Research Fellowship

Apply Now!

The Menard Family Initiative (MFI) at UW–La Crosse is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 MFI Undergraduate Research Fellowship, which includes an $8,000 scholarship. We plan to select two student fellows for next year.

As a fellow, you will:

Conduct research & write about entrepreneurship, the local economy, and local regulations
Work on data analysis & visualizations
Assist in writing non-technical research papers
Help plan and promote MFI events

Commitment:

Enroll in 3 internship credits (CEI 450 or ECO 450)
10-15 hours per week (independently, with occasional check-in meetings)

Who Should Apply?
✔ Students with relevant coursework & extracurriculars
✔ Students interested in free market economics, the local economy, or entrepreneurship
✔ Students with past involvement with MFI (preferred, but not required)

Deadline: April 13th – Apply by emailing menardinitiative@uwlax.edu with:

Unofficial transcript
Resume
Cover letter detailing your interest and qualifications (max 2 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font)

Don’t miss this chance—apply now!

MFI Undergraduate Fellowship Program

Our fellows are integral members of our research team, comprising the two co-directors, our research economist Nick McFaden, Dr. Anup Menon Nandialath CBA faculty fellow, and our student fellows Khang Duong and Aditya Anil. As part of their research responsibilities, fellows will be expected to write monthly non-technical op-ed pieces, produce a more technical research paper each semester, and present their work at the end of each term.

In addition to research duties, our fellows will be actively involved in MFI programming. This includes assisting with essay contests, promoting and planning events, and attending all MFI-sponsored events. Fellows will also be required to attend our monthly MFI meetings.

Our full Fall 2024 semester Student Fellow op-ed series is now available!

VIEW FULL OP-EDS HERE

Our student fellows, Kang and Aditya, both presented their semester research findings during the Fellow Presentation session and the Visionary Ventures poster session during this year's Entrepreneurship Research Conference.