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Research Fellowship Application Guidelines

Below, find suggestions for creating a successful application for one of the Global Health Research Fellowships.

Funding and writing guidelines

This application is for undergraduates seeking funding for their independent research. Note that independent research does not mean without faculty involvement; rather, it means the research idea was initiated by the student, and the student will be conducting the research but under the supervision and support of an NU faculty member.

Though surveys and interviews are important forms of research, there are lots of additional types of research methods as well as places where one can do research, and we strongly encourage students to think beyond research that is person-facing. Research for possible GHS funding includes archival and library-based inquiry; exploration of natural and built environmental spaces as well as infrastructures; art and material culture exploration, including museums and theatres; and online datasets.

Writing Your Proposal: Guidelines

Before embarking on writing up your proposal, please read carefully and follow the guidelines as outlined for an NU URG; you should pay particular attention to the sections on choosing a faculty advisor and on human subject research.

Your proposal needs to have the following sections: an Introduction, a Background/Literature Review, Methodology, and an outline of your Qualifications. Each of these sections should be indicated with a subheading per section. You also need a bibliography, which does not count as a part of the word limit. Attach an appendix with a plan for how you will conduct your research as well as any supporting documentation you may need.

Students should do the following, as reviewers will consider these criteria when evaluating proposals:
  1. Ask a clear, focused research question
  2. Clearly situate your project and your question within the relevant literature, identify a gap in the knowledge you hope to address/fill, and why it is important to do so
  3. Define your terms
  4. Justification of methodology proposed
  5. Justification of the location of the study as proposed
  6. Justification of the population to be studied
  7. Outline preparation to undertake the project; this can include coursework and/or previous research
  8. Evidence you can access the necessary materials
  9. If the projects requires/is dependent upon the coordination and involvement of others, in your appendix there should be evidence to show you have this support
  10. Explanation of how the content and your analysis connects to your research question
  11. That you justify your timeframe and the location of your study and that the scope of the project is achievable within your timeframe
  12. If you need IRB approval, evidence of CITI training (your certificate in Social and Behavioral Research) needs to be part of the appendix; IRB approval can be obtained once you have received funding from GHS
Additional criteria for GHS funding:
  1. Students must read and follow the proposal guidelines. For questions and guidance on writing a proposal, please see the NU URG site.
  2. Students must develop their proposals in conjunction with an NU faculty member who has an expertise in the area the students wants to do research.
  3. We strongly encourage research that is not person-facing. If you are proposing a project that is person-facing (e.g. you want to interview or survey people), your reasoning for why this is the only method from which you can obtain an answer to your question(s) must be very explicit and you must have very clear qualifications indicating you have training to do this sort of person-facing research.
  4. We do not fund undergraduate research:
    1. if the population to be researched is vulnerable; vulnerable populations include children, pregnant people, incarcerated people, patients, or vulnerable populations in particular settings such as LGBTQ+ individuals in a country where their identity and practices are already considered illegal, victims of trauma, e.g. kids, patients, institutionalized populations, etc. 
    2. if it is to occur outside the US without an in-country supervisor; 
    3. if it involves clinical-level engagement by the student
  5. If the proposed research is to happen outside the US, the proposal must have a clear indication why the work has to be conducted at the location (e.g. the work is to be done in an archive or a museum).
  6. If the proposed research is to happen outside the US, the student must have an in-country supervisor who will commit to supervising the student and being available. GHS will support funding for preceptors or research supervisors. This requirement may be waived if the research to be done is entirely in a formal institutional setting such as a library, archives, or museum.
    1. We prefer students work with our university partners, they can talk to the Office of International Relations within the Office of the Provost to find out which institutions we have pre-exisiting partnerships with.

Topics, Choosing a country/site, and Travel Risks

  1. Brainstorm a topic that you are familiar with and/or have previous experience in.
  2. Contact someone who has experience in the field you are trying to research, preferably a professor with expertise in global health.
  3. Develop a thorough proposal outline and/or draft, which should include a potential budget and contacts you have made.
  4. Meet with your faculty adviser to finalize your research plan.
  5. Submit your proposal.
  6. Upon acceptance, attend the mandatory Responsible Conduct of Global Health Research Seminar.

Tips for choosing a country

Identify the risks of traveling to country of choice.

Security/political environment

Northwestern’s University policy on travel does not permit NU to sponsor or pay for project participation in a country that has been issued a travel warning by the U.S. Department of State. Please visit their website for travel warning information.

Travel-related diseases, immunization and disease-testing requirements

These risks depend on country and length of visit. See Centers for Disease Control Website for details.

Tips for securing a site to perform research

  1. Gather references and contact information from student organizations (e.g. GlobeMed, Global Water Brigades, Engineers for a Sustainable World), GLO partners, personal connections, previous internships or local NGOs, and students and/or faculty members who have previously completed research at your desired location.
  2. Contact a health care facility or institution within that region to find out if they are interested in hosting a visiting student to perform research activities.

Tips for identifying travel risks

Use a current travel guide and/or find information online to identify risks and consult with on-site program sponsor. Possible Sources of Reference:

Learn about your adviser's rights and responsibilities

Tips for filling out your application details

Make sure you address the following points when completing your application.

On-site contact information

Name of university or organization you will be working with abroad, the contact you have made on-site, emergency contact information. You are welcome to supplement your application with literature about the organization or institution you intend to work with.

Foreign languages spoken

It is particularly important to include those that are useful to the area you will be traveling to. If you do not speak the native language will interpretation services be provided?

Budget

Provide a breakdown of the estimated expenses for the trip. This should include:

Tips for IRB exemption or approval

You must apply for Institutional Review Board (IRB) exemption or approval if you are applying for IPD Research Fellowship. Your adviser, a Northwestern Faculty member should serve as your principal investigator. Please visit Northwestern’s IRB website. For a more in-depth look at the IRB application process, also look at the Office of Undergraduate Research's IRB-Human Subjects Research webpage.
  1. Complete CITI training
  2. Apply for IRB using eIRB system
  3. Adviser/Principal Investigator must submit study
  4. Check eIRB for updates and edits

Ready to apply?

Fill out this application for consideration for Global Health Studies research fellowships.