Student Fellowships & Research

Description.
The Will of Dolores Zohrab Liebmann created a Perpetual Charitable Trust designated as "The Delores Zohrab Liebmann Fund" for the purpose of funding advanced education and graduate study grants, which must be carried out entirely in the United States of America.  "The Delores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowships" are to be awarded only to candidates who have outstanding undergraduate records, have demonstrated a need for financial assistance, are citizens of the United States of America, and have received baccalaureate degrees. The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund awards graduate fellowships in any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences or natural sciences (including law, medicine, engineering, architecture or other formal professional training). Fellowships are restricted to students attending a designated institution, which includes Bowdoin, who will pursue their graduate study at one of the designated institutions of higher learning located in the United States. The trustees welcome applications from students of all national origins who are United States citizens.  Mrs. Liebmann’s primary concern, as expressed in her Will, was to attract and support students with outstanding character and ability who hold promise for achievement and distinction in their chosen fields of study. The most recent information available indicates that seventeen students were awarded the Liebmann Fellowship in 2008.

Benefits.
Fellowships are awarded annually and will cover actual tuition costs plus an $18,000 annual stipend to be allocated towards room, board, and ordinary living expenses, as well as any income tax thereon. Each Fellow must apply for a renewal of his or her fellowship by May 30 of the following year in accordance with the terms in effect at the time the fellowship is awarded. Fellowships will be limited to a maximum of three years.

Eligibility.

• Fellowships are available to students pursuing (or intending to pursue) a graduate degree at a designated institution of higher learning located in the United States of America. In the case of undergraduate liberal arts colleges, students in their senior year are eligible to apply for a fellowship to fund their future graduate work. Please be advised, the graduate school selected by the student also must appear on the designated school list.
• The program of study being pursued by the candidate may include any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences (including law, medicine, engineering, architecture or other formal professional training).
• The candidate must have received a baccalaureate degree at the time the fellowship would commence (the following September) and have an outstanding undergraduate record.
• The candidate must demonstrate a need for financial assistance and must be enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing graduate studies in the United States.
• The candidate must be a citizen of the United States of America.
• The candidate may be of any national descent or background.
• In her Will, Dolores Zohrab Liebmann stated that: “It is my desire that no benefit from such Fellowships or Scholarships be enjoyed by any person who, or institution which, supports, advocates or upholds the principles and doctrines of Communism.” Accordingly,
  • If the Candidate or the institution supports, advocates or upholds the principles and doctrines of Communism, the Trustee reserves the right to reject the application.
  • The Trustee also reserves the right to require the Candidate to submit an affidavit, affirmed or sworn to before a Notary Public, confirming that he or she does not support, advocate or uphold the principles and doctrines of Communism.

Bowdoin’s Internal Selection Process. Since the College is only allowed to nominate three Bowdoin students annually for a Delores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowsship, the Committee will review the materials listed below to select Bowdoin’s three nominees. Please submit the following materials to the Office Student Fellowships and Research by the “Initial Bowdoin Deadline” (see above):

• A completed and signed Application (available from the Office of Student Fellowships and Research).
• A Statement of Purpose up to three pages long (double spaced) which considers the relationship between your graduate level study and your intended personal and/or professional goals.
• Two Letters of Recommendation from professors who have taught or worked closely with you.
• Current resume.
• Unofficial transcript (print off of Bearings).
• Financial Aid information from the university or other applicable source.
• Copies of Federal Income Tax Returns for the prior two years (including spouse’s returns, if applicable).
• Signed and witnessed "Permission Form and Waiver"

Materials for the Final Application. If you receive Bowdoin’s nomination, it is your responsibility to continue revising and collecting your materials. By the “Final Bowdoin Deadline,” a Bowdoin nominee must submit to the Office of Student Fellowships and Research one original and five copies (four copies will be forwarded to the Trustees; one copy will be retained by the Office of Student Fellowships and Research) of the following documents binder clipped together.

• A completed and signed Application.
• A Statement of Purpose up to three pages long (double spaced) which considers the relationship between your graduate level study and your intended personal and/or professional goals.
• A 10-15 line abstract at the top of your Statement of Purpose (included in the three pages) that explains (in layman’s terms) your degree program, the research required to complete your studies and how you plan to contribute to the field once you have earned your degree.
• Letter of Recommendation from Dean of Graduate School or Department Chair, which the Office of Student Fellowships and Research will help you to coordinate.
• Letters of Recommendation from at least two professors who have taught or worked closely with you.
• Copy of personal vitae or resume.
• Certified copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts to date (one unopened original, SFR will make copies).
• Official copies of graduate exam test scores (if applicable).
• Financial Aid information from the University or other applicable source.
• Copies of Federal Income Tax Returns for the prior two years (including spouse’s returns, if applicable)

Note: If any of the documents above are not applicable to the candidate, please include a statement that discusses why the item has been omitted in its place. If application materials are not submitted as a complete binder clipped packet, the Trustee reserves the right to return the application. Also, all documents submitted will be retained by Trustee.

Please note that applicants are responsible for all photocopying needed for the internal selection process and as required by the foundation.