Walker Fellowship Program

Objective

The purpose of the T. Urling and Mabel Walker Research Fellowship Program is to encourage faculty from the region's 11 institutions of higher education to undertake research on critical issues confronting North Country communities, with the objective of making recommendations for their solutions. The program is administered by the Office of the Provost at SUNY Potsdam.

This program provides the opportunity for faculty and staff to use their expertise and training to analyze and propose solutions to regional problems, with a focus on greater community-academic cooperation than has traditionally been the case in other research programs. Preference will be given to proposals that include a statement of support from a local individual/organization, clearly explaining how the project’s results will benefit the community. 

Funding

Funding for this program is administered by the SUNY Potsdam offices of the Provost and College Advancement, with up to $12,000 awarded annually. In the past, funds have been used to pay a student assistant, support travel costs and purchase software or other supplies. Only in very limited cases have funds been used as a stipend for the researcher.

Eligibility

Full or part-time teaching and non-teaching faculty/staff from any of the region's 11 institutions of higher education (Clarkson University, Paul Smith’s College, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Adirondack, SUNY Canton, SUNY Clinton, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Jefferson, SUNY North Country Community College, SUNY Plattsburgh and SUNY Potsdam) are eligible to apply for funding. For higher-tiered requests (above $5,000), special consideration will be given to projects led by a team of researchers from two or more campuses.

Application Procedure

1. Proposals must be submitted using the application link below by October 15 (11:59 p.m.).
2. Applications will be evaluated by the steering committee based on the criteria below.
3. Recommendations will be submitted to the President of SUNY Potsdam for final decision.
4. Applicants will be notified of the award by December 15.

Walker Fellowship Application

Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. description of the problem and expected benefits to the community (30 points);
2. community support (25 points);
3. investigation procedure/methodology (20 points);
4. background and previous research (15 points);
5. funding request/budget (10 points);
6. likelihood that the proposed project will be completed at the stated time.