Lang Center

for Civic & Social Responsibility

The Lang Center supports students to conduct research in the service of a Swarthmore College faculty member's Engaged Scholarship through the Faculty-Led Engaged Research Grant (FLER) Program.

Students interested in applying for a FLER grant should reach out directly to the faculty member with whom they would like to work and receive confirmation of their acceptance before submitting an application to the Lang Center.

Unlike other grant programs of the Lang Center, both students AND faculty are required to complete applications for this type of funding: Faculty apply for an Engaged Scholarship Research Grant with a funding request for a research assistant while FLER students follow the process outlined on this webpage.

Eligibility 

The Lang Center exists to support all Swarthmore students, regardless of political affiliations or views, age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. Students from all class years are eligible for FLER grants. 

To be eligible for summer funding from the Lang Center, students must be (1) a currently enrolled Swarthmore College undergraduate; (2) enrolled in the spring semester prior and/or fall semester following the proposed summer experience, and (3) in good standing at Swarthmore College.

If you are an international student (on an F1 or J1 visa) considering opportunities to work off campus (in either a paid or unpaid position), please contact Jennifer Marks-Gold or Ryan MacMorris before you accept any positions to ensure you maintain your legal status. 

Evaluation of Applications

Since faculty members ultimately determine who they wish to invite into their Engaged Scholarship, the Lang Center does not play a role in the FLER evaluation process except to determine eligibility, and if need be, to help the faculty member identify a qualified research assistant. 

Student Application Process

For the Summer 2023 cycle we anticipate the following timeline for FLER grants:  

December 1 - PDF of applications available

Mid-January - Application portal opens

Early February - Applications due

Early/Mid-March - Applicants notified of status