The Interdisciplinary Research Team (IRT) Fellowship program provides students with an opportunity to work as a team with their peers on an interdisciplinary research project. IRT projects allow students to learn from expert faculty advisors and from students who are working in different fields with different methodologies from your own major and minor. The program also encourages projects that work toward a wide variety of deliverables; ones that might differ from the kinds of research you typically undertake in your coursework or in a senior honors project.
For example, projects might involve the development of:
- a proposal (policy proposal, program proposal, etc.)
- an object prototype
- a communications campaign
- a website
- a set of resources for a particular group
- an exhibit
- a concert, performance, or an event
- a virtual or actual tour
- a curriculum for educational outreach
- an app
Program details for students:
- Students selected for projects need to register for 1.5 research credits per semester by SPNs provided by the IRT program.
- Students should commit to working with their team for an average of 5-7 hours per week. Advisors will set regular meetings that students must attend.
- Each IRT Fellow receives a letter grade for their work on the project each semester. Advisors will clearly articulate grading criteria at the start of the semester.
- As part of your final grade, students must also complete three assignments and submit to the program director, Professor DeLosSantos. They are: a learning reflection, a career narrative, and a project tracking template.
- Student applicants should have a 3.0 GPA and be in good academic standing to take on this extra research coursework.
- In recognition of your work each semester, students receive a $750.00 financial award that is applied to their student accounts at the conclusion of the term.
- All students are expected to participate in research presentations at the conclusion of each semester.
How to be an IRT Fellow:
Students have two options for participating in IRT.
1.Propose your own research project. Applications due Spring 2026.
2. Join an IRT team. Projects vary each year and applications will be open at the end of spring semester for the following academic year.
For more information on how to apply go here.