FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
 

May I use data collected and analyzed for my research report as part of my thesis?
With the permission of your Special Committee, data collected and analyzed as part of your final research report can be used for your thesis. Approximately 30% of the Graduate Research Fellowship final papers have been used as first drafts for theses.

Do you have to be a social science student to participate in the Graduate Research Fellowship?
No. Graduate students interested in the plight of low-income children, families, and communities in NYC are strongly encouraged to apply to the program regardless of their field of study.

May international students participate in the program?
International students pursuing advanced degrees are welcome to apply to the program. They are strongly encouraged to contact the International Students Office to inquire about student visa and work permit issues.

How does the Cornell Urban Scholars Program define collaborative research?
The Cornell Urban Scholars Program defines collaborative research as those investigations that actively involve local residents, institutional leaders, and elected officials at each step of the research process from issue identification to research design, data collection, data analysis, report writing, and presentation of research results. At the very least, local parties should have the opportunity to review and approve the basic goals, methods, and analysis produced by the joint effort. At the highest level of collaboration, research would be undertaken using participatory action research methods, as described by Greenwood and Levin, which strives to involve local actors as co-investigators at each and every step of the research process.

How does the Graduate Research Fellowship in Community Development differ from traditional summer internships offered by various professional programs on campus?
Unlike other internships that often focus on direct service, the primary focus of the Graduate Research Fellowship is to produce policy-relevant applied research for non-profit organizations serving low-income children, families, and neighborhoods and the development of new scholars interested in advancing the human and community development needs of New York City's human service agencies through engaged scholarship. Fellows are expected to collaborate with local leaders in the joint design and execution of research that seeks to enhance the quality of public policy-making.