Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships

Overview

The Metropolitan Design Center sponsors an Undergraduate Travel Fellowship Program to encourage students to participate in a self-directed research project in a foreign country. The program offers a unique opportunity for undergraduates to gain personal knowledge and experience by working in a different cultural setting. Applicants should select a research project that reflects urban design issues, particularly those issues that may have some relevance to similar topics of concern in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. The Fellowship is open to all undergraduate students in the College of Design and is recommended for students completing their third academic year. 

To be eligible, students must be:

• Registered for credits in Spring semester preceding travel
• Planning to register for credits in Fall semester after travel
• Enrolled in a program within the College of Design
  

Submission Requirements

Prospective Fellows are expected to submit a 500-word proposal, including:

• A concise abstract followed by a descriptive essay explaining the objectives and expected outcomes of the project.
• A well-documented travel itinerary (1-2 months) outlining specific dates and places to visit and the specific task likely to be accomplished.
• A budget outlining basic travel cost and expenditures.
• A brief portfolio (8.5X11 hardcopy) of work demonstrating evidence of creative work and a short biographical statement.
• Student scholastic transcripts.
• The name of a mentor(s) that will be supporting the research and monitoring the student’s itinerary. 
• All proposals and supporting materials should be submitted to the Metropolitan Design Center by  February 15,  5:00 pm. No late applications can be accepted.

Jury

A jury composed of three Faculty members including the Director of the Metropolitan Design Center will evaluate all proposals. The selection criteria will be based on the uniqueness of the proposal and the potential contribution of the proposed study to the field of urban design.

Awards

Fellowship recipients will be announced on Friday in the first week of April. Student mentors will subsequently work with the winning Fellows to finalize their proposals and review and update the budgets. The Fellowship includes $3,500 to a maximum of $4,000 for student’s travel, accommodations, and incidental expenses. Please note that the award is disbursed into student's accounts during the summer semester, on or around June 6. The Center reserves the right to withhold any or all awards in the absence of worthy applications.

At the completion of the research, Fellows will be required to present their research work in the fall semester to a diverse audience of the faculty, community and representatives of professional organizations. The student work will be exhibited at a reception in Rapson Hall following the student’s presentation.

 

Recent and Past Recipients

 

For additional questions please contact:

Ignacio San Martin, Professor

Dayton Hudson Chair of Urban Design

Director, Metropolitan Design Center
smartin@umn.edu
612-625-9000 (center)
612-624-3509 (direct)