Summer grants can support student research, travel

For Arts & Sciences students looking to create memorable summer experiences, there are a variety of funding opportunities available to enable travel, research and study.

Professor Edgar Rosenberg was a devoted teacher of comparative literature who was passionate about foreign language study. His support created the Edgar Rosenberg Travel Grant, awarded by the Department of Comparative Literature to majors to promote participation in language study outside the United States. Ivy Deng, awarded the grant in 2017, spent eight8 weeks in Rabat, Morocco, studying two different dialects of Arabic.

“I spent most of my time learning the two languages, while sipping on highly caffeinated Moroccan tea, strolling through open-air markets, and making occasional visits to Roman ruins,” Deng said. “I began to understand Moroccan history and politics, as well as the ongoing struggle with colonial legacies of people in Morocco. This opportunity allowed me to not only study Arabic but also develop cultural competence, both of which are pertinent for my research in comparative literature.”

The Department of Asian Studies offers the Summer Study, Research, and Service Travel Grants for culture study and experience in East Asia. Michael Mauer ‘18 was a recipient of the grant in 2017, and spent his summer studying fencing clubs in Japan.

“It was truly amazing to experience the connection I shared with the people I met through our shared love of the sport,” Mauer said. ”These interactions provided invaluable data for my honors thesis, and, more importantly, were an opportunity to deepen my bond with the sport which has defined much of my life for the last few years.”

Many internships with governmental groups, media companies and nonprofits often offer only unpaid internships, while students seek out volunteer opportunities that require travel and living expenses. The Student Assembly Summer Experience Grant (SASEG)  is designed to aid students to complete summer unpaid or minimally paid career experiences. The funding is open to first years, sophomores, and juniors planning to return to Cornell for at least one semester upon completion of the opportunity. The application deadline is April 18, and more information about applying can be found here.

Daniel Holod, a recipient of this grantthe SASEG funding in 2017, spent his summer in South Sumatra conducting research for climate-smart cocoa farming. “I was able to construct and lead focus group discussions, as well as conduct cost analysis interviews of farming practices via an interpreter,” he said. ”The immersion within the local communities was incredible, and I will never forget talking to farmers about their lives on the base of a dormant volcano.”

Another new award award this year provides female undergraduates the opportunity to travel for pleasure. Thanks to a grant from family and friends of Ruth Bierman Linnick ‘60,  and her children, The Ruth Beierman Linnick ‘60 Memorial Travel fund provides up to $5 000 for studentsto female undergraduates in the College with financial need who want and the desire to travel for adventure and exploration. Interested students can apply here.

The full list of travel grants provided by the College can be found here.