Who can apply?
First-year students enrolled in the School of Foreign Service (SFS) are eligible to apply. While students were previously required to be nominated by their Proseminar faculty, now any SFS professor can write a letter of recommendation, and students can self-apply through the GMS platform.
How do I apply?
Eligible students can self-apply to the MURF program by submitting an application through GMS. Applications will open in the spring semester to give first-year students time to build relationships with faculty and complete their first semester of coursework. Any SFS professor may write a letter of recommendation.
When is the deadline?
Applications for the MURF program will open in early spring. Specific dates will be communicated when the application process begins.
What happens next?
A faculty panel will review applications, and students will be notified of their admission decision by the end of the Spring semester. Admitted students will begin their research fellowship in the summer before Sophomore year.
How many students will be selected?
Six first-year students will be selected each year.
What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship typically spans the student’s undergraduate career, lasting three to four years. This duration allows for a strong mentor-mentee relationship to develop, providing students the opportunity to progressively build research skills and transition to independent research by their junior or senior year.
How is the fellowship structured?
Fellows will begin as research assistants, working closely with their faculty mentor on assigned tasks to develop foundational research skills. Over time, students will transition to independent research projects, especially as their research interests evolve. MURFs will also participate in a workshop over the summer, led by faculty or PhD students, to learn how to develop research questions. More details can be found in the Mortara Undergraduate Research Fellows Four Year Program Guide.
What kinds of research duties will fellows engage in?
Fellows will assist professors with tasks such as literature collection, writing literature reviews, collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, summarizing research materials, and editing written work. Students may also participate in faculty seminars and conferences. Research duties will evolve based on the needs of the mentor and the skills of the Fellow.
What is the time commitment?
Fellows are expected to work eight to twelve hours per week during the academic year. This is a significant time commitment, so students should plan accordingly.
Is the fellowship paid?
Yes! Fellows receive an hourly wage, which increases as they gain more research experience. Additionally, funds for research materials, books, software, and conference-related costs are available as needed.
Will the students present and publish their research?
Sophomore and senior Fellows will present their research at the annual Mortara Undergraduate Research Fellow Symposium in May, providing them with an opportunity to develop presentation skills and share their research findings. Fellows are also encouraged to participate in other research activities and public forums at Georgetown and beyond.
Students are not expected to publish their research in the first year. Publishing takes time and dedication, but with support from their faculty mentor, Fellows can explore opportunities to publish in undergraduate research journals, especially in their junior and senior years.
FAQ link: https://mortara.georgetown.edu/research/student-opportunities/murfs/frequently-asked-questions/
General MURF Link:
https://mortara.georgetown.edu/research/student-opportunities/murfs/
Timeline for MURF link:
https://mortara.georgetown.edu/research/student-opportunities/murfs/timeline/