The award takes its name from the H.M.S. Beagle, the ship that carried Charles Darwin on a voyage of scientific discovery around the world from 1831 to 1836. Darwin began his voyage at the age of 22, soon after completing his Bachelor of Arts degree at Cambridge University. The natural phenomena Darwin observed on the voyage eventually prompted a radical change in his thinking about living organisms, providing major inspiration for his theory of evolution. In a similar manner, many researchers and scholars today have done some of their most creative, path-breaking work in their early years. The Beagle II Award aims to provide a parallel opportunity to research-minded undergraduates—an opportunity to cultivate and act upon scientific curiosity outside the bounds of the standard curriculum and research resources. We also hope that the Beagle II experience will encourage students to take greater responsibility for their education, preparing them for independent scholarly challenges and discoveries in graduate school, professional school, and beyond.
ABOUT THE AWARD & STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
One to four applications will receive up to $7500, or up to $12,000 in the case of two or more students sharing the same voyage, to be used for travel and study costs for a voyage of scientific discovery, as well as for summer earnings replacement. Students applying for the Beagle II must adhere to the award and eligibility guidelines established by Undergraduate Advising and Research.
EXPECTATIONS
As a requirement of funding and for the final $500 per person of the award, each Beagle II recipient is expected to submit a Final Report equivalent to twenty pages of text by the end of the first full academic quarter following return from travel (i.e., normally mid-December). The report can be submitted in a variety of styles and media--as a website dedicated to your “voyage,” for example, or as a video documentary, a written research report, a photo essay for your hometown newspaper, or sections from your own journal. In whatever form it takes, the report should include the equivalent of at least a page or two on personal growth (i.e., what you learned about yourself along the way). In addition to the Final Report, awardees will normally be asked to present highlights of their summer experiences at subsequent informational meetings for prospective Beagle II applicants. We will also expect Awardees to play an active role in the selection of recipients for the next year of Beagle II awards.
MORE INFORMATION AND WHERE TO APPLY
For more information about this award and how to apply please visit the BEAGLE II WEBSITE.
**An information workshop will be held Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 4-5PM. If you plan to attend please register here.