Summer Research Fellowship Selection
Summer Research Fellowship Selection Rubric
Category |
Category Measures |
Academic Record |
Applicant has a strong academic record as evidenced through one or more of the following: publications/presentations; awards/honors, professional experience, grants/fellowships, etc. listed on their CV and/or referenced by the advisor or nominator; scholarly, professional, or community activities that have enhanced their teaching and/or research qualifications; cross-disciplinary research endeavors. |
Advisor Support |
Advisor's statement clearly articulates how the applicant will be supported throughout the summer months and commits to providing an evaluation at the end of the fellowship term. |
Feasibility |
Applicant's research plan is feasible for the timeline proposed and all materials, including advisor recommendation and program nomination, indicate the upcoming summer is the ideal opportunity to complete the research plan. |
Readability |
Applicant's materials are clearly written and understandable to a general audience outside of their field and utilize appropriate use of text, charts, and graphs. |
Research Design |
Applicant's research goals are clearly outlined and feasible for the timeline proposed, explore specific and important questions, acknowledge potential benefits and limitations, and are supported by appropriate quantitative or qualitative methodology; IRB approval has been granted, if necessary. |
Summer Research Fellowship Funding Priority
Score |
Funding Priority |
A |
Applicant has not received previous non-service funding. Applicant has primarily been self-funded or funded through teaching assistantships, limiting their ability to focus on their dissertation efforts. No previous summer support. |
B |
Applicant has received minimal non-service funding, but has still been primarily supported through teaching assistantships or research assistantships that are not related to the applicant's dissertation research. No previous summer support. |
C |
Applicant has received some previous non-service support. Research assistantships have been directly related to the applicant's dissertation research. Minimal previous summer support. |
D |
Applicant has benefited from multi-year funding opportunities, including continuing non-service fellowships and research assistantships. Applicant has received previous support for their research project and other summer support. |
Summer Research Fellowship Scoring Considerations
Score |
Scoring Considerations |
1 |
Applicant qualifications are evident for all category measures and compelling, relevant, numerous, and clearly-articulated for all measures |
1.5 |
Applicant qualifications are evident for all category measures and compelling, relevant, numerous, and clearly-articulated for most measures |
2 |
Applicant qualifications are evident for most of the category measures, but are not as compelling and numerous as a “1” or “1.5” score |
2.5 |
Applicant qualifications are evident for most of the category measures, but are not as compelling, numerous, and well-articulated as a “1” or “1.5” score |
3 |
Applicant qualifications are lacking for some category measures or are not as compelling or clearly-articulated as a “2” or “2.5” score |
3.5 |
Applicant qualifications are lacking for some category measures and are not as compelling or clearly-articulated as a “2” or “2.5” score |
4 |
Applicant qualifications are insufficient for some or most of the category measures or cannot be assessed because the information provided is poorly articulated |
Overview of Selection Process
Each application will be reviewed by a minimum of three faculty reviewers who will assign a score in each category. Scores will range from 1-4, with “1” representing the strongest score. Half-point scores (1.5, 2.5, 3.5) will be available. Scores will be multiplied by their funding priority to create a composite score for each applicant. Composite scores will be standardized by reviewer, and applicants will be ranked according to the resulting z-score, lowest to highest. The ranking will be considered for the final selection. In the event of a tie, priority will be based on funding priority, program ranking, and expanding program diversity within the cohort, as appropriate.
Contact Us
Graduate School Fellowships Office
gradfunding@unc.edu