American University invites advanced undergraduates to apply for the Summer Scholars and Artists (SSA) Fellowship for summer 2025. Funded by the Office of Undergraduate Education and open to all rising juniors and seniors with a 3.5 GPA or above, successful applicants will receive up to $5,000 for eight weeks of full-time research with the potential for significant scholarly or creative outcomes. SSAs collaborate closely with faculty mentors who receive a $500 stipend for their guidance of the project. Projects may be joint efforts with professors, but evidence of substantial original work by the SSA is required.

Funding of up to $5,000 may cover research-related expenses such as living expenses, domestic travel, research materials, and supplies. After notification of the award, scholars will attend an information session outlining expectations for their research. In addition, scholars will present their work at the fall Summer Scholars and Artists research symposium on September 24, 2025. Other public presentations and incorporation of work into capstone projects or academic conferences is encouraged.

In addition to the faculty mentor, SSAs will be assigned a librarian who will provide additional support and subject expertise. Faculty mentors play a crucial role, guiding students from exploration to presentation, ensuring active involvement in all research phases. Mentors are expected to attend the SSA’s presentation of research on September 24 and contribute a summary to the final report detailing their mentoring role in the project.

Faculty mentors may submit recommendations here.

Scholars' digital research products are archived in the university's repository.

Applications that are missing any of the required information will not be considered for funding.