James R. Norris, Jr. Grant for Undergraduate Summer Research in Chemistry
Full-time summer research funding for outstanding first-year in Chemistry
The James R. Norris, Jr. Grant for Undergraduate Summer Research in Chemistry is named in honor of Dr. James R. Norris, Jr., the Robert A. Millikan Distinguished Service Professor of Chemistry (retired). During his career, Dr. Norris taught undergraduate General and Physical Chemistry courses, and served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry for six years. As Chair, Dr. Norris was well known for recruiting outstanding new faculty to the Department. Among students, Dr. Norris was known for being inviting of student participation in research and unwaveringly supportive of his students’ careers.
The purpose of the competitive Norris grant is to recognize an outstanding first-year college student who makes a substantial commitment to the performance of full-time summer research in the Department of Chemistry. Recipients of the Norris grant are expected to develop and perform a dedicated research project which could be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
Award:
$4,000 stipend which will be paid out monthly.
May be renewable for up to 3 summers.
More information here: https://chemistry.uchicago.edu/james-r-norris-jr-grant-for-undergraduate-summer-research-in-chemistry
Application Process:
Submit applications by e-mail to: Professor Ka Yee Lee (kayeelee@uchicago.edu)
Application deadline: Third Friday of April
Notification date: First Week of May
Application requirements:
1. Research project proposal (double-spaced, maximum 3,000 words). The project should be well-defined and have specific aims or hypotheses that are possible to complete or test within 10 weeks. The project may be part of a larger, longer on-going research program, but must make a specific, independent contribution to the larger research enterprise. The proposal should include sections such as Background, Specific Aims or Hypotheses, Research Proposed including Methods (including expected statistical methods if relevant), and Potential Impact/Importance.
2. Letter of recommendation from one of your professors in General Chemistry (or Organic Chemistry if taken during the first-year of college).
3. Letter of support from your PI for summer research.
The PI’s letter must state that:
a. The PI has adequate resources and time to support your performance of the proposed research project as your independent research project. The PI will also encourage and support peer-reviewed publication of the project when completed with the undergraduate as first author, given that the undergraduate performs the research and drafts the manuscript for publication.
“Your independent research project” means that the project is primarily your project and not primarily the project of another member of the research group, although you may work closely with a senior member of the research group for guidance and instruction on laboratory methods/techniques.
b. The PI will provide personalized, active mentorship, including frequent feedback regarding project progress, and aid in your career development throughout the duration of your participation in the research laboratory.
4. Copy of transcript for autumn and winter quarters.
5. Up to one-page, single-spaced, Arial, font size 10 autobiographical and vision statement addressing your background and describing a vision for your career.