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By Matthew Schule, Staff Writer

Want to participate in summer research? Look no further, Manhattan College has three different opportunities this summer: The Jasper Summer Scholars, the Branigan Scholars Grant, and the Kakos School of Arts & Sciences Summer Research program. 

Recently, the program advisors and Center for Career Development (CCD) held an information session explaining what the programs consisted of. The leaders of this info session included assistant director of the Center for Graduate School and Fellowship Advisement Adrianne Bilous, Ph.D., assistant dean of the Kakos School of Arts & Sciences Bridget Chalk, Ph.D. and Ashley Cross, Ph.D.    

Such research opportunities at MC are fully funded fellowships lasting from the end of the spring semester to around early fall semester. 

Students from every school have the opportunity to create a proposal exploring a specific area of interest which they will research throughout the summer alongside a professor. Students can apply for all grant opportunities, but may only receive one if selected.

To apply, students must create a three-to-four-page proposal overviewing the significance of their inquiry, a description of how they will execute the project and the goals and objectives they hope to achieve through committing to this work. 

They will also present their research, upon completion, to the MC community.

“The grants awarded to our scholars provide the means by which students can pursue their academic passions and strengthen their skills of critical thinking and analysis, all while developing the kinds of knowledge that will be invaluable in their professional lives or postgraduate studies,” Chalk said. 

The Jasper Summer Research Scholars fellowship entails a $3000 stipend, alongside extensive guidance provided through the Center For Graduate School and Fellowship Advisement as the research participants progress through the course of their research. 

Additionally, students may live on campus during the summer alongside fellow peers pursuing their research in order to foster a greater sense of community among those contributing to their intellectual passions.

The Branigan Scholars Grant is similar to the Jasper Summer Research Scholars program, with a few key differences. Established through the Edward Branigan Fund, this fellowship is enhanced with the added support of the National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant. 

This grant is restricted only to students within the Kakos School of Arts & Sciences and may only be used for humanities-based projects. Before students can present their work to the Manhattan College community, they must present their research before the Branigan Committee for a final review. 

Only around 30 students are selected for the Kakos School of Arts and Sciences Research fellowship. Students receive a stipend as well as eligibility for free housing on campus over the summer. 

Students will need to have their proposal signed by their faculty sponsor and the department chair of their major. This grant will also require students to present their work through an oral presentation alongside a five page report of the types of research methods used and what results they obtained. They will then be required to submit the results of their work to a peer-reviewed scientific journal or present their work at a regional or national science conference within two years of completing their research.

Senior biology major Skye Lehr, who completed a summer research project last summer, spoke to The Quadrangle about how doing research has impacted her time at the college.

“Completing a research project has definitely made my time at Manhattan [College] something I can be even more proud of,” Lehr said. “I was able to accomplish something that a lot of people don’t get to do in undergrad and I think it was a really special opportunity.” 

The possibilities for research provided by Manhattan College allow students to make the most of their talents and interests by putting them into practice and giving them a direction and a platform to share their passions with the world.

Another student interested in applying for a research grant this summer, Stephanie Peterson, spoke of this opportunity.

“I am eager to apply for this opportunity, as it offers a unique perspective distinct from my regular classroom activities,” Peterson said. “Additionally, I just recently had the experience of studying abroad during winter break which has inspired me to continue the learning journey.” 

The deadline for submitting a proposal to any of the three research grants is Feb. 25, and all are encouraged to take advantage of such opportunities.