WHAT'S THIS AWARD FOR?
- international student-directed undergraduate research in any field (or interdisciplinary!)
- must go well beyond standard study-abroad or classroom experience
- your project can include any of the following: research lab experience, creative work, archival research, community-based practice/nonprofit or volunteer work
- projects with a clearly established affiliation in the host country will have priority
WHY APPLY?
- great preparation for an Honors thesis or capstone experience
- deepens your relationship with an NMSU faculty mentor; you’ll rely on that relationship as you develop your thesis/capstone
- great practice for later Fulbright, Boren or other competitive fellowship or grad school applications
- helps acclimate you as a global citizen to the world outside the United States
- helps you develop international friendships and professional connections
HOW DO I APPLY?
- start by talking to a faculty mentor/recommender and to Dr. O, director of the Office of National Scholarships and International Education (aorzoff@nmsu.edu)
- application components: resume; detailed 2-4-page cover letter; faculty recommendation sent directly to Honors
- cover letter should address the following topics in as much concrete detail as possible:
- What’s your research question? How do you intend to try to answer it? Why is this question important, for your discipline and for non-experts?
- What is your research destination? (Why do you need to go there?)
- What is your budget, roughly estimated? (include airfare, lodging, and a rough estimate of daily expenses)
- How much time do you need to do this work?
- How does this project fit into your personal and professional trajectory?
WHEN ARE THE DEADLINES?
April 15: submission deadline for cover letter, resume, faculty recommendation, and any other relevant information supporting your application
April 19-21: interviews for finalists
April 23: announcement of winner
WHO CAN APPLY?
- sophomore and junior Crimson Scholars
- DACC students can apply; must be enrolled at main campus when award begins
- 3.5 cumulative GPA must be sustained throughout application and fellowship period
- priority given to students who have taken several Honors courses or are planning to graduate with University Honors
- international students enrolled at NMSU are not eligible
RUBRIC/CRITERIA
- Rigor: student work of the highest quality
- Commitment to and knowledge of the proposed field of study
- Commitment to and knowledge of the proposed destination country (language ability may or may not be relevant, depending on the circumstances and destination)
- Feasibility: timeframe; access to appropriate support and resources in the host country
DISCLAIMERS:
- NMSU follows State Department guidelines regarding student safety and international travel. Please check the State Department and Education Abroad websites to be sure your chosen destination is considered safe.
- International travel during summer 2021 will depend on each country’s covid-19 status and travel regulations. Don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Orzoff or Dean Camarena about the HCIS during Covid!
