Geballe Research Opportunities for Undergraduates Program (G.R.O.U.P.)

G.R.O.U.P. is a Townsend Center initiative designed to promote innovative undergraduate education within a research university. The program is composed of three interrelated parts: undergraduate courses, summer apprenticeships and interdisciplinary research teams. See below for details about and applications for each G.R.O.U.P component.

The G.R.O.U.P. program is made possible through the generous support of Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Geballe.

Courses

G.R.O.U.P. courses are designed as joint faculty-student explorations with the potential of evolving over time into new curricula and programs. Courses are normally team-taught by UC Berkeley faculty members from different departments; they may also be taught by one faculty member who brings in guest speakers to provide diverse perspectives. All G.R.O.U.P. courses involve teaching that comes directly out of the instructors’ active research—not simply presenting a finished product but instead allowing students to engage with open issues.

Courses may have departmental titles or may be organized as L&S College Courses. Assignments should include research projects that go beyond the usual theme papers and critical analyses by involving non-library research.

Preference will be given to joint proposals from faculty in different departments. Proposals will also be considered from (1) individual ladder faculty proposing a roster of guest speakers and (2) individual ladder faculty seeking to co-teach with exceptionally qualified post-doctoral fellows.

G.R.O.U.P. course instructors will be awarded $13,050 that may be used toward replacement costs as necessary, and up to $2,500 in course enhancement costs for course materials, field trips, and similar activities. Course enhancement funds will be transferred to one designated department. Information on the Townsend Center replacement funds policy can be found here.

Undergraduate participation in G.R.O.U.P. courses is through the regular course registration process.

Deadlines

February 6, 2012 – received by 5 p.m.

Application Materials

The call for applications is now closed.

For information about past G.R.O.U.P. courses, click here.

Research Team

Research Teams are collaborative projects that provide undergraduates with the opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research with more experienced researchers. Research Teams consist of two faculty members from different departments, at least eight undergraduates, and two graduate students. Undergraduates receive course credit for their work as they gain valuable research skills, build relationships as team members, and develop an appreciation for the insights that an interdisciplinary approach can bring to a single subject. Graduate students participating in the Team will reap the same benefits as well as gain experience as mentors to the undergraduate students.

All UC Berkeley faculty are invited to apply. Preference will be given to projects that involve sustained faculty-student mentoring and allow for significant independence in student research. The expectation of the program is that students and faculty members will both produce tangible outcomes at the end of the semester. In the case of proposals of equal merit, preference will be given to ladder faculty and to proposals that engage significant humanities questions from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Deadlines

February 6, 2012 – received by 5 p.m.

Application Materials

The call for applications is now closed.

For information about past G.R.O.U.P. Research Teams, click here.

Summer Apprenticeships

The Townsend Center’s G.R.O.U.P. Summer Apprenticeships Program pairs faculty members and undergraduate students in summer research projects, allowing students to develop new skills under the guidance of a faculty mentor and to experience the rigor and excitement of academic research in an area of their interest. Faculty gain the time and opportunity to explore new ideas, and the collaboration with their apprentice may even generate new undergraduate courses and curricula.

Applications will be judged both on the merits of the research project and on the value of the research and mentoring experience provided for undergraduate apprentices. Once faculty projects have been selected, the undergraduate apprenticeship opportunities will be announced to faculty and undergraduate academic advisers, publicized on the Townsend Center website, and listed through the URAP office. Undergraduates will apply directly to the Townsend Center, and faculty mentors will interview undergraduate applicants and make the final selection of one apprentice for their project. Each apprentice will be expected to work 200 hours, and the summer schedule will be determined by the faculty mentor.

The Geballe Research Opportunities for Undergraduates Program (G.R.O.U.P.) is made possible through the generous support of Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Geballe.

Eligibility

Faculty: Preference will be given to ladder-rank faculty at UC Berkeley.

Undergraduates: UC Berkeley undergraduate students in the humanities or social sciences are eligible to apply. Seniors are eligible only if they are continuing in fall 2011. Once the Apprenticeship mentors have been selected, the undergraduate apprenticeship guidelines and application materials will be available on the Townsend Center’s website. One undergraduate apprentice will be selected for each awarded project.

Grant Provision

Faculty will be awarded up to $5,000 in research expenses. Undergraduate apprentices will be awarded a $2,500 summer stipend. Faculty and students will also be expected to evaluate the apprenticeship at the end of the summer program.

Deadlines

Faculty: February 6, 2012 – received by 5 p.m.
Undergraduates: April 1, 2012 – received by 5 p.m.

Application Materials

Application materials for undergraduates are available on the apprenticeships page.

Information about past summer apprenticeships

For questions about the program, please contact The Townsend Center Fellowships Administrator at townsend_fellowships@berkeley.edu or 510-643-8082.