Engaged Learning Fellowship

• Funding: up to $2500 to pursue your project
• Recognition: your project title is recorded in your transcript and listed in the commencement booklet. ELFs are regularly profiled on SMU social media and news releases
• Support: expert coaching from faculty mentors and Office of Engaged Learning staff
• Development: opportunities to network, gain skills, and share your work with the public
• Graduation: your project may be eligible to fulfill CC Proficiencies

All Engaged Learning Fellows must:

• Attend 1 orientation session
• Attend 1 midpoint meeting each term until graduating
• Attend at least 3 Office of Engaged Learning events or workshops
• Present their work in a public setting
• Submit a final product (e.g., a research paper or a film with accompanying essay) 

All current SMU undergraduate students in good standing are eligible to apply. There is no minimum GPA requirement.

Applications must be submitted a minimum of 1 term before graduation.

• May graduates = Apply by September 15
• August graduates = Apply by February 15
• December graduates = Apply by April 15

All ELF applicants must have a Faculty Mentor. This can be any faculty member at SMU or an SMU staff member with a terminal degree (such as a Ph.D. or MFA). Mentors should be prepared to consult throughout the process, from preparing the application to submitting the final product.

The duration of the Fellowship lasts from acceptance until graduation. Students who have been awarded the Fellowship may not reapply for a second fellowship.

Engaged Learning Fellows are accountable to the same policies from Research Compliance as the faculty. It is expected that these will be discussed with ELFs as part of the mentoring process. Please be aware of these guidelines and discuss any concerns or questions that you have with your faculty mentor.

Applications are reviewed during the following time periods. Applications received after these deadlines will be considered for the following cycle.

• Fall Decision Deadline: September 15
• Winter Decision Deadline: December 15
• Spring Decision Deadline: February 15
• Summer Decision Deadline: April 15

ELFs are selected by a review committee of SMU faculty and staff. Fellows and their faculty mentors are notified approximately one month after the deadline.

1. Proposal

A successful ELF proposal is a well-articulated project description which outlines the purpose, methodology, and timeline of the project, with supporting documentation and mentor support.

Proposal template

Pleasese our template for your proposal

ELF proposal template (.docx)

Examples of successful proposals

• ELF proposal example - Creative
• ELF proposal example - Lab Sciences
• ELF proposal example - Social Sciences

Funds may NOT be used for:

• Tuition, textbooks or other academic course materials
• Personal stipend or per diem
• Personal housing unrelated to project
• Personal expenses unrelated to project
• Alcohol

2. Mentor Letter of Recommendation

Each ELF is required to have an SMU faculty mentor. The mentor provides support in a variety of ways, from developing the proposal and facilitating research, to editing the final product. This letter is not simply a recommendation, but a statement of support and commitment to the student and their project.

Mentors, please address the following in your letter:

• Name of SMU student
• Title of Engaged Learning Fellowship project
• Your insight about the project
• Your intended role
• Impact you think the project will have on the discipline, target population, etc.
• Impact you think it will have on the student
• Your approval and support  

Email to engagedlearning@smu.edu by the same date as your student's deadline.

IRB Approval

If your project involves human participants (such as surveys or interviews), the SMU Institutional Review Board (IRB) must approve or exempt your project before any funds can be distributed. You may also need to complete social and behavioral research training before starting your project.

As you create your ELF proposal, also work on the Human Subjects Research Self-Determination Form. You will need to submit this form to Research Integrity and Compliance.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Process

Host Agency Letter of Support

If the project is hosted by a community partner, your application requires a Letter of Support from them. Please ask your contact to include the following in their letter:

• Name of SMU student
• Title of student project
• Name of person who will be supervising or will be the point person for the student
• Your understanding of the project
• Statement of support
• Your signature, title and date
• The letter should be written on your agency’s letterhead.

When will I know?

Notifications are sent approximately 4 weeks after the application deadline. Please consider this in your timeline.

Applications are reviewed during the following time periods. Applications received after these deadlines will be considered for the following cycle. Please plan accordingly.

• Fall Deadline: September 15
• Winter Deadline: December 15
• Spring Deadline: February 15
• Summer Deadline: April 15

How do you select Fellows?

A committee of SMU faculty and staff reviews each ELF proposal. Proposals are scored with this template: Scoring Template for Reviewers

Once selected by the committee, proposals will be reviewed by Research Compliance (who may contact you for clarification).

Approved proposals will be notified by email.

What do I do after I'm accepted?

Selected ELFs are required to:

• Attend 1 orientation session
• Attend 1 midpoint meeting each term until graduating
• Attend at least 3 Office of Engaged Learning events or workshops
• Present their work in a public setting
• Submit a final product (e.g., a research paper or a film with accompanying essay)