Royden B. Davis Fellowship

“In any situation, one should always leave room for the unexpected and the unseen. In order to do this, we must employ the imagination…One gains through the imagination a freedom of action, and ability to be ready for fresh choices.”

Fr. Royden B. Davis, SJ / 1985 Commencement Address, Georgetown University

Fr. Davis, Dean of Georgetown College 1966 to 1989

Fr. Davis, Dean of Georgetown College from 1966 to 1989, believed that all students should have equal opportunity to “employ imagination” through transformative educational experiences, those which encourage students to ask tough questions, discern meaning, and serve others.

Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences is pleased to offer summer fellowships in honor of Fr. Davis. Davis Fellowships provide between $1,000 and $5,000 in summer support, depending upon the length of the proposed research/experience, the project budget (including the existence of other sources of funding), and student financial need. Please note that the Davis awards may not be used to fund tuition for credit-bearing courses.

Mayesha Awal, C’20

Mayesha, a 2019 Royden B. Davis Fellow, working in health education and community organizing in Botswana.

Read Mayesha’s story

Only continuing undergraduates in Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences are eligible to apply for summer support for undergraduate research or meaningful experiential learning opportunities through the Davis Fellowship.

2024 Royden Davis Fellowship Application: Deadline March 1

To apply for a 2024 Royden Davis Fellowship, please complete and submit the 2024 Davis Application. For students applying for a 2024 Davis Undergraduate Research Fellowship, please share the 2024 Faculty Mentor Form with your faculty mentor and please ask that she complete and submit the form prior to March 1, 2024 (the deadline for application for a 2024 Davis Fellowship).


2024 Information Session

On Thursday, January 25th, from 4-5:30 PM, we will hold an in-person information session about the 2024 Royden B. Davis Summer Research & Experiential Learning Fellowship, featuring short presentations from 2023 Davis Fellows about their research and experiential learning.  Please join us in the Baker Conference Room on the 5th floor of Regents Hall to learn more about the Davis Fellowship Program and the 2024 application process.

For more information, contact Dr. Bernie Cook, Chair, Royden B. Davis Fellowship Committee.


Davis Fellow News Stories

A girl with long, dark hair and fair skin stands outside and smiles. It is fall so the leaves behind her are yellow. She wears a dark suit jacket and a green blouse.

News Story

Biology Researcher Naomi Greenberg (C’24) Awarded Marshall Scholarship to Pursue Dual Passions in Genetic Research and Science Communication

Researcher and writer Naomi Greenberg (C’24) is one of five Hoyas to be named a 2024 Marshall Scholar

December 11, 2023

A girl with long dark hair smiles in front of foliage. She wears a black top and a long necklace with a butterfly pendant.

News Story

How Davis Fellow Nami Bolat (C’25) Tracked a Cult-Like Group of Artists Across Three Continents

In the waning days of the 19th century, a cult-like group of post-impressionist painters formed a secretive brotherhood in Paris called the Nabis

August 25, 2023

John Carroll statue on campus during the fall with leaves changing colors

News Story

Royden B. Davis Fellowship Empowers Students to Explore New Horizons

Every summer, the Royden B. Davis Fellowship empowers undergraduate students in the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences to explore new horizons.

November 14, 2022