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

Fellowship 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 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.
• The Fellow will enjoy all the benefits of part-time employment at PRIME Research including a dedicated work place, a computer, a phone, etc.
• At the end of this experience, the Fellow will complete a paper contributing to the body of knowledge in applied public relations research. The Advisory Council, named below, will assign the topic and the paper may be published by the Institute for Public Relations.
• In exchange for the above, the Fellow will be awarded a $5,000 stipend along with free walk-to-work lodging.

Who May Apply

• Graduate students in public relations/communication who are studying in the United States and interested in a career in public relations research.
• 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, excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken), and appropriate legal status to work in the US in such a Fellowship position.

Required Application Materials

• All materials should be emailed to jmoyer@jou.ufl.edu
• Application form on this page should be downloaded, completed and emailed
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of interest, including brief description of research interests and proposed topic for the final paper for publication
• 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

Selection Process

• Applications will be reviewed by an Advisory Council of distinguished public relations researchers and educators including:
  • Larissa A. Grunig
  • James E. Grunig
  • Robert W. Grupp (Institute for Public Relations)
  • Michelle Hinson (Institute for Public Relations)
  • Patty Lin (PRIME Research)
  • Rainer Mathes (PRIME Research)
  • Mark Weiner (PRIME Research)
• 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

Timeline

• Application deadline: February 1, 2010
• Winner notification: March 1, 2010