DEADLINE: Grunig PRIME Research Fellowship Applications

The award supports and encourages graduate student interest in applied public relations research as a career opportunity.

The Institute for Public Relations awards the Grunig PRIME Fellowship on an annual basis, sponsored by PRIME Research. The Fellowship is named for James E. Grunig and Larissa A. Grunig, professors emeriti, University of Maryland.

Timeline

Applications are due by March 9, 2018. Winner notification is March 30, 2018.

Award Content

• The Fellow will work at PRIME Research's Ann Arbor, MI, offices for six weeks in the summer following the end of the academic year to learn more about public relations research including data collection, data analysis, interpretation of research results and consultation.
• The Fellow will join a team producing high-level analysis and consulting for large Fortune 500 companies and top brands. Participation in producing the reports and findings should be expected as well as joining client conference calls and web presentations.
• The Fellow will be responsible for carrying out work as assigned by his or her supervisor along with other tasks to be determined in advance of the Fellowship.
• In exchange for the above, the Fellow will be awarded a $5,000 stipend along with free walk-to-work lodging.
• At the end of this experience, the Fellow will produce a solo-authored paper intended for practitioners.
• The paper must be completed and approved via the IPR vetting process by August 30, 2019. It is suggested that the student consider the challenges currently facing the public relations profession, though other topics will be acceptable provided that the paper is successful through one of the standard vetting processes for publication on the IPR website. Some topics may include, but are not limited to:
  • What is the interrelationship between traditional and social media in influencing audiences?
  • Communicating the unique impact of public relations to the board room
  • How to connect public relations results to business performance
  • Restoring reputation in an environment of extremely low trust
  • Models to predict the probability of public relationship outcomes

• The Fellow will receive a $2,500 stipend for the research paper after it has been accepted for publication by IPR.
• The Fellow will be recognized at IPR's Annual Distinguished Lecture & Awards Dinner in 2018 and will receive an invitation to attend the IPR Research Symposium, both in NYC. PRIME Research will cover the winner's travel costs.

Who May Apply

• Graduate students (master's and doctoral level students are eligible) in public relations, communications or business who are studying in the United States.
• Applicants must have completed at least one year of study toward a graduate degree, and at least one methodology course in research methods (e.g., survey, content analysis, experimental design, etc.).
• Additional requirements include: basic knowledge of statistics, computer and internet proficiency, fluency in English (written and spoken), and appropriate legal status to work in the US in such a Fellowship position.
• The ideal candidate is one who is focused on a post-graduate career in applied communications research.

Required Application Materials

• Curriculum vitae
• Research Prospectus that outlines the type of research project you contemplate designing and carrying out, should you be awarded the grant.
• Personal statement explaining why the applicant is qualified for the Fellowship
• A copy of official transcript
• Recommendation letter sent directly from the applicant's faculty advisor

Address for Submissions: Email IPR at awards@instituteforpr.org.

Selection Process

• Applications will be reviewed by an Advisory Council of distinguished public relations researchers and educators including:
  • Larissa A. Grunig
  • James E. Grunig
  • TBD (PRIME Research)
  • Mark Weiner (PRIME Research)
  • Sarab Kochhar (Institute for Public Relations)
• Telephone interviews will be conducted with the finalists
• After the Advisory Council has made its recommendations, the final selection will be made by PRIME Research

Past Winners

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Application