Mulcahy Scholars Program
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mulcahy Scholars Program was formed to facilitate close working relationships between Loyola students and faculty. Through the program, students work with faculty members on projects of scholarly significance that reflect the diversity of academic activity throughout the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). The program accepts applications from students in CAS majoring in the hard sciences. For more information, or if you have questions about the eligibility of your project, please call the Dean's Office of the College of Arts and Sciences at 773.508.3500.
Each recipient of a Mulcahy Scholarship receives a stipend of $1,000, and is eligible to receive up to $1,000 in project support. Previous scholarship recipients have spent their project support funds to: purchase research equipment, fund professional conference trips, and reimburse the cost of supplies. Any legitimate expense incurred during the completion of an approved project can be funded up to the funding limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible to apply? Students in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) majoring in the hard sciences are eligible to apply.
- How do I apply? Students should go to www.luc.edu/lurop to apply using the online application.The online application requirements include an abstract of 150 words, a project description (2-3 pages, single-spaced, 12 pt. font inc. figures and tables within limit), a detailed budget and justification of expenses and a letter of support from the faculty mentor.
The most critical sections of the application are the project description and the faculty letter of support. In the project description, students should describe the nature of the proposed project. State clearly the general purpose and specific objectives, what the student proposes to do, the significance in its academic area, and what results or products are expected to be generated. Define clearly what roles the student and faculty mentor will have. Describe how the project will be conducted, discussing, for example, the methodologies, equipment, or resources that will bring your endeavor to fruition.After a student enters their faculty mentor's email into the online system, the faculty member will receive an email asking that he or she submit a letter of support for the project, explaining their role in the project, verifying the project's feasibility given the available time and resources, and commenting on the student's ability to conduct the proposed work. If a faculty mentor is recommending more than one student, the mentor must explicitly and uniquely rank the proposals.
All application materials must be received through the online application by March 1. - May the project be based on a faculty member's current work? Yes, but the student must be an active participant in the scholarly process and work closely with the faculty member. We are very unlikely to fund projects in which the student is paid for doing "grunt work."
- May the project be original work by the student? Yes, as long as the student works closely with a faculty mentor throughout the year.
- Can the project be outside the student's major? Yes. Students may submit proposals in any area as long as they have the support of a faculty mentor with expertise in that general area.
- Can current or past recipients of Mulcahy Scholarships reapply? Yes, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements listed above.
- Is it possible to receive a Mulcahy Scholarship for just one semester or over the summer? Ordinarily, Mulcahy's are awarded for a full academic year, but pending availability of funds, one term scholarships may be awarded. Summer fellowships are not available. Students interested in a summer fellowship should visit www.luc/lurop to learn about summer opportunities.Can full-time Loyola students apply if they are studying abroad?Yes, but the student should indicate on the application how they intend to meet the program's mentorship requirement.
- Who may be a faculty mentor for a Mulcahy project? Faculty mentors must be full-time faculty at Loyola.
- What requirements must Mulcahy recipients meet? Students who are awarded Mulcahy Scholarships must submit a mid-year project report, attend a poster presentation skills workshop, and must present the results of their work at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium which is held in the spring semester. Awardees must attend the entire symposium event.
Previously Funded Projects
- Characterizing of the Organization of β-Satellite on Chromosome 21 (Biology)
- Oscillatory Motion and Air Resistance (Physics)
- Alternative Models of Electromagnetic Motors, Based on Rotational Inertia of Galileo's Double Cone (Mathematics)
