Student Policy Scholars Program
Student Policy Scholars Program
Application Link
The above link takes you to the online application. If you would like to review the questions and work on the application offline before submitting online, please download the application questions.
This program provides support for a student working on an intensive Public Policy Project with a faculty mentor during the summer semester (although requests for support during the fall or spring semester will be reviewed on a case by case basis). The awards provide up to $500 for project supplies associated with research, scholarship and creative work facilitated by undergraduate students under the supervision of a faculty mentor. It also provides $2,000 to $2,500 of financial support for the undergraduate student conducting the project. Applications are welcomed from undergraduate students and faculty mentors from all disciplines. The student and faculty member should complete the application below describing the proposed project and provide a clear description of the actual research activities the student will undertake.
- Student Policy Scholars must work with a faculty supervisor who agrees to supervise the project.
- Students must develop the project, with guidance from their supervisor.
- Students engage in research/scholarship/creative projects of appropriate length and scope, as set by their faculty supervisor according to industry standards.
- Project expectations are typically a paper of around 25 pages, but other creative options such as reports, computer programs, manuals, illustrated books, art, curriculum guides, films, original compositions, lecture recitals, etc., are acceptable and may vary in length. This program is a branch of Public Policy Projects (PPP), so the project will vary depending on the student, the faculty supervisor’s research and expertise, and the project’s method of public and community engagement.
Deadlines
- Application process opens Monday, February 27, 2017
- Deadline to apply is Friday, March 17, 2017
NOTE: Candidates should receive notification of their status no later than Monday, April 3, 2017, and all successful applicants will be required to attend an Orientation Meeting in mid-April.
Projects may include:
- An independent idea pursued by the student with guidance from a faculty supervisor.
- A joint student-faculty project in which either the student or faculty supervisor is the principle investigator.
- A project that is part of the faculty supervisor’s ongoing research.
In all cases, the project must be one in which the student has significant involvement and is not just a paid assistant.
Student Funding
- A stipend totaling $2,000 (if student has no accommodation costs during the summer semester) or $2,500 (if student has accommodation costs during the semester) will be awarded to the participating student
Faculty Supervisor Funding
- Up to $500 to offset the costs associated with project supplies.
Public Policy Projects Expectations for Students
Undergraduate students may participate in SPSPs. Below is a list of typical expectations for the completion of a SPSP:
- SPSP must meet all Public Policy Project Requirements
- SPSP/PPPs are a means for a project that engages with both a policy issue and the greater community. Therefore, in addition to meeting regularly with their faculty supervisor, students are expected to attend two meetings with Public Policy Projects representatives, through the Center for Community & Civic Engagement (CCCE): An Orientation meeting prior to the start of project and an individual advising meeting at the mid-point of their project. More information will become available to students who are awarded the grant.
Upon completion of the project:
- In addition to Public Policy Project Requirements, a brief (3 pages) report/reflection paper describing the major objectives and key results of the project.
- An itemized financial disclosure statement indicating how much of the support funding has been spent.
Student Policy Scholar Program Application
- A defined public policy issue/problem
- A project proposal approved by the faculty supervisor(s).
- Co-advisement by community mentors or faculty peers is permissible and is determined based on the nature of the project and by primary faculty supervisors.
- Public engagement with the issue.
- This may be through interviews with elected officials, issue leaders, and stakeholders, and/or volunteering, internships, site visits, advocacy work, etc., in order to gain an applied understanding of the policy problem.
- A means for the community to provide feedback and reflection to the student(s) and mentor(s).
- A final paper/report.
- A presentation or poster session.
- Must be completed at a conference sponsored by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (CURS)
- Public Dissemination of the results to the broader community outside of BGSU.
- This may be a presentation to the community, websites, public poster display, etc.
Students at any level may participate in PPPs. PPPs may be completed by individuals or groups of students working together. Below is a list of typical expectations for the completion of a PPP:
- Identify and research a public problem
- Utilize community based research methods
- Identify possible solutions to public problems and discuss their viability
- Recommend a solution and a plan for its implementation
- Discuss the challenges to implementing the solution
- Complete a public engagement and public dissemination component
- Provide a means for community feedback and reflection
Faculty members may integrate a Public Policy Project into any undergraduate class in any discipline. Funds are available for class activities that support student engagement with, understanding of, and /or the ability to successfully complete research on a public policy issue.
Course based projects may involve individual projects, small group projects, or a project that all class members are involved with.
Topics may be generated by students, defined by the faculty members, or linked to a project identified by a community partner or organization.
Funding will be prioritized for projects that have relevance to regional communities/organizations and where there is a strong partnership with community partners.
For faculty who’s own research has a public policy focus the Student Policy Scholars Program can provide additional support through students engaged in an intensive research experience with a faculty mentor and/or a research experience with a community organization supervised by a faculty mentor.
Questions?
Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (CURS)
Updated: 06/18/2020 11:50AM