Royce Fellowship

Established in 1996 through the generosity of Charles Royce, '61, the Royce Fellowship supports Brown undergraduates as they carry out independent engaged research projects of their own design in locations across the United States and around the world. Fellows conduct their research under the supervision of a faculty member and as part of an interdisciplinary cohort of students from across the university.

The program confers lifetime membership in the Society of Royce Fellows - a community of student scholars, faculty fellows and Royce alumni that offers a forum for reflection, inquiry and intellectual engagement within the university. 

Applicants from all concentrations are welcome, but the fellowship does require the support of a faculty or community mentor and that recipients be in residence at Brown for one semester following the summer research. For further information, please email [email protected].

meet the Royce Fellowship Cohorts
Structure

Application Development Phase

Applications open in UFunds, typically in December (after classes end).
In the spring semester, prospective applicants may work with Swearer Center staff to develop and propose an engaged scholarship research project.
The Swearer Center hosts virtual application writing workshops each spring. Students may register for either workshop, see Events @ Swearer.
A slide deck from the application writing workshops is available to view here.

Application Deadline & Selection:

Applications are due and selection occurs in the Spring semester.

Spring Semester Induction Ceremony & Fellows Institute:

Once selected, Fellows are inducted into the Society of Royce Fellows in a ceremony.
Fellows participate in an orientation (once classes are over), getting to know one another and preparing to embark on their individual research projects by discussing key questions related to the research process.

Summer Research Phase:

Fellows receive a stipend (award amounts vary based on financial need) to pursue their proposed research project over the summer. Fellows participate in regular cohort meetings throughout the summer to discuss progress and troubleshoot.

Fall Cohort Phase:

In the Fall semester following the project summer, fellows participate (as a cohort) in a fall retreat and workshops on applying for post-graduate fellowships, analyzing data, crafting presentations, and disseminating findings.

Fall/ Spring Presentations:

Fellows present their findings (in either Fall or Spring semesters) to the broader campus and Providence community.

Eligibility/Timeline

All rising sophomores, juniors and seniors who will return to Brown for at least one full semester following the summer in which they conduct their research are eligible to apply to the Royce Fellowship.

Students who have applied in previous years are welcome to submit applications for the same or a different proposal to the program. Previous applications have no bearing on the candidacy of a current applicant. U.S. citizenship is not a determinant of eligibility. All eligible fellows receive a Summer Earnings Waiver.

If the proposal requires international travel, the applicant must agree to sign a contract and waiver stating that they will abide by the university’s protocols. Students will not be funded to travel to countries on the State Department's warning list.

Apply

The 2024 application cycle is closed.

Contact

Grace Argo, Assistant Director, Community-Engaged Research

Erin Aoyama, Graduate Assistant, Royce Fellowship