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Eloranta
Introduction

The Peter J. Eloranta Fellowships are awarded to MIT undergraduates (and seniors graduating in June) for interesting and novel research of student-initiated ideas developed outside the normal curriculum in any field (science, engineering, management, architecture and planning, the arts, humanities, or the social sciences). Each individual fellowship is $6,000, and the stipend may be used to cover living expenses, travel, and/or materials and services costs. Eloranta Fellowships are very competitive, with 4-6 fellowships awarded each year. In choosing recipients, the selection committee looks for WOW quality: Well-written, Original, and Workable.

Dr. Edwin H. Land, founder of the Polaroid Corporation and inventor of instant photography, established the fellowship in memory of Peter J. Eloranta, Class of 1968, to encourage undergraduate creativity and stimulate involvement in a broader range of intellectual activity than is normally possible during the term.

Please review this site and the Eloranta web site, and consult the MIT contact, Sara Nelson, for more information.

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Quick Facts
Peter J. Eloranta Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Field of Study Any field
Type Summer Fellowship
Place of Study Anywhere
Award amount $6,000
MIT Deadline April 4
National Deadline NA

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Eligibility

To be eligible for the Summer fellowships you must:

  • Be a MIT undergraduate (you may be planning to graduate in June).

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Selection Criteria

Applicants are chosen on the basis of:

  • Originality. The proposal should be for research originated and directed by you. It should describe your own plan, not a faculty member's research nor the continuation of a laboratory's work.
  • Feasibility. The proposal should present evidence that the plan is a feasible one and has a chance of success. It should be possible either to complete the entire work during the summer or at least complete the majority of the work. If facilities or other people are necessary for completion of the project, the proposal should present clear evidence that the requisite permissions have been obtained.

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Application (see official site for details and forms)

Proposals must be complete and submitted by the deadline to be considered. Complete proposals include the following material.

  • Cover page
  • Abstract
  • Research Proposal (including goals and background, supporting materials are optional)
  •  Budget
  • At least one letter of recommendation from an MIT faculty member who is acquainted with the project being proposed. This faculty member should review the research proposal and comment upon its originality and feasibility in his/her letter. If a faculty member is willing to serve as a mentor for this research, he/she should note that.

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Timeline
MIT Process
Fall
  • Review the official Eloranta Fellowship Program web site.
  • Develop your idea for a proposal and consult faculty for comments on originality and feasibility.
IAP
  • Attend the information session or consult with the MIT contact.
  • Submit a Pre-Proposal for Committee feedback (This is OPTIONAL; Not required)
February
  • Complete all application material.
April 4
  • Deadline to submit application to:

    • Eloranta Fellowship Committee
    Sara Nelson
    Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming
    MIT Room 7-104
    617-253-0751
Late April
  • The Fellowship Selection Committee meets to decide awards.
Late April-Early May
  • Decisions are announced.
May
  • Presentation of stipend checks at Eloranta Fellowship Committee luncheon.
IAP
  • Presentations by fellows about their research the previous summer.
 
National Process
  Note: This is a MIT-only fellowship. There is no national selection process.

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Recipients

Please see Eloranta website.

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Contact Information
MIT Representative General Information

Sara Nelson
Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming
MIT Room 7-104
617-253-0751

 Official Site: http://web.mit.edu/eloranta/

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