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CLP Undergraduate Research Award

Program dates: November 2023 – June 2024 
Application due Friday, October 27, 2023 by 5:00 pm.  Download the Application here.

Applications and letters of recommendation should be emailed to Penelope Johnson at penelope.johnson@northwestern.edu

The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute invites Northwestern undergraduates to apply for a $1,000 grant designed to provide a student, or team of students, with support for interdisciplinary research with a CLP faculty member. The funds are designated for the purchase of scientific supplies, and registration and travel costs to the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium (CAURS) in April 2024.

For all questions, please contact penelope.johnson@northwestern.edu

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be Northwestern undergraduates. Research must be conducted with a CLP faculty member. Preference is given to rising juniors and seniors. Students must conduct their research with a CLP faculty member. Previous lab experience is suggested. Applicants will be selected based upon their academic achievements and scientific interests. CLP funds one student each year.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Completed application form. Click here to download the form.
  • A one-page, single-sided proposal describing the research you would conduct if selected for this program. Include title of project centered at top of the page. Use a standard 10 to 12 point font. A second page is allowed for figures and/or references.
  • A letter of recommendation from a CLP faculty member.
  • Applications and letters of recommendation should be emailed to Penelope Johnson at penelope.johnson@northwestern.edu

HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PROPOSAL

Those in a lab: Work with your PI for his/her/their assistance with developing a proposal and to ask for a letter of recommendation.

Those who are looking to join a lab: Once you have an idea of whose lab you would like to join, reach out to the faculty member to set up a meeting. If possible, plan to do this at least four weeks before the application due date.  Additionally, Northwestern’s Office for Undergraduate Research has a great website with resources on how to find a lab, develop a project, and working with faculty. https://undergradresearch.northwestern.edu/overview/

Projects may include research in the following areas:

  • Chemistry
    • Organic Synthesis
    • Inorganic Synthesis
    • Spectroscopy
    • Polymer Chemistry
    • Biochemistry
    • Catalysis
    • Theory
  • Chemical Engineering
    • Polymer
    • Chemistry
    • Polymer Physics
    • Catalysis
    • Biochemical Engineering
    • Biomaterials
    • Modeling and Simulation
  • Materials Science
    • Metals
    • Biomaterials
    • Electronic Materials
    • Ceramics
    • Polymers
    • Computational
  • Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Cell Biology
    • Biochemistry
    • Structural Biology
    • Cell and Molecular Biology
    • Biophysics
    • Hormone Action
    • and Signal Transduction
    • Genetics and Developmental Biology
  • Physics
    • Experimental Condensed Matter
    • Theoretical Condensed Matter
    • Lasers

Projects can include use of the following facilities:

EXPECTATIONS

The research award allows the student to participate in research independent of the regular curriculum for two+ quarters. Students are required to:

  • Perform two+ quarters of research
  • Present a research poster or give an oral presentation at the Chicago Area Undergraduate Research Symposium held in
    April 2024.

Students are highly encouraged to actively participate in:

  • CLP Lunch & Learns
  • CLP-sponsored workshops
  • Institute-sponsored symposia