Co-op: College of Liberal Arts

The College of Liberal Arts Student Research Fund supports research by students enrolled in CLA degree programs. Projects may include, but are not limited to, Master’s theses, senior projects, senior theses, or independent studies conducted in any CLA department. Funded projects must have a faculty sponsor who is a member of the faculty in the College of Liberal Arts. If the faculty sponsor is not from the College of Liberal Arts, the student’s department chair must approve the faculty sponsor participation.

Students may use these grants ($500 maximum) to cover the expense of, for example, materials, software, postage, copying, and research travel. Grant money may not be used for tuition, secretarial assistance, entertainment, or for compensating each and every participant in a study. When the project is completed, applicants must submit a copy of the research to the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts.*

How to Apply for a Small Grant for Independent Student Research

First, talk it over with a sponsor
You must discuss your research idea with a faculty member who agrees to serve as sponsor. Working closely with your sponsor, determine:

• the problem to be explored
• the objectives of the project
• the activities to be undertaken
• a budget

Then, write the proposal
Your proposal should be brief—no more than 1000 words, or four double-spaced pages—yet informatively specific and rigorously organized. The proposal must include five sections: Problem, Objectives, Activities, Budget, and Contact Information. You must also include an approval form signed by your faculty sponsor and your department chair.

1. Problem: Describe the problem you wish to explore, or the question to which you seek an answer.
    
2. Objectives: Describe the anticipated outcomes of your project (“To learn …” “To discover…” “To create …”). If appropriate, describe the social and/or scholarly benefits of the project.
    
3. Procedures: Describe what you will do to complete the project. Be sure to aim this description toward generally educated readers who will not be familiar with your professional jargon. At the same time you should thoroughly describe your methods so it is clear how you will be able to answer the problem described in Section 1. Include a timeline with estimated date of completion.
    
4. Budget: Itemize the costs of completing your project. All items requested in the budget should be accounted for in your Procedures. Please remember that grants are limited to $500.

5. Contact Information: Please include your e-mail address.

Finally
Every proposal must be signed by the applicant, the faculty sponsor, and the Chair of the sponsor’s department. Submit your application electronically to Assistant Dean John Smithgall.

Deadlines for Submission of Proposals

There will be two deadlines for submitting applications for awards during each academic year. For projects submitted on September 18 and to be completed during the academic year (October 1-June 30) all funds must be expended by June 30. Proposals submitted on February 15, for projects to be completed from March 1 to June 30, all funds must be expended by June 30.

The funds cannot be applied retroactively, so students are encouraged to plan ahead with their faculty sponsor.

*All applications are to be submitted electronically to Assistant Dean John Smithgall  at jssgla@rit.edu.

Due to university restrictions on non-essential travel as a result of COVID-19, applications for the Student Travel Fund are not being accepted for the 2020-2021 Academic Year. Please contact Assistant Dean John Smithgall with questions.

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Student Travel Fund has two main purposes:

1. To support student travel to present original research/papers at conferences, up to a maximum of $500
2. To encourage study or research abroad, up to a maximum of $750

Application Process (Conference Presentation)
Submit an application which details travel to present a paper at a professional conference. The proposal must include:

• The titled of the conference, dates, and location
• A detailed budget; eligible expenses include conference registration, transportation, accommodations and meals. (If presenting with other students, shared accommodations will be preferred, when possible.)
• Written evidence that the paper was accepted for presentation
• Approval form signed by your sponsoring faculty or your advisor and home department chair

Please note, these funds cannot be applied retroactively, so please plan ahead with your faculty sponsor.

Application Process (Study Abroad/International Research)
Submit an application which details the following:

• A brief description of no more than 300 words regarding the travel, its purpose and its value to your educational or professional enrichment
• The duration of time to be spent abroad
• A budget itemizing expenses
• Proof of acceptance into a study abroad programor approval of the research project if working with outside sponsors at the time of this application. Note the degree of your language preparation, if applicable.
• Approval of your advisor and department chair

Timeline

**All applications are to be submitted electronically to Assistant Dean John Smithgall at jssgla@rit.edu.

The Clark Internship Support Fund supports internships and co-ops for students enrolled in the degree programs of the College of Liberal Arts. It is intended to provide partial financial assistance to students who wish to accept professionally valuable internships and co-ops that do not include sufficient levels of financial support. Awards shall be based on academic merit or financial need, at the discretion of the award committee, and though the award is available to both men and women, preference shall be given to women enrolled in the programs of the College.

The College of Liberal Arts reviews applications for Clark internship assistance each fall and spring. (See application dates below.) Applicants must be Liberal Arts degree program students who plan to go on a co-op or internship during the upcoming fall, spring, or summer semesters.

How to apply 
Complete an application form and send it along with verification of co-op/internship offer to Assistant Dean John Smithgall (jssgla@rit.edu)
Deadlines: November 8th (for spring co-ops/internships) and March 27th (for summer or fall co-ops/internships)

Things to note if you receive an award
If you are selected to received Clark Internship Support Funds, you will be required to write a "thank-you" note to donors who made this award possible. Details on donor names and titles will be provided by the Office of Student Services, which will also handle postage and mailing of the notes.

You will also be required to write a brief summary (2-3 pages) of your experiences. This paper is due within three weeks of the start of the semester following completion of your internship.

The Alumni & Friends Endowed Scholarship supports students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities in the College or RIT, are enrolled full time in a Liberal Arts undergraduate degree program, and are in good academic standing. Eligible students must have a GPA of at least 3.0 in their degree program. The scholarship rewards students who have exercised leadership in improving the life of the RIT community.

The deadline for applications is the first Friday in April.

The Alumni & Friends Endowed Scholarship is administered by a committee appointed by the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Applications must include the following:

• A letter of support from the Chair of the student's program attesting to his or her good academic standing.
• Either a letter from a faculty member who can speak to the student's performance in a particular course or a letter from a member of the RIT community who has observed the student's work in a leadership capacity.
• A short essay of 250-500 words. In this essay the student should describe a specific event or activity in which she or he took a leadership role, explain that role, and discuss the benefit to the College or RIT community.

Examples of leadership include but are not limited to: serving as an officer in an active club or student organization, organizing an important event, or making a significant contribution to the College or RIT community independently of any particular club or organization.

Completed student applications and letters of support (chair and faculty or RIT community member) should be submitted directly to: John Smithgall Assistant Dean, Director of Student Services (jssgla@rit.edu)

This new initiative aims to connect Rochester regional businesses and nonprofits with highly skilled summer interns from Rochester Institute of Technology — at no cost to the organization — while at the same time providing College of Liberal Arts students with valuable professional experiences that build skills and career readiness. 

Beginning summer of 2023, five to ten College of Liberal Arts students will be awarded a $3,000 stipend to offset costs for pursuing a summer internship in the Rochester region. RIT’s Career Services and CLA Student Services offices will partner with employers to provide a valuable experience that benefits both employers and students — helping students gain workplace experience while also supporting employer and workforce talent needs in Rochester.

More information about how to apply will be coming soon.