You will share a first draft of your proposal (template found here) with the Independent Studies coordinators before submitting your finalized application to the committee. This is intended to strengthen your application; the coordinators will provide extensive feedback and suggest revision strategies.

The feedback process is dialectical and intended to improve your learning experience. Please reach out to the coordinators at any time to discuss your ideas.

Creating an Independent Study Proposal

Below you will find the Independent Study Proposal Template. This Google Document will provide instructions for what components are necessary for your proposal. Make a copy of the document and follow the instructions.

(G)ISP/AI Proposal Template

Before Submitting a Proposal

Before submitting an Independent Study Application, read this website's Independent Study section thoroughly and consult the (G)ISP/AI Application Checklist. We also recommend providing your intended faculty sponsor with the Faculty Info Sheet for more information about serving as a (G)ISP/AI sponsor.

All Group Independent Study Projects (GISPs), Independent Study Projects (ISPs), and Academic Internships (AIs) must submit the Independent Study Application and a Faculty Sponsor statement, along with any appropriate supplements. Submission instructions are included in the documents.

(G)ISP/AI Proposal Submission Form

• The completed Independent Study Proposal Template (Revised Spring 2025)
• If a co-sponsor is not a member of Brown faculty, they should complete the Instructor Sponsor Statement.
• If this is a language Independent Study, complete the Language IS Supplement.
• If this is an Academic Internship, complete the AI Supplement. College Curriculum Council-reviewed AIs occur only during the academic year only.
• If students will be take any field trips, each student must submit the Request for Release and Waiver.

Once the semester begins, every GISP student is expected to contribute to the course and to how each class is facilitated.

Students wishing to enroll in the GISP must be on the original roster when the proposal is submitted the previous semester. However, during the first week of the semester, the GISP faculty sponsor and student coordinator can submit a petition to add students to the course.

For a Departmental Independent Study course, work directly with your professor to determine the expectations you both have for the credit. They will give you an override code, and you must register for the course no later than the Add a Course deadline listed on the Academic Calendar -- the end of the fourth week of the semester.