Summer Research Fellowships

Cal Lutheran offers summer research opportunities for undergraduate students interested in working side by side with a faculty mentor on a research project. Each fellowship program follow a standardized structure, including a stipend and eight weeks of research during the summer months.

Along with the research activities, weekly professional development workshops are also provided. However, the programs differ in terms of the disciplines or types of research they focus on. Research opportunities are available in every discipline and research type, from lab research to field research, including humanities such as film and religion.

Application Instructions

Students: you must have a faculty research mentor that has committed to working with you in the summer, should you receive the fellowship, to be eligible to submit a proposal.

Please work with your faculty research mentor on multiple drafts of your proposal using the template below before you submit it via the online form.

If you and your faculty research mentor are ready to submit your proposal and application, click the button below. Please be sure to read all of the instructions below and work with your faculty research mentor on your proposal before you submit it.

Please contact the Office of Research research@CalLutheran.edu if you have any questions.

Application Template

Work on this template with your mentor before submitting it through the online application.

Download Template

Submit Your Application

Proposal drafted and reviewed by your mentor? Submit it here! Applications are due March 1st.

Submit A p plication

Important Information

There are a limited number of fellowship awards available each year. The application process is competitive. Each application will be reviewed by at least two faculty. Applications will be reviewed by at least one person in the applicant's division or department.

The committee will review and rate applications based on the following criteria. Note that the full review criteria can be found in the Application Template located in the section above.

Research Question. Is the research question clear and answerable?
Methodology. Is the methodology sound? Does the application address both specifics and broad context? The plan should follow the process of scholars in the discipline.
Feasibility. Is the project feasible and likely that the student will accomplish the main goals in an 8-week program?
Product. Will the project result in something presentable off-campus?
Suitability. To what extent is the student's skills and experiences appropriate for the proposed work, given the mentor's guidance?
Mentorship. Does the proposal indicate that the faculty mentor will be available and helpful to the student? If a mentor had students in the past two years, did they present their work off-campus?
Writing Quality. Is the proposal polished? Does it seem like the mentor and student have worked together on drafts before submitting it?

Note: Close collaboration with your mentor is encouraged to refine the proposal through edits and feedback. However, the writing submitted must be your original work. Please note that duplicate submissions or proposals featuring identical content will not be considered for review. Each proposal should reflect the individual student researcher's unique perspectives, insights, and contributions.

Prior project outcomes will be considered in the selection process, with priority given to mentors whose students consistently present their research off-campus.

Only full awards will be given to students – no sharing of projects will be allowed (unless the fellowship is specifically designed for sharing, such as the Culver). Each student will be given a full-time award for their distinct project.

The quality of the writing will be considered – a well-written proposal will be given preference over a poorly written one.

Priority will be given to quality projects with the desire to have a wide range of disciplines represented, if possible.

To increase the program's impact, students who have not previously received a fellowship award will be given priority over those who have been awarded a fellowship in the past.

Additionally, projects that support the university mission will be given priority.

Faculty and student interviews may take place if necessary.

Summer Research Programs

Swenson Science Summer Research Fellowships (Natural Sciences)

Cal Lutheran students in the Natural Science Division can apply for one of 15 Swenson Science Summer Research Fellowships. These are paid research fellowships that enable students to work one-on-one with a Science Division faculty mentor full-time for 8 weeks during the summer.

Students receive up to $4,000 of support and additional funding for supplies (up to $500). Faculty compensation is $500 per student. In addition to the Research Fellowship, a student may apply to receive up to $500 for professional travel, supplemented by OURCS.

Learn more and apply for Swenson Science Summer Research Fellowship

John Stauffer Research Fellows Program in the Chemical Sciences

The research focus of this summer program is based on theoretical perspectives and real-world applications from the Chemical Sciences. Through research application and integration, highly effective and high-impact learning will be most likely to occur in undergraduate students and, by extension, in the chemistry faculty who embrace and embody "engaged" learning.

Students may apply for a research fellowship to participate in 8 weeks of full-time, faculty-mentored summer research in the Chemical Sciences. Students receive up to $4,000 of support and additional funding for supplies (up to $500) and professional travel (up to $500).

Learn more and apply for the John Stauffer Research Fellows Program

Overton Summer Research Program in Economics

The Overton Summer Research Program in Economics is an exciting opportunity for qualified undergraduate students to pursue their research interests in economics. Students work one-on-one with members of the M.S. Economics faculty to develop, quantify, and prepare original research. Participants are members of an active student research community that fosters collaboration and innovation across disciplines.

Students receive up to $3,600 for 9 weeks of full-time mentored research. Additional funding is available by application through the OURCS for professional travel and supplies.

Learn more and apply for the Overton Summer Research Program

Pearson Scholars Summer Program for Leadership and Engagement in a Global Society (Global Studies)

The Pearson Scholars for Leadership and Engagement in a Global Society program is available to 1 to 2 students in the Global Studies program. During a 10 to 12 week intensive summer program, Pearson Scholars participate in experiential learning opportunities – "domestic immersion" projects – that expose students to global issues and diverse communities in Los Angeles (and possibly other global cities), and give students the opportunity to be agents of change in society through civic engagement.

Learn more and apply for the Pearsons Research Fellowship

The Louis W. and Gladyce Foster Family Foundation Summer Fellowship in Religion

Cal Lutheran is fortunate to offer this program, thanks to the generosity of the Louis W. and Gladyce Foster Family Foundation. This program is open to undergraduate students who have declared a major or minor in Religion or Theology and Christian Leadership. A maximum of two students, one pursuing a Religion major or minor, and one pursuing a Theology and Christian Leadership major or minor, may receive this award per academic year. The goal of these fellowships is to have students engage in research that is full-time, faculty-mentored, novel, and presentable outside the university. The quality of the mentoring from the faculty member is vital as the goal of these fellowships is to advance the students in their professional and personal development.

Funding

Nominated students may apply for approximately $4,000 that requires that the student participate in approximately 8 weeks of full-time (40 hours per week) mentored summer research with a Cal Lutheran faculty member.
Funds for approved “consumables” can be provided (up to $500). Consumables include printing costs, travel to special libraries, office supplies, etc. Consumables do not include dining costs, books or films, payment for subjects or non-essential travel costs. All expenditures must be approved prior to purchase by the OURCS.
Faculty compensation is $500 per student.

Eligibility

This program is open to undergraduate students who have declared a major or minor in Religion or Theology and Christian Leadership. (A maximum of two students, one pursuing a Religion major or minor, and one pursuing a Theology and Christian Leadership major or minor, may receive this award per academic year.)

Selection of the awardee is left to the discretion of the Religion Department Faculty Chair in concert with the Religion Department faculty.

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURFs) (For All Other Disciplines)

The SURF program is a university-supported program that supports undergraduate research and creative scholarship in disciplines not supported by our other research programs. In particular, it supports projects that are NOT in the Natural Science Division, the Economics Department, or the Global Studies program.

Up to 5 awards may be given for each summer. The goal of these fellowships is to have students engage in research or creative scholarship that is full-time, faculty-mentored, novel, and presentable outside the university. Projects across a broad range of disciplines are desired, but all must meet the criteria of engaging students in the scholarly process of a field. Creative work projects must be able to provide ample focus on the scholarly process, not just the outcome.

Learn more and apply for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

(805) 493-3781
research@callutheran.edu