Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 10
The Center for Language Science (CLS) announces a new and exciting summer 2026 travel/research opportunity for undergraduate students working with CLS faculty.
In the past eight years, the CLS has hosted the very successful NSF PIRE program entitled “PIRE: Translating cognitive and brain science in the laboratory and field to language learning environments”. To sustain and further strengthen the research collaborations CLS faculty have been able to develop with PIRE partners, the College of the Liberal Arts has provided the CLS with funding for two undergraduate students to travel and conduct research projects at PIRE partner sites.
This call is for summer 2026 PIRE-like research/travel opportunities for undergraduate students who are currently working in the lab of a CLS faculty advisor. These students can apply for funding to support a four-week research opportunity in the context of an ongoing project of their CLS faculty adviser with a PIRE partner.
The CLS PIRE-like experiences will cover student’s expenses related to travel, lodging, participant payments, ground transportation and meals for up to $6,500/traveler.
Application materials (to be developed by the CLS faculty member and the undergraduate applicant):
- Copy of undergraduate student applicant’s Curriculum Vitae
- A statement of no more than two single-spaced pages describing
- the student applicant’s motivation to complete a PIRE-like experience at the PIRE partner location;
- their research project and goals and
- how the project will sustain and strengthen the existing research collaboration between the CLS faculty member and PIRE partner; and
- how the PIRE-like experience will enhance the applicant’s training and future professional plans.
- A budget of your estimated participant payment costs for the project; include number of participants, amount you will pay per hour, and the number of hours. Note that funds to cover visa applications are limited. For budget questions, please reach out to Heather Mann at hmg108@psu.edu
- IRB number and IRB study name of the project.
- A letter of recommendation from the CLS faculty research advisor and a letter of support for the project from the PIRE partner (sent directly to Brittany Glunt at bdg11@psu.edu by the deadline).
Important: CLS faculty members should discuss the research project with their PIRE collaborator and undergraduate student well in advance. The CLS faculty member should reach out to the PIRE partner (and not the student).
Eligibility requirements for undergraduate applicants
- Applicants should currently be working with a CLS faculty member and be actively involved in research.
- The applicant’s motivation, learning goals, and proposed ideas should fit with the goals and mission of the PIRE program.
- Eligible students will have a minimum of at least one semester in residence remaining at Penn State after returning from the PIRE-like experience and be willing to provide a talk during the CLS speaker series where they will provide details of their experience and research project.
Submission details
Submit your proposal to Brittany Glunt at bdg11@psu.edu by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday December 10.
Selection
Competitive proposals will be selected for funding by a CLS faculty committee.