UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PRIZES & APPLICATION
Students that actively participate in research at Wharton are provided several opportunities to participate in research events and activities sponsored by various Wharton-related organizations. The following Wharton Centers have graciously offered to sponsor research-active students to attend their prestigious research events.
The deadline to apply is Monday, October 19, 2015. The application form is included at the end of this document.
THE JACOBS LEVY EQUITY MANAGEMENT CENTER
About the Center:The Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center for Quantitative Financial Research is dedicated to the advancement of quantitative finance through the creation and dissemination of innovative knowledge. The Jacobs Levy Center aims to enhance understanding of financial markets through the study and promotion of quantitative techniques and methods as applied to such fields as the analysis of domestic and international stocks and bonds, andthe management of investment portfolios. One of the Center’s core values is to inspire young researchers.
The Event:The annual Spring Forum brings together academics, industry practitioners, and doctoral students to learn about cutting-edge researchand engage in scholarly dialogue. The Spring 2015 Forumfocused on factor-based investing including smart beta. Information about that event, including links to the presented research papers, can be found on the center website. The location of the Spring Forum alternates between Philadelphia and New York City.
Prize/Sponsorship:The Center will waive the Forum registration fee, and students are welcome to attend all conference meals. When the Forum is in New York, students are reimbursed for travel to NYC for the day-long conference. Undergraduate student participants will be paired with a PhD student attending the conference to enhance the experience.
LEONARD DAVIS INSTITUTE OF HEALTH ECONOMICS (LDI)
About the Institute:LDI, founded in 1967, is a university-wide interdisciplinary center to facilitate research collaborations and educational programs to integrate knowledge and shape policy for a more effective health system. LDI has built an environment that bridges experts from law, sociology, social work, economics, dental medicine, among many others. Its more than 200 LDI Senior Fellows analyze the medical, economic, and social issues that influence how health care is organized, financed, managed, and delivered. LDI is a cooperative venture among Penn’s health professions, business, and communications schools (Medicine, Wharton, Nursing, Dental Medicine, Law School, and Annenberg School for Communication) and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, with linkages to other Penn schools. LDI has a history of facilitating research opportunities for undergraduates. The Summer Undergraduate Minority Research (SUMR) Pipeline Program, now in its 17th year, encourages undergraduates to explore their aptitudes and interest in health services research through involvement in Penn faculty-mentored projects.
The Events:LDI hosts a number of events during the year from research and health policy seminars to student group discussions with its designated speakers. LDI also sponsors conferences on topics such as health insurance exchanges, health economics, behavioral economics, and other health policy topics.
Prize/Sponsorship:Selected students willbe assigned an LDI Senior Fellow mentor, who will be available throughout the year to provide advice. Selected students will also be invited to attend LDI’s research and health policy seminar series and to join the student group discussions. They will also have the opportunity to attend one of LDI’s 2015-2016 sponsored conferences, which will be chosen in collaboration with LDI staff.Costs of all program fees and meals for local events will be covered. For the chosen conference, undergraduate student participants will be paired with a PhD student attending the event to enhance the experience.
THE MACK INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
About the Institute:The Mack Institute’s mission is to advance and share knowledge about the effective management of the risks and rewards of innovations that can offer new value for customers and firms. The Institute is a global research community and the hub of a learning network for researchers, business leaders, and students. Conferences and workshops organized by the Mack Institute advance the Institute’s mission and expand knowledge by sharing current academic thinking and industry practice in the field of innovation management. Mack Institute events are unique opportunities for researchers, faculty, and corporate decision-makers to connect and collaborate, inspire new conversations, and spark exciting insights that create real and lasting impact.
The Events:The Mack Institute offersthemed fall and spring conferences that bring together academics and practitioners and include presentations by both. The idea is to promote rigorous and relevant research, identify new phenomena and questions and disseminate the work as well. The Spring Conference 2015examined the complex interactions among leadership, talent, and culture in order to improve an organization’s innovation capacity. Even though the classic debate continues over whether strategy leads structure or vice-versa, what matters is how well strategic leaders combine talent and culture to find imaginative solutions to unmet market needs.
Prize/Sponsorship:The Institute will waive the program registration fee, and students are welcome to attend all conference meals. Undergraduate student participants will be paired with a PhD student attending the conference to enhance the experience.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PRIZE APPLICATION
Applications are due by Monday, October 19, 2015
PARTICIPATING CENTERS AND INSTITUTES
- Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics
- Mack Institute for Innovation Management
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be a Wharton undergraduate student in good standing with a demonstrated interest in research based on participation in a formal research program or program with a research component in Wharton or at Penn (e.g. JWS, WRS, SPUR, SIRE, GRIP, SUMR, PURM).
Instructions
Please email the following information to Dr. Utsav Schurmans () in MS Word or pdf format:
1)Name, email, graduation date, and specific prize you are interested in.
2)The name and contact information for a faculty reference to be contacted if you are selected as a finalist
3)Describe your research experience/activities to date (no more than 500 words– please include your name at the top)
4)Briefly describes how involvement with the institute or center of your choice (select only one) will advance your professional career aspirations
5)Current résumé
Selection criteria
- Aptitude for research
- Interest in exploring research relevant to the center or institute of your choice
- Interest in considering the pursuit of a PhD, an academic or research career, or a post-graduate research fellowship
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