Mini Grants for Research

With the aid of their faculty mentors, Bowdoin students are able to apply for mini grants for research – made possible with funding from the Davis, Roberts, and Koelln Funds – to support academic year undergraduate research and travel in all disciplines. Each fund has slightly different criteria, which are outlined below; however, the application process is the same for all three funds. The Internal Fellowships Committee makes awards based on the merits of the proposals and the funds available. Students are encouraged to submit reasonable budgets that are well-justified.

Davis Fund 

fosters undergraduate interests in international affairs. Awards typically range between $150 and $300.

Koelln Fund 

supports faculty-mentored student research in the exploration of a topic that surmounts traditional disciplinary boundaries. The purpose of the fund is to encourage broad, essentially humanistic inquiry, and will be awarded with preference given to worthy projects founded at least in part in the humanities. Awards typically range between $200 and $600.

Roberts Fund 

support an underprivileged scholar to do research in any field. Please not that the Internal Fellowships Committee defines "underprivileged scholar" as a student who is currently receiving aid from Bowdoin. Awards typically range between $200 and $800.  Students planning on a career in teaching are ineligible for the Roberts Fund.

Complete applications must be delivered to the Office of Student Fellowships and Research, located in 113 Kanbar Hall.  Applications can be delivered in person or emailed to Emily Briley, either is equally acceptable. A complete application/request comprises the following:

  • A one page, single-spaced description of the project. The project description should:
    • be understandable to a non-specialist
    • include clear statements regarding the fund to which the student is applying
    • include the project's start and end dates
    • have the student's name clearly written in the header
    • be written by the student; however, the Internal Fellowships Committee expects the faculty mentor to advise the student and to review the application and budget to ensure that all appropriate information is included.
  • An itemized budget and detailed budget justification, with all figures rounded to the nearest $10.  Please note that the Committee expects students to put forward a plan to use the funds as effectively as possible.  This often means staying in hostels, sharing hotel room, using mass transit when possible, etc. Students are also expected to see if departmental funds are available and, if available, explain how they will be used.
  • A printout of the student's academic record/transcript from Bearings
  • One letter of support from the faculty mentor submitted either in hard copy in a signed and sealed envelope or via email to Emily Briley.  Either way is equally accceptable.

The submission deadline is noon on the 15th of each month during the academic year, and applications must be delivered to the Office of Student Fellowships and Research, located in 113 Kanbar Hall, either in person or via email. If the 15th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline will be extended to 8:00 a.m. on the following Monday. Mini grant proposals are reviewed by members of the Internal Fellowships Committee, and in most cases, applicants are notified of the committee's decision within three weeks.