Undergraduate Fellowships
The undergraduate Ethics Research Fellowship (ERF) program is an immersive, interdisciplinary, three-year mentorship experience that equips students to harness contemporary moral theory and the analytical tools of their major to carry out ambitious research that pushes forward major ethical debates. In a close community, we train each fellow to identify and grow an excellent thesis project that aligns with their interests and contributes to the scholarly discourse of their field. Together, fellows develop their sense of purpose and character while pursuing the common good. In hope, wisdom, and creativity, ethics research fellows bring their best thinking to bear on the pressing moral issues of our time.
Sophomore Year: Discernment
Identifying Your Research Focus
- Weekly seminars for exploring key ethical concepts, and targeted training for identifying a compelling undergraduate thesis project
and growing their academic network - A funded fall break research-vision trip to England
- A paid second-semester research assistantship with ND/ECG faculty ($1,300)
Junior Year: Adventure
Carry out your ambitious research plan
- Dedicated research grant funding for accessing new resources, building new studies, analyzing data, working a research-related internship, etc.
- Participation in ECG community events.
- One-on-one research support and mentorship with ECG staff.
Senior Year: Impact
Research that furthers the common good
- Public engagement training workshops and presentation opportunities.
- Leadership development through mentoring the sophomore fellows.
- Critical conversation on vocational discernment and character.
During fall break, fellows have the opportunity to take part in a research vision experience. In 2024, that experience took place in London.
Eligibility
Any rising sophomore (current first year student) who plans to have at least one major (or supplementary major) in a humanities or social science field is eligible to apply. As the second semester of sophomore year includes having a paid research assistantship, fellows must be eligible to work in the United States and be on campus for both semesters of their sophomore year.
Application Process
Fellows will be selected by a competitive application, referral, and interview process. Applicants submit the following materials:
- A statement of interest, analyzing an ethical question that fascinates you and your own story why you’re interested in being a fellow.
- Contact information for one faculty reference. The faculty reference must be a professor of an academic class within your prospective major or a field closely related to your prospective major.
The application process is now closed.