Research and Projects
Curricular
Mentored Advanced Projects (MAPs)
Many academic programs offer a Mentored Advanced Project (MAP), either as independent study or in the context of a seminar. The MAP, closely guided by a faculty director, gives upper-level students opportunity to culminate a sequence of academic work by completing an advanced project in research or creative arts.
MAPs currently offered include: [link to department MAP offerings]
Independent Study
Guided Reading 297 and Independent Study 397 [links to catalog] provide an opportunity for a student to explore an academic area not part of the present College offerings. Either might include reading of a body of literature, reproducing published scientific experiments, learning advanced techniques, or exploring an art. The design of an independent project is very much in the hands of the student, with advice from the faculty director. Guided Reading and Independent Study, in comparison to projects conducted under the rubric of a Mentored Advanced Project, have less formal application procedures, require significantly less faculty direction, and do not have the expectation of producing results intended for dissemination to the wider scholarly community.
More information: [link to catalog]
Plus 2
A course-related independent study option referred to as the “Plus-2” permits a student to choose an independent study component that adds two credits to a regular course. With the approval of the instructor, this option is available in some courses above the introductory (100) level. The Plus-2 provides opportunities for more extensive work in some aspect of a course, for more extensive exploration of general literature of a course, for additional studio or laboratory activity, or for other corollary work.
More information: [link to catalog]
Directed Research
Directed Research (299 or 399) is an opportunity for a student to work under the continuous direction of a faculty member on a research project, often of the faculty director’s design. Directed research, in comparison to projects conducted under the rubric of a Mentored Advanced Project, has less formal application procedures and does not necessarily have the expectation of producing results intended for dissemination to the wider scholarly community.
More information: [link to catalog]
Additional Research/Project Opportunities
Off-Campus Study
[department-specific options]
A full list of off-campus study options is available through the Off-Campus Study office.
Student Employment
Career Development
Internships
PioneerLink
Search and apply for job and internships through the Office of Career Development’s PioneerLink website.
GRINNELLINK Internships
These internships are specific opportunities with College alumni and friends are open exclusively to Grinnell students. These opportunities are competitive and will provide funding to the selected student. Internship sites change from year to year and may include opportunities in museum studies, art and design, environmental issues, healthcare, social services, biotechnology, financial equity analysis research, and legal services on constitutional issues to name a few. GRINNELLINK internships can be viewed in PioneerLink and at the Career Development Office at 1127 Park Street.
Externships
Externships vary in length, but usually last three to five days. They generally involve shadowing a Grinnell alumnus professional through a normal day's activities and may include informational interviews, a tour of the facility, and participation in actual office projects. This program can help students explore their career options and talk with professionals in order to: [1] clarify their career exploration and interests, [2] connect their course work to outside the classroom and their future plans, and [3] connect with and learn from alumni externship mentors.
More information: Career Development Office
Apprenticeships
Grinnell's Apprenticeship Program adapts the traditional apprenticeship model to suit the unique characteristics of a liberal arts education and the realities of small town development through a unique, network-based approach. The program:
- pairs student apprentices with Grinnell township organizations where they work one-on-one with the executive management at one of several host organizations
- encompasses a range of work, from economic development to art education
- puts apprentices in direct contact with a few of Grinnell's most active organizations in the community
- gives apprentices a support group in which to share professional experiences in weekly lunch meetings that also increase collaboration between agencies
More information: Office of Community Enhancement and Engagement
Awards and Funding
Awards, Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships
Borean Scholarships
Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East.
More information: http://www.borenawards.org/
Application: https://nsep.iieweb.net/nsep/nseplogin.asp
Fulbright Grants
In general, there are two types of Fulbright grants:
- A Fulbright Full Grant, which funds one academic year of overseas study and/or research in one country
- An English Teaching Assistantship (ETA), which funds one academic year of teaching English in one country
Additionally, Fulbright offers several specialized grants, including Travel-Only Grants (which are usually given to graduate students, and only for Italy, Germany, and Hungary), Fulbright/mtvU Awards, Critical Language Enhancement Awards, Fulbright Business Grants (Mexico, Spain, and the Netherlands), Fulbright Journalism Grants (Germany and UK), and Country-Specific Awards to Australia (CSIRO), Ireland (Irish Language), Italy (Slow Foods and Deaf Studies), Mexico (Graduate Degree and Public Policy); and the Netherlands (Water Management).
More information: http://us.fulbrightonline.org
Application: https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/usa/26/
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are highly competitive full-cost awards for full-time graduate study and research in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.
More information: http://www.gatescambridge.org/
Application: http://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/
Gilman Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad.
More information: http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program
Application: http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program/Apply
Marshall Scholarships
Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. Up to forty Scholars are selected each year to study at graduate level at an UK institution in any field of study.
More information: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/
Application: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/applications/apply
Mitchell Scholarship
The Mitchell Scholarship Program, named to honor former US Senator George Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service.
Up to twelve Mitchell Scholars between the ages of 18 and 30 are chosen annually for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
More information: http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/content/3/en/George%20Mitchell%20Scholarship%20Program%20|%20US-Ireland%20Alliance.html
Application: http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/content/43/en/Applying%20to%20the%20G…
Rhodes Scholarships
Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest international educational fellowships, were initiated after the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, and bring outstanding students from many countries around the world to the University of Oxford.
More information: http://www.rhodesscholar.org/
Application: http://www.rhodesscholar.org/applying-for-the-scholarship/
Activities
Organizations
Service
Undergraduate
[field-specific opportunities]
A full list of post-graduate service opportunities is available through the Service Learning and Civic Engagement Program.
Post-Graduate
[field-specific opportunities]
A full list of post-graduate service opportunities is available through the Office of Social Commitment.