Asian American Studies (ASAM) Undergraduate Research Fellowship

• Undergraduate Research
• / Funding Opportunities

General Information

Undergraduates are encouraged to apply for the ASAM Research Fellowship Program, which provides students with comprehensive academic training in research methods and theory to enhance their critical thinking and writing skills. Students can conduct original research with a faculty advisor that strengthens their knowledge of Asian American studies, topics, and identities. The program offers an excellent opportunity to build one's resume while exploring personal interests and learning valuable skills and expertise for one’s professional future. Our fellows have gone on to become Fulbright scholars and pursue further training in PhD programs as well as medical school.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the ASAM Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program will focus on the 30th anniversary Penn’s Asian American Studies Program. In collaboration with ASAM faculty, this year's fellows will co-design a research project to document the founding of Penn's ASAM program and situate it within the broader history of Asian American Studies at the national and local levels. In addition to learning effective research design, fellows will gain an understanding of multiple methods (i.e., archival research and ethnography), best practices in collaboration, and effective approaches to communication. Beginning in Summer 2026 Fellows will research the history of Asian American Studies on a national and local level and participate in bimonthly meetings held over Zoom; Fall 2026 will build research skills in fieldwork methods and foster networking with alumni; and the Spring 2027 semester will culminate in a collaborative project highlighting the history and future direction of Asian American Studies at Penn. Fellows will present their research at the ASAM Research Colloquium in Spring 2027, with opportunities to publish their research through a digital humanities project or other forms of public scholarship co-written with the ASAM faculty.

ASAM Fellow will become a part of the ASAM community, attend special fellows’ events during the Fall and Spring semesters, and have lunch with ASAM faculty to learn about their research experience. ASAM sponsors conferences and hosts various events throughout the year, including film screenings, academic talks, and performances which Fellows are encouraged to attend. 

As part of this fellowship, participants will receive the following:

• A $ 2,100 to support research initiatives that will be awarded in 3 installments of $700 (Summer, Fall, and Spring)
• Opportunity to present at the ASAM Friday Speaker Series
• Experience with curating programming for the 30th anniversary celebration
• Mentorship and guidance from ASAM faculty at Penn
• Personal connections with ASAM scholars and the support of an academic community
• Tools for success that students can use inside and outside of the classroom (i.e., writing, research, public speaking, and event planning)

Eligibility Guidelines

Candidates for this fellowship are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Penn who are highly motivated, well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to work in small groups. You do not have to be an ASAM minor to apply, but preference will be given to students who have taken at least one ASAM class and will not be pursuing any other year-long fellowships simultaneously.

Application Details

Details:

Research Offering Type

Independent Research

Location

USA

Undergraduate School

College, Engineering, Nursing, Wharton

Source

Penn

Contact Information