Of the many UTRAs awarded each year, a percentage receive "Named UTRA" status because the funds for particular awards have been donated by a family, individual, or an academic department, often with certain criteria. These criteria may include such things as career intention, discipline, area of study, or membership in an underrepresented group. When we assign a student a "named UTRA," we consider that student to be the best representative of the donor's intention and someone who can represent Brown extremely well. While we encourage students who fit the criteria below to apply for an UTRA, applicants need not do anything to be considered for a Named UTRA.
Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards
Named UTRAs
Academic Technology UTRAs were established by Computing and Information Services and the Dean of the College in 2010. These UTRAs allow students to collaborate with faculty on projects that enhance teaching and learning through the integration of new instructional technologies (such as "smart" boards, clickers and lecture-capture, Canvas, and iTunes). Instructional technologists are available to work with faculty-student teams to develop the proposal for UTRA support; please email academic_technology@brown.edu to request a consultation.
The Alden Trust Challenge for Brown UTRA was established in 1990 by the George I. Alden Trust to support projects in mathematics, the sciences, and engineering, and with preference given to entering first-years whose permanent residence is in Worcester County, MA.
The Anonymous UTRA for Undergraduate Students in the Medical Sciences was established in 2006 by anonymous donors to support an undergraduate in the medical sciences.
The Barbakow Family UTRA for Studies in New Media was established in 2004 by Margo Baker Barbakow and Jeffrey Barbakow, parents of Bennett B. Barbakow '04, to support undergraduate student projects in the study or production of computer-generated art, digital film-making, digital music, hypertext literature, and other forms of new and mixed electronic media.
The Center for Digital Scholarship UTRA allows students to develop a digital project in collaboration with library staff and a faculty member. These projects introduce qualified undergraduates to the methods and rewards of digital scholarly work and can include data modeling, metadata creation, implementation, interface or interaction design, course integration, or other scholarly uses of digital resources. Projects should build on existing Brown digital collections, develop and enrich new digital collections, or explore new techniques, methods, or applications in digital scholarship. Preference is given to students who have demonstrated a high level of motivation and interest in the field(s) represented in the project and who bring ideas and background that strengthen the probability of a collaborative partnership.
The Charles S. Craig UTRA was established by Charles S. Craig '72 and The Craig Foundation to support student research, with a preference for students pursuing studies at Selwyn College or Cambridge University.
The Chilmark Research Fund supports UTRAs in the Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Entrepreneurship.
The Cohen UTRA supports research in computer science or economics.
The David Berson UTRA was established in 2007 by Alison W. Miller and Joseph D. Bolton, parents of Scott M. Bolton '07, with a preference for research and study in the Neuroscience department.
The Donna Erickson Williamson '74 Endowed UTRA gives preference to a qualified female student in engineering, applied mathematics, or the physical sciences.
The Doris M. Deming '30 Fund UTRA was established in 1992 by bequest of Doris M. Deming '30 to support UTRAs for women in the physical sciences, particularly mathematics.
The Dr. Samuel M. Nabrit UTRA was established in 2004 by bequest of Samuel M. Nabrit, former Brown Corporation Trustee and Brown Honorary Degree recipient, to establish UTRAs for students from historically under-represented racial and ethnic groups concentrating in the sciences.
The Evelyn Jacobs Reisman UTRA Fund was established in 1990 to support UTRAs for students concentrating in the humanities or social sciences who are interested in teaching as a profession.
The General UTRA Fund was established through the support of the Dean of the College office and other anonymous donors to fund undergraduate teaching and research in the arts, sciences, and humanities.
Henry D. Sharpe, Jr. '45 UTRAs support students whose research combines work in the sciences with efforts to explain that research to a lay audience. Preference is given to research conducted in environmental science or renewable energy use, but other scientific fields, particularly those affecting sustainability or the human condition, are also eligible. A successful project will educate a non-technical audience about the need for the research, its implications, and the conclusions it yields. This UTRA was established by Henry D. Sharpe III '77, Douglas B. Sharpe '78, and Sarah A. Sharpe MAT'86 in honor of their father.
The Irving and Naomi Brodsky UTRA Fund was established by gifts made in memory of Irving Brodsky '33, and Naomi Richman Brodsky '36, MAT '59, parents of David M. Brodsky '64; Richard E. Brodsky '68; and grandparents of Katherine Brodsky '89. Preference is given to students intending to pursue a course of study in music.
The Irving E. Miller '48 P'89 Fund for UTRAs was established in 2006 by Irving E. Miller '48, P'89 to support UTRAs in the Department of Religious Studies.
The Lisa Raiola '84 Student Research Fund UTRA was established in 2005 by an anonymous donor to provide students access to intensive research opportunities, with preference given to student research in the area of biomedical ethics, public and community health, or the life sciences.
The Mitch Cantor UTRA was established in 2008 by Mitch Cantor '78 P'11 to support a summer UTRA recipient, with preference for students pursuing new research and innovative solutions involving alternative energy sources from technological, public policy, research and development, economic and other approaches.
The Quattrocchi Family UTRA was established in 2007 by Lisa Benenson Quattrocchi '85 with a preference for research and study related to classics.
Research on Human Trafficking UTRA was established in 2015 by anonymous donor to support the study of contemporary forms of human trafficking through the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice (CSSJ). Beginning academic year 2015-16, the CSSJ will have a new research cluster on human trafficking. This UTRA will be policy oriented and the student will work with CSSJ affiliated faculty.
The Robert H. Davidson '49 UTRA Fellowship Fund was established in memory of Robert H. Davidson '49 by his son, Robert A. Davidson, to support UTRAs, with preference given to students pursuing a course of study in science, engineering, mathematics, or economics.
The Roy S. and Rosalind S. Neff P '02 P'05 Endowed Fund for UTRAs supports students collaborating with faculty who are affiliated with the program in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Organizations.
The Sherman UTRA in the Pembroke Center was established in 2007 by Elizabeth Munves Sherman '77, P'06, P'09 and David M. Sherman '79, P'06, P'09 to support a student collaborating with a faculty member, with a preference for research and study related to the mission of the Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women.
The Solsbery Fellowship UTRA was established in 1996 in memory of Paul and Charles Solsbery, two boys whose lives were tragically cut short by violence. Founders of the Fund - the boys' father, Lee Solsbery ('76), along with Wendy Rowden ('76) and John Carton ('76) - wanted to ensure that the children's legacy was not one of senseless loss but of help to others. To that end, they created the Solsbery Endowment to promote research into the prevention of behavioral misadventures, including accidents, suicide, homicide, and other conditions limiting longevity in young people.
The Thomas J. and Jennifer J. Pincince UTRA for the Institute for Brain Science was established in 2008 to support undergraduates working in the Institute for Brain Science.
The Undergraduate Teaching and Research Award Program Fund was established in 2005 by anonymous donors with a preference for students working in earth and planetary sciences, energy studies, or environmental studies.
The UTRA for the Study of Race and Identity in honor of Dr. Eugene C. Dempsey was established in 2007 by Michael A. Dempsey, M.D. '79, with a preference for students intending to concentrate in Africana Studies.
The UTRA Ward Fund was established in 2004 with gifts from colleagues, students, and friends to honor the life and work of Professor Harold Ward. The award supports undergraduates working on environmental issues in Rhode Island.
The UTRA New Frontiers award was established in 1997 by an anonymous donor.
The Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs UTRAs were established by the Watson Institute in 2014. These UTRAs support students to collaborate with Institute-affiliated faculty on projects that enhance teaching and learning in at least one of the Institute’s three core research areas of security, development, and governance and support of its mission to promote a just and peaceful world.