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Research Fellowships and Scholarships

With small classes that average 16 students, faculty get to know Illinois Wesleyan students by name and give them the individual attention they deserve. Benefiting from an exclusively undergraduate setting, students work alongside faculty in research, or collaborate with them on their own designs, artwork, musical compositions or other works of fine art.

Illinois Wesleyan offers unique and significant opportunities to encourage and recognize student research. In fact, nearly every program listed below was created by former faculty members, university leadership or alumni who wanted to offer students the same opportunities they enjoyed.

In addition to the creative and scholarly fellowships listed below, Illinois Wesleyan students can apply for grants and scholarships through the Financial Aid department. Students may also work with the Associate Provost's office to apply for post-baccalaureate >awards.

 

The Robert S. and Nell B. Eckley Scholars and Artists Program supports summer research and creative activity for several students each year, enabling them to stay on campus over the summer to work under the direction of faculty mentors. The program was established by the late President Emeritus Robert S. Eckley, his wife Nell and the Eckley Family Foundation.

Award: $4,000 (must be a currently enrolled student to qualify)

2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
  • Liuting Chen ’18 - “The Search for Reliable Witnesses”

  • Jamie Kreppein ’18 - “Exploring Relationships between Public Events and Audience Reactions to Theatrical Performances”

  • Rebekah Nulty ’19 - “Spanish Translation of 'Living Kidney Donors' Website”

  • Mansi Patel ’18 - “The Effects of Thyroid Hormone on Corneal Nerve Regeneration”

  • Ashley Sons ’18 - “Health Literacy and Knowledge of Female Reproduction”
2014
2013
2012

Entrepreneurially-minded students of any academic major who have a business idea are invited to submit proposals for the IWU Titan New Venture Challenge for the opportunity to pursue an entrepreneurial idea under the supervision of a faculty member and guidance of a successful entrepreneur.

Award: $5,000 stipend (must be a currently enrolled student to qualify)

Recipients

 

The John and Erma Stutzman Peace Fellows Program was created in 2007 to encourage talented Illinois Wesleyan University students to pursue focused study in areas involving peace, conflict resolution, and social justice, areas that reflect the broader University mission. Students are awarded a stipend to support their selected projects.

Award: $1,000 (must be a currently enrolled student to qualify)

Peace Fellows: 

2017
2015
2014
  • Aida Cheung '18
  • Sunniva Holmlund '17
  • Carlos Ruiz '20
  • Megan Zsorey '19
  • Maeve Plunkett '21
  • Adna Mujović '21
2013
2012
2011
  • Megan Thompson '12
2010
2009
2008
  • Gwen Robinson '11
  • Emily Coles '11
  • Jessica Meyer '11
  • Marie-Claudine Villacorta '08
  • Monica Shah '09
2007
 
 

 

These fellowships are distributed through Illinois Wesleyan's Action Research Center (ARC), which links Illinois Wesleyan students with research projects involving local not-for-profit organizations. Candidates should develop projects that make a meaningful impact on the community.

Award: Up to $1,000 (must be a currently enrolled student to qualify)

Weir Fellows:

2020
2019
2018
  • Devan Patel '22
  • Daniel Maisch '22
  • Benjamin Nielsen '18
2017
2016
2015
  • Hannah Gallee '17 
(no Weir Fellowship awarded this year)
  • Leo Martinez '15
  • Nettie Rauch '15
  • Jacquelyn Schirmacher '18
  • Amanda King '15
  • Rachel Shaffer '17
2014
2013
2012
  • Lexia Swope '15
  • Julie Lewis '16
  • Matt LaLonde '14
  • Annette Rauch '15
  • Dave McGrath '15
  • Meagan DeSalvo '15
2011
2010
2009
  • Kaitie Fancher '11
  • Matt Hill '12
  • Lindsey Haines '10
  • Kenny Woodard '10
  • Sneh Rajbhandari '09
  • Danny Burke '09
2008
 
 
  • Laura Maxwell '09
 
 

 

The Criley Student Research Endowment, established in 2008 by alumni in honor of retired biology faculty Bruce and Norma Criley, provides summer research opportunities in the sciences.

Award: $4,000 (must be a currently enrolled student to qualify) 

Criley Research Fellows:

 

Mark Israel '91 established an Endowed Summer Research Fund in Economics, providing students with the same experience he valued as a student — the opportunity to perform topical economics research, working in close collaboration with members of the economics faculty.

Award: $4,000 (must be a currently enrolled student to qualify) 

Recipients:

 

The Luis Leal Endowed Scholarship is available to qualified students who carry out Hispanic Studies research off campus in an IWU-affiliated program. 

Award: Up to $1,000 (must be a currently enrolled student to qualify) 

Recipients:

2020
2019
2018
  • Avalon Bruno ('22)
  • Colleen Palczynski (’22)
  • Jessa Salvador ('22)
2017
2016
2015
2014
 
 

 

Recipient:

2017
 
 
  • Matthew McGill '17