Clare Boothe Luce Research Scholars Program at Iona
The Henry Luce Foundation has awarded Iona University a prestigious Clare Boothe Luce (CBL) Research Scholars grant. This grant will support CBL Undergraduate Research Awards for women who are majoring in the physical sciences, mathematics, and computer science – fields where women have been historically underrepresented nationally.
The CBL Research Scholars program supports talented undergraduate scholars who will immerse in summer research projects for a 10-week period with meaningful research opportunities in the physical sciences, mathematics, and computer science. Ten outstanding students per year will be selected.
The CBL Research Scholars at Iona will receive many opportunities to engage in self-exploration and build interpersonal skills and mentoring, and will include a stipend ($4,000/summer). Scholars and mentors receive additional funds for materials ($1,000).
Each applicant must:
- Be a female student enrolled full-time (usually applying as a sophomore or junior).
- Be a U.S. citizen or US Permanent Resident.
- Be a declared major in physics, chemistry, mathematics, or computer science.
- Have demonstrated scholarly promise with an overall GPA 3.0 or above.
- Provide a statement of their future career goals in the sciences.
- Demonstrate potential as evidenced in two letters of recommendation from faculty.
Each student can receive an award for up to two years, but the student must compete for the award each year. Per Luce Foundation CBL Program directive, students who intend to pursue further education in the medical sciences (e.g., pre-med, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant) cannot participate.
All materials should be emailed, with the applicant’s full name in the subject line, as a single PDF attachment to Professor Sunghee Lee at slee@iona.edu.
Guidelines and Checklist
- Résumé/CV: Up to two pages
- Student Statement: Students should prepare a concise (up to two pages) summary statement that includes:
- proposed research goals and objectives; and
- educational & career goals following graduation from Iona.
- Transcript: Unofficial copy from the registrar is permissible; most recent semester's course grades must be included.
- Recommendation Letter from Primary Mentor: The mentor should write a one-page letter describing the nature of the scientific projects, including the role and essential responsibilities of the CBL Research Scholar.
- Second Letter: From a faculty member at Iona University
Timeline
- January: Prospective applicants should consult with a potential CBL mentor in the physical sciences, mathematics, or computer science.
- February: Deadline for all application materials
- February - March 1: CBL candidate interviews
The selection committee will be chaired by Professor Sunghee Lee (the CBL Program Director at Iona University), and will consist of the chairs of the departments of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science. The selection committee will review application materials and conduct interviews and nominate the award recipients, based primarily on merit and promise of future careers in the sciences. The CBL Research Scholars will be officially confirmed by the Henry Luce Foundation prior to final announcement.
