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Introduction to the First-Year Monroe Scholar Research Program

The First-Year Monroe Scholar Research Program is designed to provide first-year students with a valuable research experience, guided by a William & Mary faculty member. This program offers a $1,500 summer grant to support students in their research endeavors.

Eligibility and Application Process

To be eligible for the program, students must be current first-year Monroe Scholars in good academic standing, enrolled in undergraduate W&M classes. The application process involves several steps, including:

• Discussing the research project idea with a William & Mary faculty project advisor
• Accessing the online application and creating an account
• Completing the project proposal questions within the online application
• Uploading an unofficial William & Mary transcript
• Obtaining approval from the appropriate Research Ethics Compliance committee, if applicable

Project Proposal Prompts

The project proposal questions will be answered within the online application and include:

• Descriptive title of summer research project
• Project Abstract: A summary of the research question and its broader impact
• Discussion of methodology and research plan
• Explanation of how the project fits into the student's intellectual development
• List of references/citations for the project proposal

Research Ethics Compliance

If the research involves living human subjects, vertebrate animals, recombinant DNA, or infectious agents, students must submit a request for approval to the appropriate Research Compliance committee. This includes:

• Completing the CITI training modules
• Submitting a proposal through the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
• Obtaining approval before beginning research

Charles Center Policy on the Use of Generative AI in Research Grant Proposals

The Charles Center recognizes that some students may utilize generative AI tools to edit or get feedback on their writing. However, students are expected to use these tools ethically and honestly, and to disclose their use in the application.

Information for Faculty Mentors

Faculty mentors play a crucial role in the research program, providing guidance and support to students throughout the project. Mentors are expected to:

• Assist the student with development of their research project and proposal
• Complete a recommendation form
• Help the student secure approval from the appropriate research ethics compliance committee, if applicable

Expectations for Funded Projects

Students who receive funding are expected to:

• Spend 3 full-time weeks or equivalent number of hours on the project during the summer
• Comply with all federal and university regulations regarding research ethics compliance
• Be responsive to communication and deadlines agreed upon with faculty research advisor
• Complete two virtual mini-courses offered by Research Librarians in SWEM
• Present their research at the Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium

Frequently Asked Questions

The Charles Center provides answers to frequently asked questions, including:

• What is research?
• What is the "deliverable" of my summer research?
• Who do I contact if I have questions about the online application?
• Can I use the funding to study abroad?
• Can I apply for both a First-Year Monroe Scholars Research Grant and a Charles Center Summer Research Grant during the same summer?