Purpose
The Kolenkow-Reitz fellowship provides research support for enrolled Carleton students working with non-Carleton science and math faculty at another institution during the summer or over winter break. These research opportunities are intended to encourage Carleton students’ development as scientists and their exploration of mathematics, statistics, and the sciences as a possible career.
Eligibility
Carleton students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply for this funding. Before applying, students should have already contacted and discussed the nature and timing of their project with the person they are planning to work with as well as a faculty member at Carleton who can vouch for the project and its alignment with your professional development goals.
Because the intent of the fellowship is exploration in STEM fields, priority is given to students who have completed coursework related to the proposed research, but who have not yet had a significant funded research experience (7 or more weeks). Please note that students previously supported through the Kolenkow-Reitz Fund (winter break or summer) are less likely to receive funding, but are still eligible to apply. The Career Center also offers internship funding that can, in some cases, be applied to research experiences in STEM.
Sometimes, the host institution has funds available to support summer student research through REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) or similar programs. If you are eligible, it is a good strategy to apply for funding through an REU at the host institution (which may also include funding for room and board in addition to stipend) as well as applying for K-R funding through Carleton.
Having applied to an REU program through the host institution will be viewed positively, and will not decrease your chances of receiving funding through K-R if the REU program does not provide support. Please talk to your advisor or the faculty member who you’re consulting in your application if you would like help finding out if the host institution has REU funds available.
Support
Awards are for $500 per week of full-time work, for up to 10 weeks (summer) or 3 weeks (winter break). Additional expenses up to $500 ($150 for winter break) can be requested to help defray travel or research supply expenses. Note that students must work full-time on the project during the funding period. That is, students may not accept any other concurrent jobs.
Some of the application questions include:
Carleton transcript, project title, project advisor email and the nature and extent of your communication with them, description of project, personal statement (including your educational and professional development goals for this research experience), previous research experience and funding sources, dates of work, funds requested.
Application Deadlines
Winter Break Application Deadline: 5:00 PM on Monday, October 3, 2022; Awardees will be notified by Monday, October 24, 2022.
Summer Break Application Deadline: 5:00PM on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Awardees will be notified by Monday, April 10, 2023.
Questions? Please contact Paula Stowe.