Davidson Research Initiative

Current first years, sophomores, or juniors are eligible to apply for DRI Summer Research Fellowships in any discipline. Graduating seniors are not eligible. When applying for a DRI opportunity, a student must specify whether the project they plan to pursue is an independent project designed solely by the student, or a project that is related to an existing vein of the faculty mentor's ongoing work, but will include an independent/ unique component that differentiates it. In the latter case, the student must articulate the unique/independent aspect in the proposal.  DRI Fellows will also be required to attend a series of workshops over the summer designed to enhance the training provided by their mentors.

The Davidson Research Initiative is designed as a research/creative activities training program, and therefore expects close collaboration/mentorship between the mentors and students.  The selection committee tends to look favorably on proposals where there is significant and regular interaction between mentor and mentee, while at the same time balancing that with what might make sense for the specific project being proposed and how training is commonly managed in that discipline/field. Collaborative research project proposals, involving two to four students, will be accepted. However, each student applying to participate in the collaborative project must submit their own application. Collaborative applications will be reviewed and rated as a single project.

DRI Summer Research Fellows can propose to work:

• Up to 10 weeks on campus with a proposed mentor
• Five weeks on-campus with a proposed mentor and five weeks off-campus with a proposed mentor, as long as the student and proposed mentor maintain regular contact throughout
• Up to 10 weeks off campus provided the proposed mentor is traveling with the student 

The student’s fellowship will consist of $600 per week and up to  $1,000 for travel/supplies directly related to the student’s project. 

The following designated fellowships will be available through the DRI thanks to the generosity of Davidson donors, The Cannon Foundation, Ellen and Ernie Stevens, The Clark Ross Academic Innovation Fund and Larry Mimms '76:

• Two Mimms Summer Research Fellowships, designated for students exploring research in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, genomics or bioinformatics.
• One Ross Summer Research Fellowship designated for students who have an interest in the social sciences or humanities disciplines.
• One Stevens Summer Research Fellowship designated for students who are interested in studying the attributes of chemistry.
• One Cannon Foundation Fellowship designated for any student interested in pursuing independent research.

Application Process

Students should consult and coordinate with the proposed mentor(s) prior to submitting an application.  Students will submit the DRI application which will include the following narrative sections: Introduction, Justification, Methods, Preparation, and Dissemination.  In the application form, students will identify the name and email address of their primary mentor and that primary mentor will be prompted by email to submit a mentorship agreement and plan as part of the application process.  Please note the deadlines below for the respective components of the application. Follow the link to the full guidelines and application form below for additional details on the program and application process.

Student Submission Deadline: Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Faculty Mentor Agreement Deadline: Sunday, February 8, 2026

Review Committee: Student Study and Research

Contact: Peter Szanton, Assistant Dean for Research Development & Director of Sponsored Programs 

Full Guidelines and Application Form: Submittable 

Please note that research projects requiring technology resources will need to request a consultation regarding technology needs with T&I. Please email the Technology & Innovation Support Center at ti@davidson.edu or call 704-894-2900 to set up an appointment. DRI funds cannot be used to purchase technology.

DRI for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

As part of its commitment to the broader educational community, Davidson College invites applications from undergraduate students who are rising juniors and seniors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to apply to participate in the DRI Summer Research Fellowship Program.