring their chosen field in a specific and personal way. Such focus contributes significantly to a strong undergraduate record, future graduate school admissions and study, and post-graduate fellowships.
BSFS Dean’s Undergraduate Fund
The Walsh School of Foreign Service Undergraduate Dean’s Fund offers academic year grants for either thesis projects or other academic research. All School of Foreign Service students, first year through fourth year, are encouraged to apply. Students may apply for up to one grant per semester with a maximum of two grants per year. Students may apply in groups or individually. To apply, please fill out the application form.
Improving the Human Conditions Grant
The Improving the Human Condition Grant offers funding to BSFS students engaged in meaningful summer projects that improve the quality of life for others. These projects may be conducted through structured internships, research assistantships, or independent work. Students engage in short-term, hands-on projects in the international arena. Domestic projects with an international focus are also considered. The selection committee looks for students who have a commitment to social causes and an understanding of how their passion and experiences supplement and enhance their academic work. Past recipients, graduating seniors, and students on leave may not apply for the Improving the Human Condition Grant. All other students are encouraged to submit an application. For more information and eligibility requirements, please review the FAQ.
The Circumnavigators Club Foundation and the SFS sponsor a student for a 90-day summer research trip. One member of the SFS junior class is awarded a $9,000 Raymond Dinsmore Fellowship to undertake an around-the-world research project to explore an international problem or issue to generally contribute to our understanding of world conditions.
CyberCorps Scholarship for Service Program
Through the CyberCorps™ Scholarship for Service Program, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has partnered with Georgetown University provide scholarships to students to earn degrees critical for cybersecurity in exchange for service in the form of employment in a governmental cybersecurity position. This national program is designed to educate the individuals who will design and protect the nation’s critical information infrastructure, define the policies, and write the laws that govern and protect this infrastructure, and educate the nation’s future generations of cybersecurity professionals.
The Georgetown Social Innovation and Public Service Fund (SIPS) Summer Scholars Program
The SIPS Fund is a $1.5 million student-run fund that allocates approximately $60,000 in grant money every year to help students and alumni start their own social ventures. The mission of SIPS grows out of the Jesuit tradition of service to others. At the SIPS Fund, we invest in people as changemakers and match them with the resources they need to address pressing issues and create substantive, positive social impact. SIPS offers stipends for projects that have a social impact dimension.
Global Health Student Fellows Program
The Georgetown Global Health Initiative student fellows program is an opportunity for talented undergraduate and graduate students to work with faculty on research projects, to participate in global health-related events, and to network with one another and scholars in the global health field. Questions may be directed to globalhealth@georgetown.edu.
In the 2009-2010 academic year, the Woodstock Theological Center launched its newest initiative, the John & Pat Figge Woodstock Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship. These Fellowships give several Georgetown undergraduates an opportunity to do “theological reflection on the human problems of today.” Now, the Figge Fellows have a new home in the Catholic Studies Program at Georgetown University, where they will continue to develop a new lens and methodology with which to approach their studies and life experiences. Figge Fellows are selected through a competitive process, with a goal of bringing together students from a variety of majors and religious traditions who display a high level of academic aptitude, and a strong interest in how theological reflection can be applied to current issues and problems. Each Fellow receives a $500 stipend for completion of the Fellowship.
The Education and Social Justice Project Summer Research Fellowships
In early 2010, the Berkley Center and the CSJ created the Education and Social Justice Project to engage students and build knowledge about the deep connections between global challenges of poverty and education. Only through better access to education will the world’s poor be able to seize opportunities in an increasingly global economy. While policy analysts have documented the widespread failure of governments to meet this imperative, we still know relatively little about successful local efforts led by religious communities to advance economic and social development through education. Undergraduate student research fellows spend three weeks conducting interviews on best practices at the intersection of education and social justice. Local hosts are Jesuit-led institutions doing innovative educational work in support of under-resourced communities.
The Center for Social Justice Davis Projects for Peace
The Center for Social Justice Davis Projects for Peace supports undergraduate students at Georgetown to design their own grassroots projects anywhere in the world to promote peace and address the root causes of conflict among parties. Applicants are encouraged to use their creativity to design projects that employ innovative techniques for engaging participants in ways that focus on conflict transformation, reconciliation, building understanding and breaking down barriers which cause conflict. The goal of the projects should focus on transforming conflict and sustaining peace. Award: $10,000. Eligibility: Current/enrolled first year, sophomore, junior, senior students. Individuals or up to 2 students can apply together as a group.
The David F. Andretta Summer Research Fellowship
Through the David F. Andretta, MD, Explorer Fund, a rising senior is awarded $5,000 to conduct research on a social justice research issue anywhere in the world during the summer. David Andretta (COL ‘99, GUMC ‘04) was an adventurous soul and a true son of Georgetown. Throughout his 31 years of life, David enthusiastically explored the world. David was a loving son, husband, brother, mentor and friend known for his hard work ethic and zest for life, and his legacy will be embraced and extended by each successive fellowship recipient. The fellowship is awarded annually to a Georgetown University junior who seeks to spend the summer before senior year exploring an aspect of the world through an academic research project. The applicant must find a faculty sponsor who is willing both to critique and recommend the project prior to the application’s filing and to review and approve the project upon its completion.
Provost Undergraduate Research Presentation Awards (PURPAs)
PURPAs provides funds for undergraduates who want to extend their undergraduate research efforts beyond the Georgetown campus in either traditional or innovative ways, in the form of conference presentations, publications, or performances.
Mortara Undergraduate Research Fellows program (MURFS)
The Walsh School of Foreign Service and the Mortara Center for International Studies sponsor the Mortara Undergraduate Research Fellows Program. As part of the University’s strong commitment to undergraduate research, a select group of SFS students partner with professors as research-assistants and potential co-authors on complex research projects throughout their undergraduate career.
Georgetown Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (GUROP)
GUROP offers motivated students the opportunity to learn the discipline and experience the rewards of scholarly research by working with faculty on their research projects. Students spend a minimum of 60 hours per semester/summer working with a faculty mentor on that faculty member’s research. After the successful completion of the program, students will receive designation of their participation on their transcript. The summer GUROP is a funded, full-time research experience working under the direct mentorship of a professor. GUROP projects come from all fields, with a large number in the sciences.
The Kalorama Fellowship funds full-time and part-time independent undergraduate research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Over the summer, Kalorama Fellows pursue projects pertaining to the humanities, social sciences, and environmental sciences.
BSFS Dean’s Undergraduate Fund
The Walsh School of Foreign Service Undergraduate Dean’s Fund offers academic year grants for either thesis projects or other academic research. All School of Foreign Service students, first year through fourth year, are encouraged to apply. Students may apply for up to one grant per semester with a maximum of two grants per year. Students may apply in groups or individually. To apply, please fill out the application form.
Improving the Human Conditions Grant
The Improving the Human Condition Grant offers funding to BSFS students engaged in meaningful summer projects that improve the quality of life for others. These projects may be conducted through structured internships, research assistantships, or independent work. Students engage in short-term, hands-on projects in the international arena. Domestic projects with an international focus are also considered. The selection committee looks for students who have a commitment to social causes and an understanding of how their passion and experiences supplement and enhance their academic work. Past recipients, graduating seniors, and students on leave may not apply for the Improving the Human Condition Grant. All other students are encouraged to submit an application. For more information and eligibility requirements, please review the FAQ.
Georgetown University Undergraduate Research Symposium
The symposium gives undergraduates students in all fields of research an opportunity to present their work to the Georgetown community in a formal setting. Applicants need only send an abstract and an outline to be considered. Work is shared through poster presentations, moderated panel discussions, and individual presentations. The symposium also honors the faculty mentors who facilitate undergraduate research at Georgetown.
The Mark Adamsson Prize is awarded each year to a member of the SFS Fundamentals of Grand Strategy course, IPOL 410. Should no suitable applications emerge from the course, then the competition is open to the entire SFS junior class. The Prize honors the memory of Mark Adamsson, an SFS and IPOL 410 student who passed away unexpectedly in 2015. The Prize of $5,000 supports a summer-long international project which may take the form of research or an equally rewarding and useful initiative to make the world a better place. Winners are expected to provide a brief report on their summer’s work by the end of September of their senior year, to be shared with the Dean’s office, past winners of the Prize, and friends and family of Mark Adamsson. Spring 2023 application process TBD. For more information, please email the SFS Undergraduate Dean’s Office at bsfsdeans@georgetown.edu.
Institute for the Study of Diplomacy Fellows in Diplomacy Program
The ISD Fellows in Diplomacy program provides academic credit and non-service stipends (Huffington, Humes, Newsom, Dulles) or merit-based tuition scholarships (Bunker) ($3,000 each) to selected BSFS and graduate SFS students who wish to pursue independent research projects that focus on ongoing and emerging diplomatic issues. The Institute pairs students with advisers drawn from ISD senior staff, Georgetown University faculty and Washington-based practitioners. The research project begins in the fall semester and culminates in a substantial (30-page) study that is presented during the spring semester. Fellows also have the opportunity to participate in other ISD activities.
The Carroll Round is an annual international economics conference at Georgetown University that provides a unique forum for research and discussion among the world’s top undergraduates. The goal of the Carroll Round is to foster the exchange of ideas among leading undergraduate international economics and political economy students by encouraging and supporting the pursuit of scholarly innovation in the field.
Undergraduates, graduating seniors and graduate students with advanced Chinese language ability can apply for one of six China Studies Fellowships, including tuition, room, and board, at National Chengchi University.
The School of Foreign Service Scholars Program will place SFS undergraduate students in different research centers, often tied to master’s programs, throughout the School. Students interested in national security might work with the Center for Security Studies, those interested in Asia with the Asian Studies Program, and so on. Scholars will work on professional projects, conduct advanced research, get to know graduate faculty and master’s students, and engage the intellectual life of the programs. The particulars will vary: some scholars might conduct research in teams for an international organization or corporation. Others would assist Georgetown scholars in their research. Still others might do independent work under the supervision of a graduate student and professor. All scholars, however, will be part of a small group focused on cutting-edge research and important issues in the world today. Scholars will be with the centers and programs for at least a year. An information session for interested students will be held in February, and the application process will be announced in March.
The mission of the Pelosi Scholars Initiative is to provide exceptional SFS undergraduate students with the professional skillset and network of practitioners and scholars necessary to address the most pressing international challenges of our time. In keeping with the school’s century-long tradition of preparing students for public service and global leadership, PSI enables students to complement their rigorous academic coursework with mentorship and professional experience in order to recognize their full potential as women and men for others. Click here to complete an application.
The Walsh Exchange is an undergraduate international relations research conference held in April. Focusing on the three broad themes of international institutions, international politics and security, and area studies, the Exchange affords top students the ability to gain greater exposure for their research by presenting in a formal conference setting.
Doyle Seminars at the Berkley Center
Doyle Seminars are small (15 students maximum) upper-level classes that foster deepened student learning about diversity and difference through research and dialogue. The seminars provide curricular resources that enrich faculty-student research collaboration and support dialogue between students, faculty, other scholars, and policy experts. Students complete a sustained research project to develop their research, analytic, and writing skills. Doyle Seminar faculty structure classroom opportunities to critically engage complex problems and dialogue with others in a free and candid exchange of ideas from a variety of perspectives. The Doyle Seminars focus on a range of topics that address questions of national, social, cultural, religious, moral, and other forms of difference. Previous seminars have addressed topics ranging from globalization and foreign policy to same-sex marriage and interfaith dialogue.
National Scholarships and Fellowships
School of Foreign Service students can apply for over a dozen scholarships and fellowships to conduct research in any discipline both during and after their undergraduate studies through the Georgetown Office of Fellowships, Awards and Resources (GOFAR). STIA students have successfully competed for prestigious awards including Rhodes, Fulbright, Truman and Mitchell Scholarships.