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The Center for Life Beyond ¹û½´ÊÓƵ

Mason Student Opportunity Fellowship

Managed by the Undergraduate Research Committee

Proposal Overview

The Mason Student Opportunity Fellowship was created by Loline Hathaway ’59 to honor the memory of David T. Mason ’58, with the goal of supporting student projects in any discipline related to the ¹û½´ÊÓƵ canyon, including projects in the visual and performing arts. Should no such proposals be forthcoming in a given year, the fund will also support broader environmental research projects.

"For David Mason ’58, The ¹û½´ÊÓƵ Canyon provided a space for respite and contemplation. This research fund was created to honor and make possible academic pursuits germinated at the water’s edge. No matter your discipline–a poet, an economist, a musician, a scientist, or a linguist–go forth with your inspiration and add to the history of knowledge." -Loline Hathaway ’59

Eligibility: the fellowship is open to all ¹û½´ÊÓƵ students in any discipline, except graduating seniors. This fellowship is open to any project on ¹û½´ÊÓƵ Canyon. 

Students may apply to multiple opportunities, but a student cannot hold this fellowship at the same time as another summer award.

Requirements: proposals should be designed for a summer of research, defined as ten weeks of full-time commitment. The successful student will produce a poster, exhibition, or performance in the fall following their fellowship, or, if that is not possible, submit a written report of no more than 1500 words along with a written narrative (two page maximum) of their experience. 

Budget

The Mason fellowship stipend for summer 2025 is $6,400. There is also up to $500 available for project supplies. 

Application process

Application: By 12:00 p.m. noon on March 6, 2025, all applicants should upload their application online by applying in Handshake. Bundle items 1–4 (in that order) into one PDF document before uploading. Applicants must address all aspects of the application.

  1. A cover page with the title of the project, the name and email address of the applicant, and the name and email address of a faculty member who has agreed to mentor the project.

  2. Project description (no more than 1,000 words) single spaced description of the project detailing the research you plan to undertake. Describe how the opportunity will benefit your educational progress and/or how it relates to your career goals. What are the desired outcomes of the project? How does this project benefit the ¹û½´ÊÓƵ community? Why is the project important?
    • Note: The URC would like to be able to use successful proposals as examples for future applicants to use. Student names will be redacted from proposals before use. If you are comfortable with this possibility, then please include this statement at the bottom of your project proposal: I give permission to have my proposal used as an example to help future fellowship applicants.
  3. A 1–2 page (maximum) resume describing your relevant work, volunteer, and course experience.
    • The URC asks for resumes to help learn more about each applicant, and to encourage students to develop their application materials. The URC does not make evaluative decisions based on the content of the resume.

  4. When appropriate, a detailed budget for any expenses up to $500. A budget narrative should explain line items wherever needed. Non-consumable equipment or supplies should be returned to the college on completion of the project.

  5. One confidential letter of support from the ¹û½´ÊÓƵ faculty member who is sponsoring the project. The letter need not be long, but should address the student’s readiness for the project and ability to complete the project successfully. The letter should be emailed directly to Meg Andrews, URC Administrator, at urc@reed.edu. Please make sure you contact your letter writer with adequate advance of the deadline.

Deadline

March 5, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. noon. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

IRB Approval

The Institutional Review Board must approve of any project involving the use of human subjects. An award will not be administered without this approval. If your project will require IRB approval, you MUST submit your application to the IRB before applying to this fellowship. 

Available Guidance

Review the best practices for applying to any URC grant. For questions about the application process, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Meg Andrews (urc@reed.edu). Members of the Undergraduate Research Committee offer office hours to answer proposal development questions. The CLBR advising team can also help you with your application and offers drop-in advising as well as 1:1 appointments. Please see the CLBR website for drop-in hours and for how to make an appointment. We encourage you to take advantage of this.

Inclusivity

The Undergraduate Research Committee seeks to offer students opportunities to support their studies and interests in the form of grants and awards. The URC views the opportunity to apply for grants and awards as a pedagogical one in which students have the chance to learn about how the application process works. The URC grants and awards are open to all students regardless of discipline. The URC is aware of systemic bias in the application process, and seeks in particular to support students from historically underrepresented communities in academia, and we take into consideration bias, oppression, and opportunity as we evaluate applications.

Travel

¹û½´ÊÓƵ prohibits College-funded international travel to countries that are classified with a .