Fondren Library invites Rice faculty and library staff to propose projects for students to undertake through its Fondren Fellows program. By proposing a project, you agree to mentor the fellow(s) and to coordinate project work with the Fondren Fellows steering committee. This program funds Rice undergraduate or graduate students to work on research or educational projects that will benefit the library and the scholarly community. Fellows are paid $18 an hour for up to 200 hours of work. Projects should begin in September of 2024 and end by May 1, 2025.
THE FINAL DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MONDAY, JULY 22 AT NOON.
In addition to applying to mentor a Fondren Fellow, you may also request up to $6000 in project funding, which can be used for project-related costs such as training, software, and equipment. These expenses must adhere to Rice’s spending guidelines. A separate fund will be available to cover costs associated with Fellows traveling to present at conferences.
Mentors will receive a $1000 honorarium for their work on a project; they are expected to spend at least 20 hours guiding students and overseeing project work.
Application Instructions
Please submit your proposal to fondrenfellows@rice.edu using this template by MONDAY, JULY 22 AT NOON. You should hear back about your proposal by August 9.
Please contact fondrenfellows@rice.edu or lspiro@rice.edu with any questions.
About the Fondren Fellows Program
Fondren Fellows projects should:
- pose a research question
- balance complexity and feasibility to both design a challenge and present opportunities for independent inquiry and creativity, so that the fellow could complete the project or a coherent portion of a larger project in 200 hours logged hours
- involve the library as a focus or partner, such as by organizing and describing a collection, creating a training program on accessing and managing information, developing a digital scholarship or publishing project, analyzing how to improve a library service, etc.
- include a library staff member as a mentor or liaison (the Fondren Fellows steering committee can assist in linking mentors with liaisons)
Examples of past Fondren Fellows projects include:
- Creating an interactive map to increase the accessibility of the Woodson Research Center's U.S. Civil War collections
- Helping to develop Between Oceans and Continents, an online database and data visualizations about almost 14,000 enslaved Africans registered in Mozambique during the second half of the nineteenth century
- Developing a marketing plan for the library’s scholarly communications program
Given limited resources, projects can expect to have no more than three fellows assigned to them.
What Is Expected of Mentors
By proposing a project, project mentors agree to:
- Participate in a brief orientation to the program.
- Evaluate applications, including through interviews.
- Make ultimate selections of student applicants for your project
- Mentor the fellow(s) by overseeing the development of a project plan, monitoring their progress, and providing guidance throughout the project.
- Evaluate the fellow’s work on a regular basis, including mid-way through and at the end of the program..
- Coordinate with the Fondren Fellows Steering Committee.
- Write a brief report at the conclusion of the fellowship explaining the fellow’s contributions to the project and its outcomes, as well as any lessons learned.
- Provide feedback on the program.
- Acknowledge the Fondren Fellows program in project-related outputs, such as papers, presentations, and websites.
Fondren will provide funding for student fellows, program oversight and coordination, and logistical support; some projects will also receive limited funding for relevant expenses such as training, services or equipmentl. A review panel will select possible projects for the Fondren Fellows program; not all selected projects will necessarily be matched with fellows.
Benefits for Mentors
- Draw upon students’ expertise, insights and time in advancing a research project.
- Provide a high-impact learning experience for students.
- Receive a $1000 honorarium, contingent on meeting mentor expectations and spending at least 20 hours in guiding students and overseeing project work.
- Receive up to $6000 to cover relevant expenses related to the research project.