Sherman Fairchild Foundation grant expands summer research opportunities for science students

Connecticut College has been awarded $247,500 from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation to fund stipends for student summer research projects in the sciences.

Student-faculty research is an integral part of the science programs at Connecticut College. Students have opportunities to conduct research with faculty during the academic year and for in-depth research experiences during summer break. Academic year and summer research opportunities are also available for students in the humanities.

The Sherman Fairchild Foundation grant will fund stipends for an additional 15 science students each year for three years, beginning in summer 2014. Each award will total $5,500 to cover supplies, travel to scientific meetings to present research results, travel to and from campus, and food. On-campus housing will be provided.

"Summer research is the strongest interaction between our students and faculty, and where they begin to combine what they learn in the classroom with real-world problem solving,” said Roger Brooks, dean of the faculty." The College’s goal is to provide a research internship, individual study or honors experience for 80 percent of our students. This grant from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation will help expand student-faculty research collaborations in the sciences and help us achieve this goal.”

Connecticut College has a strong history of undergraduates in the sciences participating in faculty research. In the last seven years, 113 students have co-authored published research papers with science faculty. The College’s new state-of-the-art Science Center at New London Hall also promotes collaborative research with enhanced laboratory and classroom space.

Students interested in pursuing a funded summer research project in the sciences will be asked to submit a written proposal with their faculty mentor containing a detailed statement of the proposed work, as well as a statement describing the importance of the fellowship for meeting the student’s career goals. A letter of recommendation from the faculty mentor and the student’s transcript will also be submitted.



January 10, 2014