Lowe Faculty Student Research Program
AY 2026-27
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Submission Date: August 16, 2026
The Faculty Student Research Program is the Lowe Institute's flagship initiative supporting research in which faculty involve undergraduate students in significant ways with meaningful skills transfer. The program advances the Institute's mission by supporting rigorous scholarship in economics and public policy while providing Claremont McKenna College students with hands-on research experience. Projects should have the potential to contribute to scholarly knowledge through publication, working papers, policy research, or other significant academic outputs.
Program Support
Selected faculty will receive:
- A $9,000 research stipend upon completion of the project.
- Funding for one or more undergraduate research assistants.
Research assistants will:
- Be paid $17–$19 per hour, depending on experience.
- Work approximately 5–10 hours per week during the academic year.
- Primarily work in the Lowe Institute research lab.
- Be encouraged to present their research experience at a Lowe Institute event or Board of Governors meeting.
Application Process
Please submit a one- to two-page proposal that includes:
- A brief description of the research project and its significance.
- The proposed research approach.
- How undergraduate students will participate in the project and the skills they will develop.
- If known, the names of prospective student research assistants.
Faculty who have not yet identified student researchers may request assistance from the Lowe Institute, which will recruit in the fall and match interested students with approved projects.
Proposal Evaluation
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- The significance and feasibility of the proposed research.
- Alignment with the Lowe Institute's mission in economics and public policy.
- The quality of the undergraduate research experience and mentoring plan.
Faculty Expectations
Faculty are expected to:
- Mentor student researchers throughout the project.
- Acknowledge support from the Lowe Institute in resulting publications and presentations.
- Submit a completed draft to the Lowe Working Paper Series upon completion of the project, to be posted on the Lowe Institute website and shared with board members.
Stipend Distribution
One-half of the stipend will be distributed in September 2026. The remaining balance will be distributed upon submission of a completed draft to the Lowe Working Paper Series, where it will be published as a Lowe Working Paper.
Faculty may have only one Lowe Faculty Student Research Program project outstanding at a time. Projects are expected to be completed by June 30, 2027.
Submit Your Proposal
Please submit proposals to Kelly Alexander at the Lowe Institute by August 16, 2026.