Application Guidelines

The purpose of the Barth-Crapsey awards is to stimulate high quality primary research by undergraduates in the humanities and social sciences, especially in the fields of government, politics and political history, social and religious history, and literature. Proposals for projects dealing with topics related to the historical and cultural heritage of the Rochester-Monroe County area are also welcomed.

Twice a year, in fall and spring semesters, cash awards of up to $600 will be made to full-time University of Rochester undergraduates, to support research projects in these areas. Projects should be centered mainly in the University Library system; limited travel for research purposes will be considered in grant applications. Each project must involve a faculty supervisor; projects may be undertaken for academic credit, or may be non-credit.

How to Apply

Students can apply for a Barth-Crapsey Award by submitting a project proposal to the Office of Undergraduate Research (via email to undergradresearch@ur.rochester.edu). Project proposals should be double-spaced (excepting lists, resume, transcript), limited to five pages, and contain the following:

  • A description of the project and a statement of its importance.
  • The names of faculty members and library resource-consultants likely to play a consulting or advisory role in the project, with a brief description of their roles in the project. If you haven't done so already, consult the library's list of subject specialists to see which librarian is an expert your subject area and can help you find and evaluate the best sources. Don't forget the special collections in Rush Rhees Library; you may also consult materials at the Sibley Library at the Eastman School of Music and the Miner Library at the School of Medicine and Dentistry.
  • A time-table for work on the project.
  • A budget, itemizing in detail anticipated expenses up to $600 (vague, unspecific statements will not be acceptable). Note: applications for awards less that the $600 limit are wholly in order; in all cases applicants should see to it that their budgets are tight and reasonable to the tasks at hand, not inflated to the limit.
  • A letter of support from the main faculty supervisor, commenting on the merits and feasibility of the project and the capabilities of the applicant.
  • A copy of the applicant's current University transcript. This need not be an official transcript; the copy of your transcript available via Student Access in Blackboard is acceptable.
  • A copy of your resume.

Timeline for Competition

To apply for an award please submit your completed proposal, with cover sheet, according to the following schedule.

  • December 1 for projects to be performed the following spring semester
  • April 30 for projects to be performed the following summer/fall or during the following academic year

An advisory committee will review project proposals and notify applicants three weeks after the deadline for receipt of applications.

Obligations of Barth-Crapsey Fellowship Recipients

As part of their projects, Barth-Crapsey recipients are required to:

  • Submit to the Office of Undergraduate Research (on completion):
    • An essay or other appropriate summary expression of the outcome of the research undertaken.
    • A final budget, indicating how the Barth-Crapsey Award has been spent.
  • Request his/her faculty supervisor to send a letter of evaluation to the Office of Undergraduate Research by the end of the final examination period. It is the responsibility of Barth-Crapsey awardees to remind their supervisors to submit this final evaluation.
  • Present the findings of his/her research in an appropriate forum in the University community (such as a departmental colloquium, the College-wide Undergraduate Research Exposition, or publication in the Journal of Undergraduate Research.)

Any student receiving a Barth-Crapsey Award is obligated to fulfill the terms of the Award, as specified in these guidelines. Failure to do so without good reason will entail repayment of the amount received.