Undergraduate Research with the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere
Applications for Summer/Fall 2024 are now closed.
ELIGIBILITY FOR 2024 PARTICIPATION
- Students intending to graduate Fall 2024 or later may apply.
- The GPA requirement is 3.0 and above.
- Must be available to enroll in an in-person Summer A 2024, IDS 4911, 3-credit class.
- No previous research experience is required.
- Students of all majors may apply.
NOTE: University Scholars and CLAS Scholars cannot hold both awards unless they can clearly demonstrate two entirely different research subjects for Fall 2024.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applications for the Grass Scholars Program are now closed for 2024.
Please read this entire page before beginning your application.
The application includes the following elements:
- Information about the Applicant
- Short Narrative Questions
- Faculty Endorsement (Optional)
FAQ:
How will I receive my funding?
The $2,000 in funding will be disbursed as a scholarship by CHPS. The award will be paid out in two installments: $1,500 disbursed when the Summer A course is completed, then $500 after students participate in a Research Symposium to present their independent project in the Fall term.
What kind of applicant is the program looking for?
Successful applicants to the Grass Scholars Program will demonstrate the following characteristics:
- Motivated to learn about how to bring careful thinking, interpretation, writing, and communication skills to questions about human society and culture.
- Ready to take advantage of the opportunity to learn with UF faculty and staff, Gainesville community members, and peers about the humanities, to pursue a research project, and to present the findings.
What are the requirements for completing the award?
During the term of the award, a Grass Scholar must:
- Take a Summer A, IDS 4911, 3-credit class that will introduce humanistic methods and questions and involve completion of a research project.
- Complete independent research in the fall semester.
- Engage in the life of the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere.
- Participate as an active mentee in relationship with a faculty member.
- Present their research at the Center’s Undergraduate Research Symposium at the end of the fall semester.
Do I need any prior research experience?
No, you do not need any prior research experience to apply to the program.
Do I need to have a major in the humanities?
No, any major may apply to the program.
Could I still participate in the program if I am studying abroad in Fall 2024?
Please still apply to the program. However, be in touch with CHPS Program Manager Alison Walsh at humanities-center@ufl.edu to discuss the details of your plan.
TIMELINE FOR 2024 GRASS SCHOLARS
Monday, February 5, 2024: Application opens
Monday, February 19, 2024: Info Session (Click here to watch the recording)
Thursday, February 29, 2024, 11:59 pm: Application closes
Monday, March 11*, 2024: Applicants notified of status, recipients announced
(*Based on the high volume of quality applicants, we hope to have an update on application status during the week of March 18th.)
Tuesday, April 16, 2024: Grass Scholars Orientation and kickoff meeting with CHPS faculty and staff
For questions on the program contact CHPS Program Manager Alison Walsh, at humanities-center@ufl.edu.
About Alexander Grass
Alexander Grass (1927-2009) was an attorney, businessman, and founder of the Rite Aid Corporation, a major national retail drugstore chain. Mr. Grass completed his law degree at UF in 1949. Beyond his success in business, he is remembered for his commitment to community service and his generosity as a community philanthropist. Although Grass originally hailed from and operated his business in Pennsylvania, his generous support of UF’s campus, including the endowed chair in the Center for Jewish Studies, is a testament to the impact of his time as a student here. As noted in a 1997 interview (archived with UF’s Samuel Proctor Oral History Program), the humanities courses he completed at UF fostered an interest in the arts that continued throughout his life.
The Alexander Grass Scholars Program will allow the Center to directly involve undergraduate students in our mission to connect humanities research endeavors with the community where we live and teach. The Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere is honored to be a part of his lasting legacy.