Proposal Process
Proposals will be considered on a rolling basis as long as funding is available. In order to allow for summer travel, full consideration will be given to proposals submitted by May 1 prior to the academic year in which the student will work on the honors thesis. The second round deadline is September 1. Proposals submitted later (for instance, in the fall for January travel) will be considered depending on funding availability but should be submitted no later than November 1.
Proposals should be submitted through the IOCE Portal at least three months before the intended start date of travel, if possible. All proposals will be reviewed by the Associate Dean of the Curriculum in collaboration with the Off-Campus Studies Committee. The following information should be included in the proposal:
- Name of the student and title of the honors thesis project
- A description of the honors thesis project and of the anticipated benefits that conducting research abroad would bring to the project (approx. 300-500 words). The description should bring out clearly how the research addresses current developmental, educational, environmental, political, social, or other related issues as well as how the student plans to engage with the local population or agencies, institutions, or other stakeholders.
- A research plan outlining the goals and a timeline for the research travel component
- A brief statement of the student’s familiarity with the destination, culture, and language (if applicable); this may be addressed separately or incorporated into the project description
- A statement of approval by the designated main advisor for the honors thesis, as well as the names and signatures of the additional faculty members anticipated to be on the thesis committee. If obtaining a physical signature is not possible, an email from the faculty members sent directly to the Director of International and Off-Campus Education will suffice.
- If funding is also sought for faculty travel, a separate detailed rationale, including an anticipated budget, from the faculty member explaining why the student should be accompanied
- A proposed budget using the IOCE budget template.
- Depending on the destination where the research will be conducted, the proposal may be subject to further review and approval by the International Risk Committee; applicants will be notified by IOCE if this is the case.
If a proposal for travel and research support is granted, further instructions about travel registration, stipend disbursement, and academic reporting requirements after travel will be sent to the student and associated faculty members.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be in good academic and disciplinary standing
- Applicants must be working on an honors thesis
Recipient Expectations and Requirements
- Awardees will be required to complete a pre-departure process through IOCE at least two weeks prior to departure for the program.
- While traveling, recipients will be required to check in periodically with the Director of International and Off-Campus Education.
- Within 30 days of return, recipients are expected to submit a statement summarizing their research activities to the Director of International and Off-Campus Education
- When the final thesis is submitted, recipients should share a copy with the Director of International and Off-Campus Education who may share it with other relevant campus offices.
Whom should I contact with questions?
Questions about the application process, creating a budget, and travel advice can be sent to Rochelle Keesler at keeslerr@lafayette.edu.