The Rose Olver Student Research Fund was endowed by John Olver in memory of his wife, Rose, who taught at Amherst for fifty years in the Departments of Psychology and Women and Gender Studies (later renamed the Department of Sexuality, Women’s and Gender Studies [SWAGS]). It is used to support summer research for rising juniors or seniors who are majoring in either psychology or SWAGS. Rose Olver Summer Research Fellows receive a stipend of $4,880 for 8 weeks of work (320 hours) or $3,660 for 6 weeks of work (240 hours). The Research Fellow may work on campus or remotely. If they choose to work on-campus, the fund will also cover the cost of their on-campus housing and meals.
The prize is awarded annually in the Psychology and SWAGS departments. Each department selects candidates independently of one another through a competitive process. Applicants submit an application that describes the summer research project and their background preparation (including courses taken, travels, and co-curricular and extra-curricular activities). They also identify a faculty advisor in the department in which they are majoring who will agree to supervise their project, meet with this advisor, and indicate in the application that they have done so.
Prize amount: Up to $4,880
Duration: 6 or 8 weeks
Application Deadline: April 22, 2024
Please note that if a student receives funding to conduct summer research, the student is not eligible for other Amherst College employment during that time period, including summer internship funding.
Application for Rose Olver Student Research Fund
Past SWAGS Winners
2023: Sofia Hincapie-Rodrigo '24 and Mica Nimkarn '24
2021: Lisa Zheutlin '22
2019: Benedite Dieujuste '20