Paterno Fellows Thesis and Research Funding
The Rock Ethics Institute provides financial support for undergraduate students in the Paterno Fellows Program who are working on ethics-related topics and research either within or in preparation for their honors thesis. Financial support for this Rock Ethics Institute award typically ranges from $500 to $2,000 specifically for thesis research and related activities.
Awardees will be required to give a presentation of their research plans at an Institute event during the fall semester of the award and then present their research findings in the subsequent spring semester.
Awardees also should expect to discuss their research and fellowship experiences as part of Institute videos, news releases, blogs, and podcasts.
Awardees will be informed of all Rock Ethics Institute events and will be invited to participate in any events that are of interest to them or which would benefit their research.
Call for Applications
Proposal Deadline:
Students who are eligible and who wish to be considered for a Rock Ethics Institute Thesis and Research Award should complete the online application.
Applicants are required to submit the following with the application:
- A curriculum vitae that includes your Penn State email address, phone number, and mailing address, the name of your thesis adviser(s) (current or expected), and your Penn State student ID number.
- A cover letter that provides:
- A detailed description of the thesis project or the research that is being completed in preparation for the thesis that includes a clear description of the ethics focus of the project (600 words maximum).
- A detailed timetable for completion of the thesis project.
- A budget that lists proposed costs associated with your thesis-related research. The budget should include:
- An itemized projected cost with a brief description (one-to-two sentences) for each item. For example, if you are listing travel costs for research briefly describe the purpose of the travel (i.e., to visit an archive, research center, etc.) and its importance for your thesis research.
- A list of any other funding sources for which you have applied and/or that you have received in support of your thesis research.