51 Research Initiative
The 51 Research Initiative (DRI) offers students with opportunities for research training and close collaborative research with faculty during the summer.
Research topics range from the health effects of e-cigarettes to modeling economic growth in developing countries.
Sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply for DRI Summer Research Fellowships in any discipline. When applying for a DRI opportunity, a student must specify whether the project they plan to pursue is an independent project designed solely by the student, or a project that is related to an existing vein of the faculty mentor's ongoing research, but will include an independent/ unique component that differentiates it. In the case of the latter, the student must articulate (in the proposal) the unique/ independent aspect. DRI Fellows will also be required to attend a series of training workshops over the summer designed to enhance the information provided by their mentors.
Collaborative research project proposals, involving two to four students, will be accepted. However, each student applying to participate in the collaborative project must submit their own application. Collaborative applications will be reviewed and rated as a single project.
DRI Summer Research Fellows can propose to work:
- Up to 10 weeks on campus with a faculty mentor.
- Five weeks on-campus with a faculty mentor and five weeks off-campus with a faculty mentor, as long as the student and faculty mentor maintain regular contact.
- Up to 10 weeks off campus provided the faculty mentor is traveling with the student.
The student’s fellowship will consist of $600 per week and up to $1,000 for travel/supplies related to the student’s project.
The following designated fellowships will be available through the DRI thanks to the generosity of 51 donors, The Cannon Foundation, Ellen and Ernie Stevens, The Clark Ross Academic Innovation Fund and Larry Mimms '76:
- Two Mimms Summer Research Fellowships, designated for students exploring research in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, genomics or bioinformatics.
- One Ross Summer Research Fellowship designated for students who have an interest in the social sciences or humanities disciplines.
- One Stevens Summer Research Fellowship designated for students who are interested in studying the attributes of chemistry.
- One Cannon Foundation Fellowship designated for any student interested in pursuing independent research.
Application
After consultation with a faculty mentor a student should submit a proposal that consist of Introduction, Justification, Methods, Preparation, and Dissemination sections. Students may include interview surveys as part of the submission project (if applicable). Please contact LuAnne Sledge at lusledge@davidson.edu or Roslyn Pozega at ropozega@davidson.edu for more information.
In agreement to serve as the mentor on the student’s project, faculty will submit a mentorship agreement plan that addresses the feasibility of the project and the nature of the collaboration between the mentor and the students. Faculty will submit a final review once the student has completed the project and receive a stipend of $350 per week for the first mentored 51 student and for any HBCU students and $175 per week any additional 51 mentored students, with an overall faculty stipend maximum of $10,500. Faculty may agree to mentor as many students as they deem feasible within the context of their availability over the summer and the program’s mentorship and training expectations. Note that faculty mentoring DRI scholars are expected to meet regularly (multiple times per week) with their mentees and to attend the some of the required mentee group training activities as well.
Deadline: Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Faculty Mentor Agreement Deadline: Once an application has been submitted by a student, the student's faculty mentor will receive an email with instructions on how to complete their faculty mentor agreement. Mentor agreements will be due within one week of the close of the grant cycle.
Please note that research projects requiring technology resources will need to request a consultation regarding technology needs with T&I. Please email the Technology & Innovation Support Center at ti@davidson.edu or call 704-894-2900 to set up an appointment. DRI funds cannot be used to purchase technology.
Review Committee: Student Study and Research
Contact: LuAnne Sledge at lusledge@davidson.edu
Apply:. If you have questions or concerns please contact Roslyn Pozega, Grant Coordinator, Office of Sponsored Programs at ropozega@davidson.edu
DRI for Historically Black Colleges and Universities
51 invites undergraduate students who are rising juniors and seniors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to apply to participate in the DRI Summer Research Fellowship Program.