Minter Summer Scholars Program
The Minter Summer Scholars Program offers competitive research and travel grants to English majors for summer research and creative writing projects. Awards typically range from $750.00 to $3,000.00. As many as four scholars may be selected annually based on the merit of proposals and the feasibility for successful completion of research or creative writing projects. Minter Scholars will present the results of their projects in the form of a ten-page paper to the sponsoring faculty in the English Department, and will be asked to write a summary of their research for the award donors in the fall semester. Applications are due March 1st and are reviewed by the Awards and Prizes Committee; awards are announced by mid-April.
Recent awards have been granted for projects such as: travel to London to attend performances of Shakespeare’s History Cycle at the Royal Shakespeare Company; travel to archives in Miami and Washington, D.C. to pursue research related to relations between Cuba and U.S. in the literature of the Spanish-American War; European summer travel for study of the interface between literature and politics; and student participation in creative writing workshops with accredited institutions.
Eligibility
Majors who have completed English 200 and 300 by the time the scholarship begins are eligible to apply. In rare instances, non-majors with substantial course work in English (including 200 and 300) may receive awards. Ideally, applicants will be juniors and will complete their proposed research during the summer before their senior year; however, eligibility is not limited to juniors.
How to Apply
Applications should include:
- A one-page statement of research or creative project. Be as specific as possible.
- A budget for project. Funds typically are used for travel, workshop tuition or residency fees, and research. Funds may not be used to purchase equipment for projects such as cameras or backpacks. Original receipts must be provided for expenditures.
- A letter of recommendation from an English Department faculty member supporting the research or creative proposal, and noting the probability of its completion. Faculty supporters should be willing to review and comment on finished projects.
- Writing sample of approximately five pages.
Send your materials as a single pdf to jluu@rice.edu with "(current year) Minter Summer Scholar Submission" in the subject line of the email by March 1.
Rice Undergraduate Scholars Program
The Rice Undergraduate Scholars Program (RUSP) is a two-semester, two-credit, undergraduate research program aimed at students interested in pursuing a research career. Senior (and in some cases junior) Rice students engage in a year-long research project and attend weekly seminars on topics related to graduate school, research careers in various sectors, and academic life. The program is focused on developing research and presentation skills, an understanding of a research career, and how to apply to graduate education and nationally competitive fellowships that support research careers. In addition, all students in the program have access to funding that may be used for research materials or conference attendance. How to apply and further information can be found here.
Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium (RURS)
Now in its seventeenth year, RURS is the premier event for undergraduates across all disciplines to present their research projects and compete for recognition from academic schools and research centers at Rice. Faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students from Rice and the Houston community graciously volunteer their time to evaluate the student presentations. Check out the FAQs here; further questions can be directed to rurs@rice.edu.