How Can I Apply?

In order to navigate the complex array of programs available to you, we strongly recommend that you speak with your college’s fellowship or research office. Here are some of the people that you can speak to if you are at one of the following colleges:

  • Bates College: Kerry O’Brien, Assistant Dean of the Faculty, email kobrien@bates.edu
  • Connecticut College: Marina Melendez, Dean of Juniors and Seniors, email Marina.Melendez@conncoll.edu
  • Middlebury College: Lisa Gates, Associate Dean for Fellowships & Research, email lgates@middlebury.edu
  • Williams College: Clinton Williams, Director of Special Academic Programs, email dcw2@williams.edu   

For contacts at other LADO schools, visit the Partners Contacts page. You can also contact the partner programs’ representatives listed below.

Partner programs for Summer 2022

University of California, Berkeley: Inclusive Excellence Summer Research Experience 

  • Program dates: June 1 – July 29, 2022
  • Application deadline: February 15, 2022
  • Application:
  • Application: See here for the program application information.
  • Contact: Dr. Denzil A. Streete, email: denzil@berkeley.edu

Columbia University: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences’ Summer Research Program (SRP)

  • Program dates: June 5 – August 6, 2022
  • Application deadline: February 1, 2022
  • Application: Apply through the Leadership Alliance. In the application, select Columbia University as one of your preferred research site and indicate C3 as another organization of which you are a part.
  • Contact: Dr. Celina Chatman Nelson, email: chatman.nelson@columbia.edu

University of Chicago: UChicago C3 Summer Research Training Program (SRTP) and Leadership Alliance summer research program

  • Those interested in Mellon-supported fields can apply to both programs.
  • Those interested in non-Mellon-supported fields (eg: STEM) should apply to Leadership Alliance.

University of Chicago C3 Summer Research Training Program (C3 SRTP)
*This program is open to any student attending a school in the LADO consortium.

  • Program dates: June 7 – August 12, 2022 
  • Application deadline: February 23, 2022
  • Application link and instructions can be found here.
  • Program description and details: 2022 SRTP at UChicago
  • Contact: Elise M. LaRose, email: emlarose@uchicago.edu

University of Chicago Leadership Alliance Program

  • Program dates: June 13 – August 12, 2022 
  • Application deadline: February 1, 2022
  • Application: See here for information about the program and a link to the Leadership Alliance website. In the application, select University of Chicago as one of your preferred research sites and indicate C3 as another organization of which you are a part.
  • Contact: Victoria Flores, Associate Director, email: vflores@uchicago.edu

University of Michigan: Michigan Humanities Emerging Research Scholars Program (MICHHERS)

  • Program dates: June 5-17, 2022
  • Application deadline: February 21, 2022
  • Application: See here for the program application information.
  • Contact: Richard Nunn, email: nunnr@umich.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to have prior research experience to apply?

A: No. Applicants with no prior research experience will be actively considered. Please provide in your application evidence of preparation for the challenge of a substantial research project, such as coursework or projects geared toward research, lab work, a description of interest in or knowledge of your desired research topic, etc.

Q: Should I identify a professor at the host institution with whom I would like to do research?

A: Yes. Please provide the names of up to three faculty members with whom you would be interested in working during the program.

None of the four programs can guarantee the availability of selected faculty. However, identifying faculty will help the selection committee at each institution get a fuller idea of your research interest. If you are selected, they will then try to match you with an appropriate faculty and/or graduate student mentor.

Q: Will I be able to work on my own research project, or would I be contributing to the work of faculty or graduate student mentors? 

A: The goal of the summer research program is to provide you with knowledge, tools and training to become an independent scholar, one who will be able to flourish in a graduate program. Depending on your research topic, level of preparedness, and on the faculty and/or graduate student mentor assigned to you, this training may take the form of your being invited to work with others on your mentor’s research project, or your being asked to develop your own research project. Either way, you will benefit from extensive support from your faculty and/or graduate student mentors, as well as from program officials, and you will have the opportunity to present the fruits of your summer’s work at a research symposium at the end of the program.

Q: Do I need to apply to each of the partner program directly in order to be considered for a C3 fellowship?

A: Yes. Please apply to as many of the programs listed above as you wish. In the event that you are selected to more than one program, please let the program know of your choice as soon as possible, so that the seat that is reserved for you at the program that you are not choosing can be offered to another deserving student.

Q: What if my field of interest is not one of those funded by Mellon?

A: If you are interested in conducting research at any of the partner programs listed here in a field different than those funded by C3 (listed on the Who Can Apply? page), you can still apply to any of the programs and be eligible for in-house funding. The Leadership Alliance application is also not limited in terms of field of study. You may also consider applying to one of the programs listed in the Guide to Undergraduate Summer Research.

Selected participants generally receive the same benefits and participate in all activities, regardless of the funding stream.

Q: Is a 3.0 GPA a firm requirement?

A: Typically, the 3.0 GPA requirement is firm. However, each application is given a comprehensive review, and those with a lower GPA may be considered if:

  • A compelling explanation for the lower GPA is provided.
  • The student has shown marked academic improvement.
  • Evidence of potential to engage in graduate level research is provided.
  • The application includes exceptional letters of recommendation.

> Program description
> Who can apply?
> How can I apply?
> Guide to undergraduate summer research

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> C3 Undergraduate Fellows 2013