Pondering upon Sophomore Fall Experiences: The Burden of Not Perpetually Being Productive
Saira Reyes, Engineering Correspondent
Are you a sophomore student at Princeton University with an interest in lab-based research, but unsure about funding options for independent projects? Here are some practical steps to help you find the resources you need.
- Check Departmental and Center Websites:
- The Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, with a focus on research initiatives related to energy and environment, offers funding for independent projects. While their main focus is often on faculty and postdoctoral fellowships, they also encourage undergraduate research involvement. Visit their official site or contact them directly for specifics on available grants or project funds for students.
- The Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) Department likely offers dedicated funds or grants to support undergraduate research, including sophomore projects. These funds are often advertised through the department’s undergraduate advising office or website. Reach out to the CBE department directly or the undergraduate advising coordinator for more information.
- Use Princeton University’s Research Funding Portals and Advising: Princeton maintains several funding sources for student research. These might include small grants, fellowships, or stipends for independent projects. Departments often have funds allocated for undergraduates to pursue research during the academic year or summer. These are typically competitive and require a short proposal or faculty sponsor. Additionally, Princeton’s Office of Undergraduate Research or the Office of Grants and Fellowships may maintain a list of opportunities, including independent project funds.
- Contact Faculty Mentors: Sophomore students interested in research projects should engage faculty members who might have discretionary funds to support lab projects or independent studies. Professors within the Andlinger Center or CBE department may know of or control small funds aimed at supporting undergraduates, sometimes referred to as “independent project funds” or “summer research supplements.”
- Explore University-wide Funding and Fellowships: Beyond departmental funds, Princeton offers various university-wide fellowships and grants that undergraduates can apply to for research support. These include scholarships, summer research grants, or specific competitive fellowships sponsored by colleges or the university. The amount and application criteria vary.
Practical steps: - Visit the websites of the Andlinger Center and CBE department for announcements on independent project funds or undergraduate research funding. - Contact the undergraduate program coordinator or academic advisor in your department. - Reach out to faculty members you are interested in working with to discuss funding availability. - Check Princeton’s Office of Undergraduate Research and the Princeton Student Funding resources for updated lists or centralized application portals.
There is no single centralized public listing for sophomore independent project funding, but these channels collectively provide access to funding opportunities similar to the Andlinger Center’s project fund and department-level funds at Princeton.
If you want specific contact links or application deadlines, you may consider visiting Princeton’s official departmental pages or contacting Princeton’s financial aid or undergraduate research support offices directly.
It is essential to recognize when one has too much on their plate and to be content with having free time. Having free time in one’s schedule does not mean they are not pushing themselves to full potential. The author intended to continue working in a bioengineering lab during their sophomore year but felt guilty for not taking the opportunity to work in the lab. This experience serves as a reminder to prioritise and seek opportunities that align with one's interests and goals.
- A sophomore student at Princeton University could embark on their personal growth and education-and-self-development by starting work on their junior paper or senior thesis, which can be funded through independent work opportunities like project funds offered by the Andlinger Center or department-level funds in the Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) Department.
- Engaging in independent work, such as a junior paper or senior thesis, not only provides valuable education-and-self-development but also fosters personal-growth by challenging students to explore their interests, hone their research skills, and expand their knowledge in their chosen field under faculty mentorship.
