Student Fellowships & Research

Eligibility. First-years, sophomores, and juniors may apply. Current seniors are ineligible. Preference will be given to students (1) who have not previously lived in Asia, (2) who wish to spend time in China, and (3) whose proposed Goldsmith Adams projects will substantially enhance their honors projects or research remotely mentored by a Bowdoin faculty member.

APPLICATION PROCESS. Scholarly mentoring is crucial for a positive research fellowship experience. Interested students are encouraged to talk with faculty early in the process so that they can identify a faculty member who will be available and willing to mentor the student throughout the fellowship period.

Students can apply online for the Goldsmith Adams Research Award with a two-phase online application. To access the application, click here.

PHASE ONE APPPLICATION.  The phase one online application (see deadline above) will require you (the student) to provide:

• student name and e-mail address
• contact information for your faculty mentor
• an uploaded PDF of your student bio sheet from Bearings
• an uploaded PDF of your academic record from Bearings
• and uploaded PDF of a brief paragraph describing your proposed project (this description will not be used in the final review process; it is solely for the purpose of conveying your project idea to your mentor)

When you submit your phase one online application, your mentor will receive an e-mail explaining how to upload a letter of support by the phase two deadline, and you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the phase two application.  The phase one deadline pertains to student applicants only; the letter of support from your faculty mentor is due by the phase two deadline.   If you have any problems or questions, please contact Emily Briley.

If you are even considering applying for a Goldsmith Adams Research Award, you are encouraged to submit a phase one application.  You can withdraw from the process by contacting Emily Briley and your faculty mentor.  There is no need to complete a phase two application if you are no longer interested in being considered for an institutional research fellowhsip. 

PHASE TWO APPLICATION.  The phase two online application will ask you to:

• Answer questions about your citizenship, disciplinary standing with the College, and study away status
• Provide your project title and faculty mentor's contact information
• Upload your project description, which should not exceed two single-spaced typewritten pages, and should include:
  • A description of the disciplinary context of your proposed project and its focus (i.e., the questions, ideas, and/or works that you plan to examine and why)
  • A description of the methodology you will employ to carry out your project, including an explanation of how you will use your time
  • A description of how you have prepared yourself to undertake your proposed project such as previous coursework, reading, research paper(s), etc.
  • A description of how your project will enhance your major and contribute to your future plans
• Upload a budget and budget justification 

Additionally, faculty mentors will be expected to submit their letters of recommendation via the online application system, following the e-mailed instructions sent to the mentor by the online system when the student submitted his or her phase one application.

Selection Criteria. Members of the Internal Student Fellowships Committee review applications and base their award decisions on the following:

• the quality of the proposed project and the candidate's narrative description
• the extent to which the proposed project meets the aims of the Goldsmith Adams Research Award
• the candidate's academic record, particular interests and competence
• the faculty mentor's letter of recommendation 
• the extent to which the faculty-student mentor relationship is described and appropriate to the project.

Award. The College anticipates making one award for summer 2013 not to exceed $4000. Funding from this award can be used to defray expenses the student incurs related to travel to, research in, or participation in a language program in Asia; as a stipend; or any combination.