Association of Alumnae Scholars Rosemary D. Mazzatenta Award
Overview
The Association of Alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania has established the Association of Alumnae Rosemary D. Mazzatenta Scholars Award in the School of Arts and Sciences to recognize female members of the sophomore or junior class in the College for academic achievement and demonstrated service to country, community, and family.
This award is intended to be used by the recipient for expenses incurred for a scholarly purpose related to her education, including, but not limited to, equipment, research, travel expenses, or an unpaid internship.
Students applying for support for an unpaid internship should complete the top portion of the application form and Part 1, which also contains complete instructions for internship proposals.
Students interested in support for a research project should complete the top portion of the form and Part 2 and should refer to the following guidelines and procedures.
Guidelines for Research Proposals
If intended to support undergraduate research, the award(s) will be administered according to the following guidelines:
- The project shall represent original research or scholarship.
- Awards will be made only for research that is conducted after the proposal has been approved. Projects normally take place in the summer or following academic year. In no case will projects already completed be funded.
- Each approved project shall have a faculty advisor who will normally be a member of the SAS standing faculty. In some cases, a qualified advisor from outside the SAS faculty may be appropriate, subject to the approval of the student’s undergraduate chair or program director.
- Up to $2,500 is available each year for The Association of Alumnae Rosemary D. Mazzatenta Scholars Awards. The maximum for individual research grants this year is expected to be about $1,000. Funding provided should be used to help defray the cost of a scholarly endeavor and should not be a substitute for financial aid for which the student is otherwise eligible nor for an advisor’s research funding. Types of expense to which the funds may be applied include travel to libraries, museums, archives, and research sites; living expenses that would enable the student to remain at the University during the summer; research equipment and supplies, including books, films, and photocopying; computer or laboratory fees; and, specialized computer peripherals and software. (Reimbursement of living expenses may be taxable.) Items costing $500 or more with a useful life of one year or more must be purchased with a University purchase requisition and will remain the property of the University.
- Student(s) will be expected to submit a final report of expenditures to the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowship.
Research Application Procedures
- Prepare your proposal in consultation with a prospective faculty advisor and with the undergraduate chair in your major department or your major program director. Your proposal should take the following form:
- Completed Application Form
- Short abstract (on a separate page; no longer than 100 words)
- Objectives and Methodology (2 pages maximum)
- State the objectives and relevance of the proposed work in terms intelligible to an educated non-specialist.
- Evaluate existing knowledge and work in the area and provide a brief background summary to the proposed work.
- Describe the design and procedures to be employed and provide a timetable and implementation plan for completion of the project.
- A separate Itemized Budget (on a page)
- List each budget item in order of priority and justify in terms of the work proposed. (In a few instances, travel may be an appropriate use of funds if warranted by the project.) Funds requested normally should not exceed $1000 per student.
- Request a letter of recommendation from your advisor. Your faculty advisor must send a letter of endorsement certifying the feasibility of the project and the adequacy of your preparation to undertake it. It should make clear the nature and extent of your contribution in formulating and carrying out the project. This letter can be sent directly to Wallace Genser, Associate Director for Undergraduate Research, Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF), The ARCH, 3601 Locust Walk/6224. Alternately, you can include it (in a sealed envelope) with your application materials. Please give your advisor the attached form including the optional waiver of your right to access to that letter.
- Download Recommendation Form
- Obtain signature of your undergraduate chair on the recommendation form.
- Make copies of the entire proposal (application form, prospectus, and budget). Submit 5 collated but unstapled copies, plus the originals with signatures, for a total of 6 sets, to Wallace Genser, Associate Director for Undergraduate Research, Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF), The ARCH, 3601 Locust Walk/6224. Your undergraduate chair and project adviser may also want copies.
- Research applicants will automatically also be considered for College Alumni Society funds.
Research involving animal or human subjects or hazardous materials must also be submitted at the same time for approval by the relevant University oversight committees. Students should consult with their advisors to correctly complete those forms.
Deadlines and Time Frames
Proposals must be submitted to the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowship by March 2.
Decisions will be made by the end of April. All applicants will be notified of the decisions. Winners will be invited to the Association to Alumnae presentation event at which time they will receive their checks.
Selection Process
Proposals will be reviewed by a faculty committee designated by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Students whose projects are approved may want to register for Independent Study in their departments or programs. Credit may be given for one or two semesters, at the discretion of the undergraduate chair or program director.
Contact
215-746-6488

