Undergraduate Development
Research, Community Engagement, Career Exploration
In addition to the Bowdoin-funded fellowships, internships, and research awards described below, students often have the opportunity to apply for fellowships made available through grants awarded to the College, such as the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowships and the National Institutes of Health–IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence Summer Fellowships. More information is available from the offices of Student Fellowships and Research and Career Exploration and Development.
Ajmera Internship Fund: The fund is designed to support Bowdoin students undertaking unpaid internships. (2018)
Alumni Council Internship Fund, in memory of Maurice B. Littlefield ’41: This fund is designed to allow a student to take an unpaid internship to explore or gain greater knowledge in a career field of their choice. (2012)
Dr. Samuel and Rose A. Bernstein Prize for Excellence in the Study of History: In honor of the historian of Europe and revolutionary social movements, Samuel Bernstein, and Rose Bernstein. Awarded to an undeclared history student who, in the collective judgement of members of the Department of History, has demonstrated exceptional promise in a history class. (2020)
Bowdoin Public Service Fellowship: The Bowdoin Public Service Fellowship program offers rising seniors the opportunity to pursue a ten-week summer internship in the fields of government and public policy. Internships are primarily based in Washington, DC, and may include working in a federal office, agency, or nongovernmental organization engaged in policy work. During the summer, fellows meet several times for discussions with alumni to further their knowledge and networks in the field of public service. (2018)
Bowdoin Public Service Maine Government Fellowship: The Bowdoin Public Service Maine Government Fellowship program provides students with a ten-week funded summer placement in a Maine state or local government office. The fellowship includes a stipend and fellows are eligible for on-campus housing. In addition to their placements, students complete a biweekly journal reflection on their experience and meet periodically with other fellows and staff in order to contextualize the experience. (2020)
Bowdoin Scientific Station Summer Fellowships: Bowdoin Scientific Station Fellows spend eight weeks in the summer at Bowdoin’s scientific field station on Kent Island in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada, conducting research in ecology, ornithology, animal behavior, marine biology, botany, geology, and meteorology or producing artistic works. Students conduct independent fieldwork with the mentoring and support of the station director and other faculty. Fellows have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty members and graduate students and other undergraduates conducting research from numerous colleges and universities.
Peter Buck Student Internship Fund: This fund, established in honor of Dr. Peter Buck ’52, is designed to support Bowdoin undergraduates employed in nonpaying internships. (2016)
Dr. and Mrs. James Chan and Mr. and Mrs. The Tran Internship Fund: Established by Ellen Chan '97 and Cali Tran '97, this fund supports Bowdoin students in unpaid internships. (2016)
Alan M. Christenfeld Fellowship Fund: Established in 2011 with a gift from Alan M. Christenfeld ’73, this fund supports undergraduate research with a preference for work in the social sciences and humanities. (2011)
Cheryl M. Coffin '75 Internship Fund: This fund is used in support of internships for Bowdoin undergraduates with preference given to students from Maine, students participating in internships in Maine, or students participating in internships in STEM fields. (2018)
James Stacy Coles Undergraduate Research Fellowship Fund: Established by gifts of family members and friends as a memorial to James Stacy Coles, the fund supports the activity of students engaged directly in serious scientific research. Fellowships are awarded annually to highly qualified students. The funds are used by students for substantial participation in a scientific research project under the direction of a faculty member who is independently interested in the area under study. While the name of the project differs from discipline to discipline, all projects give students firsthand experience with productive scholarly scientific research. (1997)
Martha Reed Coles Undergraduate Research Fellowship Fund: Established in honor of Martha Reed Coles, by members of her family. As the first lady of Bowdoin College from 1952 to 1967, she took an active and vital interest in every phase of life at the College. The pleasure she received from her interaction with Bowdoin’s students and her appreciation of their youthful energy, intellect, achievements, and promise inspired her children to establish the fund. Income from this fund supports students engaged in scholarly research in the arts or humanities. (2000)
Chester W. Cooke III Student Research Fund: Established through a gift from Chester Cooke III, a member of the Class of 1957, this fund supports student community-based research projects with a first preference to students whose major is environmental studies and a second preference for those living in Quinby House. (2011)
Richard G. D'Auteuil '82 and Kimberly A. Labbe '82 Internship Fund: This fund supports unpaid internships for students from Maine, students participating in internships in Maine, or students participating in internships in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. (2020)
Davis Fund: Established through a gift from Walter G. Davis, this fund supports research mini-grants to students to encourage undergraduate interest in international affairs. (1934)
Delta Sigma Arts Fellowship: Funded by a former Bowdoin fraternity, this grant is open to all creative disciplines supporting unpaid internships in the arts while enabling students to be as closely involved in the creative process as possible. (2012)
Hanley G. Denning ’92 Fellowship for the Common Good: Named in honor of Common Good Award recipient and founder of Safe Passage Hanley Denning ’92, the Denning Fellowship is designed for students who already have a foundation in community engagement and are seeking an in-depth experience working on a public issue of interest related to their academic major. Fellowships must include some research component on behalf of an organization or community, and students will have the opportunity to design an independent study related to their summer work to be taken up the following academic year. Preference is given to proposals for work based in Maine, but applications for work throughout the United States are also considered. (2012)
Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation Coastal Studies Research Awards: Doherty Fellowships are awarded to students to support substantial participation in a scientific research project by a student under the direction of a faculty member who is independently interested in the subject under study. Fellowships are awarded for summer research projects in marine and coastal studies. (1997)
Robert and Blythe Edwards Fund for the Arts: Established by Robert H. Edwards, Bowdoin College president emeritus (1990–2001), and Blythe B. Edwards, this fellowship is designed to foster summer research and learning by students in the creative and performing arts. This may be accomplished through faculty-mentored and/or structured training in the creative or performing arts (including music, theater and dance, the fine arts, creative writing, and cinema studies). Fellowship recipients may study under the direction of a Bowdoin faculty member; however, opportunities that cannot be adequately replicated under the direction of a Bowdoin faculty member, yet are deemed essential to a student's academic program, may also be undertaken with support from this fellowship. Examples of such opportunities include but are not limited to participation in major summer festivals, preprofessional training, or internships. (2016)
Freedman Summer Research Fellowship in Coastal/Environmental Studies: Freedman Summer Research Fellowships, provided by a gift by Dr. and Mrs. Alan M. Freedman ’76, P’08, support Bowdoin undergraduates who wish to engage in a faculty-student summer research project in coastal or environmental studies. These interdisciplinary pursuits may include but are not limited to environmental research, climate issues, biodiversity, water and air pollution, and use and abuse of natural resources affecting coastal Maine or the Maine heartland. Preference shall be given to students majoring in the basic sciences and who plan to continue their research at the graduate level. (2006)
Freedman Summer Research Fellowship in Computer Science: Freedman Summer Research Fellowships were established by Dr. Alan M. Freedman of the Class of 1976 and his wife, Nancy, to support and encourage Bowdoin undergraduates whose field of concentration is computer science to engage in faculty-student summer research projects in interdisciplinary pursuits with emphasis on innovative ideas and concepts such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cognitive modeling, learning, human-computer collaboration, decision-making, speech and language processing, geographic information systems (GIS) and other data-intensive applications, computer and network security, and other computer science-related research, with a preference for students who plan to continue their research at the graduate level. Candidates are identified by the computer science faculty. (2006)
Robert Freedman '87, P'17 and Anne Cirillo P'17 Student Fellowship Fund: This fund, established with a gift from Robert Freedman '87, P'17 and Anne Cirillo P'17, provides feellowship support for Bowdoin students to pursue research in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Preference is given to women and underrepresented groups in STEM. (2019)
Gibbons Summer Research Program: The Gibbons Summer Research Program was established by John A. Gibbons Jr. ’64 to enable students who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors to work with members of the faculty on projects that use technology to explore interdisciplinary areas and to develop fresh approaches to the study of complex problems. The students benefit not only by spending the summer focusing on a complex issue, but, as importantly, working closely with a faculty member and learning how they study and analyze problems. Because the Gibbons Program values interdisciplinary work and thinking, students do not need to be working on projects in their major. (2001)
Global Citizens Fellowship: The Global Citizens Fellowship provides students the opportunity to pursue summer volunteer and public service projects with grassroots organizations outside of the United States. The intent is to support student projects that are independently designed and focus on providing direct service by working in local communities. By enabling students to immerse themselves in foreign cultures for a full summer, the Global Citizens Fellowship aims to encourage a broadening of perspective among volunteers, the foreign communities in which they work, and the Bowdoin community to which they return. (2007)
Susan and Jeffrey Goldenberg '77 Internship Fund: This fund, established by Jeff '77 and Susan Goldenberg, supports Bowdoin students in unpaid internships. (2021)
Goldsmith Adams Fund: Established through a gift from Jennifer Goldsmith Adams ’90, this fund supports students’ travel and research in Asian studies, with preference to students doing research in China. (2003)
Alfred E. Golz Fellowships: Support research opportunities and internships for history majors and minors during the summer months. These fellowships have been made possible by a generous gift from Ronald Golz ’56 in memory of his father. (2014)
Alfred E. Golz Lecture Fund: Established by Ronald A. Golz '56 in memory of his father. This fund is used to support a lecture by an eminent historian or humanitarian to be scheduled close to the November 21 birthday of Alfred E. Golz. (1970)
Robert S. Goodfriend Summer Internships: The Goodfriend internships, established through a generous gift from Robert S. Goodfriend ’57, are awarded to encourage students to pursue summer internships that will develop their business skills and increase their exposure to the business world. (2006)
Matthew Greitzer '98 and Kimberly Driessen '98 Career Exploration Fund: This fund is designed to support internships for Bowdoin undergraduates. (2018)
Peter J. Grua and Mary G. O’Connell Faculty/Student Research Fellowship Fund: This fund, created by Peter J. Grua and Mary G. O’Connell, both of the Class of 1976, supports faculty-student research, regardless of discipline. Awards from the fund support student travel that will substantially enhance students’ honors projects or research being conducted under the mentorship of a faculty member, and may also be used to defray students’ research expenses. (2007)
Hughes Family Summer Research Fellowship: Established by Jefferson E. and Karen T. Hughes, the parents of C. Andrew Hughes ’05 and Alexandra Hughes ’07, supports students engaged in summer research in environmental studies. (2005)
The Kaempfer Summer Art Grant: Supported by the endowed Kaempfer Fund, the grant provides financial assistance, when available, for summer student projects within the visual arts department at Bowdoin College. The Kaempfer Fund allows students to pursue independent projects during the summer. The grant encourages the exploration of new techniques and subjects. A cohesive project must be developed over the course of the summer. The grant is intended to encourage the student to work independently with advice from a faculty member to execute a long-term studio project outside of the context of the classroom.
Kappa Psi Upsilon Environmental Studies Fund: The Fund was established by the Psi Upsilon Chapter House Association to support student internships and other programs relating to environmental studies. The ten-week summer fellowships are managed by the Environmental Studies Program and provide several undergraduates with stipends for work with Maine non-profit organizations and governmental agencies or organizations outside of Maine that are dedicated to environmental justice or sustainability. Selection criteria include academic record, students’ interest and experience, and financial need, with preference given to environmental studies majors/students who have taken environmental study core courses. Student fellows have the opportunity to incorporate their summer work experience into an independent study or honors project. The Environmental Studies Program coordinates with the McKeen Center for the Common Good in seeking opportunities to strengthen community-campus partnerships across a broad range of disciplines. (1999)
Kaufman Family Fund: This fund established by Matthew R. Kaufman ’72, P’02 and Marcia A. Kaufman P’02 supports awards to students conducting research in any discipline during the summer or academic year under the mentorship of a Bowdoin faculty member. (2007)
Kibbe Science Fellowships: The Kibbe Fellowships, established by Dr. Frank W. Kibbe, Class of 1937, and his wife, Lucy K. Kibbe, support student research in the sciences. (2003)
Fritz C. A. Koelln Research Fund: This fund was established by John A. Gibbons Jr. ’64, to honor Fritz C. A. Koelln, professor of German and George Taylor Files Professor of Modern Languages who was an active member of the Bowdoin faculty from 1929 until 1971. The income from the fund provides research mini-grants to support exploration of a topic that surmounts traditional disciplinary boundaries. The purpose of the fund is to encourage broad, essentially humanistic inquiry, and is awarded with preference given to worthy projects founded at least in part in the humanities. (1972)
Kufe Family Student Research Support Fund: Established by Donald W. Kufe, MD, of the Class of 1966, and his wife, Hillary R. Mankin-Kufe, the fund supports student research in the natural sciences with a preference for majors in biology or chemistry. (2016)
Richard B. ’62 and Sabra Ladd Government Internship: This fund is designed for current students pursuing an unpaid summer internship in the US government or a US national public policy institute. (2008)
Edward E. Langbein Sr. Summer Research Award: Provides support to undergraduates pursuing summer research or advanced study directed toward their major field or lifework. The award honors Edward E. Langbein Sr. and was initially funded through the bequest of his widow, Adelaide Langbein. Their son, Edward E. Langbein Jr., a member of the Class of 1957, continues to support the award, as do other members of the family.
Latin American Studies Student Research Grants: Awarded to Bowdoin sophomores and juniors majoring in any academic discipline, these grants are intended to support student research in Latin America or the Caribbean, or on Latino/as in the US, that contributes to a subsequent independent study or honors project. (2000)
The Lawrence E. Lifson ’63, P’95 Family Summer Research Fellowship in the Social Sciences: This fellowship was established by Lawrence Lifson ’63, father of Deborah Lifson Vogel ’95. It is designed to support summer research by a student mentored by a Bowdoin faculty member. Preference is first given to students engaged in research in psychology, and second to students engaged in research in the other social sciences. (2013)
Littlefield Summer Fellowships: The Littlefield Summer Research Fellowships, created in honor of William D. Littlefield, Class of 1922, through the bequest of his wife, Beatrice B. Griswold, support hands-on research in chemistry for students working closely with a Bowdoin faculty member. (2004)
Lubin Family Foundation Internship Fund: This fund supports Bowdoin students in unpaid internships. (2020)
Maine Community Summer Fellowships: The Maine Community Summer Fellowships, coordinated in collaboration with the Environmental Fellowship Program, provide students the opportunity to work and serve in the local community through a placement in an organization to address community issues while strengthening campus–community partnerships. Through a ten-week funded placement, students explore work in the public sector while applying their academic studies to real-life problems at the local level. (2006)
Craig A. McEwen Student Research Fellowship in the Social Sciences Fund: Established with gifts in honor of Professor Emeritus Craig McEwen, this fund supports students engaged in research, with first preference given to students engaged in research in sociology and second preference given to students engaged in research in the social sciences and humanities. (2012)
McKee Photography Grants: These grants are supported by the McKee Fund for Photography, a fund established to augment the photography offerings within the Visual Arts division of the Department of Art at Bowdoin. The grant is intended to support student photography projects annually during the summer months and public lectures and exhibitions upon completion in the fall. The grant is intended to encourage the students to work independently with advice, even if from afar, from a faculty member to execute a long-term photographic project outside of the context of the classroom. (2003)
The Thomas A. McKinley ’06 and Hannah Weil McKinley ’08 Summer Fellowship: This award is designed to support students undertaking summer projects and internships, including original projects that serve the common good, advance research and creative efforts, or develop a business venture. The award is only limited by the imagination and creativity of Bowdoin students. (2002)
Micoleau Family Fellowship Fund in the Creative and Performing Arts: This fund was established by Charles ’63 and Judith Micoleau and their son, Tyler Micoleau ’91. It supports a fellowship to Bowdoin undergraduates to foster research and/or structured training in the creative and performing arts (including music, theater and dance, the fine arts, creative writing, and cinema studies). Fellowship recipients may study under the direction of a Bowdoin faculty member; however, opportunities that cannot be adequately replicated under the direction of a Bowdoin faculty member, yet are deemed essential to a student’s academic program (e.g., participation in major summer festivals, preprofessional training, internships) may also be undertaken. (2011)
Nikuradse-Mathews Public Interest Summer Fellowship Fund: This fund, established by Scott A. Mathews ’84 and Tamara A. Nikuradse ’84 in support of summer fellowships to Bowdoin undergraduates who receive financial aid, consistent with College policies governing financial assistance to its students, encourages students to pursue unpaid internships serving the underserved in humanitarian organizations, social service agencies, legal aid societies, public education, and similar settings during the summer. (2006)
Paul L. Nyhus Travel Grant: The Nyhus Travel Grant was established by gifts of family and friends in memory of Paul L. Nyhus, Frank Andrew Munsey Professor of History, to support original student research that uses archival or other primary source material for an advanced seminar, advanced independent study, or honors project in history and the related costs for travel, whether in this country or abroad. (2006)
Paller Research Fellowship: The Paller Research Fellowship, provided by gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Paller P’01, supports ten-week summer neuroscience research projects conducted by students under the direction of Bowdoin’s neuroscience faculty. (2003)
Patterson/Baird Family Research Fellowship Fund: This fund honors three generations of Patterson and Baird families: Herbert M. Patterson ’42, Amy Patterson Baird ’78, P’08, P’09, and Bruce C. Baird ’08, and Emily W. Baird ’09. The income from this fund supports student research with a preference for summer research in the humanities. (2008)
Ellen M. P’78 and Herbert M. Patterson ’42, P’78 Research Fellowship Fund: This fund celebrates Mr. and Mrs. Patterson’s long association with the College and honors the couple’s daughter, Amy P. Baird ’78, and her two children, their grandchildren, Bruce C. Baird ’08 and Emily W. Baird ’09. The income from this fund supports students engaged in research with a preference to students conducting research in the humanities over the summer months. (2009)
Matthew R. Patterson '93 Internship Fund: This fund supports unpaid internships for students in the field of biotechnology, in the field of pharmaceutical research and development, or related to health care innovation. (2020)
Scott and Anne Perper Internship Fund: Established by Scott B. Perper ’78 and Anne B. Perper ’80, this fund gives priority to students receiving financial aid who are working in unpaid internships in the private sector. (2016)
The Poppy Fund: The fund was established in honor of "Poppy" Lark, an environmentalist and longtime resident of Maine. The fund is managed by the Environmental Studies Program and provides funding for a student to work for an environmental nonprofit in Maine. Selection criteria include academic record, students' interest and experience, and financial need—with a preference given to environmental studies majors and students who have taken environmental studies core courses. (2021)
Preston Public Interest Career Fund Fellowships: A generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Preston P’91 has provided the College with funds to support students committed to enhancing social justice by serving the needs of the underserved and disadvantaged through direct service or community organizing. The Public Interest Career Fund Summer Fellowship Program was established to encourage students to intern for social services agencies, legal services, humanitarian organizations, and public education during the summer, with the hope that they will, as undergraduates, begin to build a foundation for future career development in these areas. (1996)
John L. Roberts Fund: This fund was established by the bequest of John Leonard Roberts of the Class of 1911. The income from this fund supports mini-grants to any student receiving aid from the College —except those who are considering becoming a teacher—who wish to conduct research in any field. (1958)
Rusack Coastal Studies Fellowships: The Rusack Coastal Studies Fellowships, provided through the generous gift of Geoffrey C. Rusack ’78 and Alison Wrigley Rusack, are open to students in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences involved in projects that bring new insight and understanding to coastal studies. The fund promotes and facilitates student and faculty disciplinary and interdisciplinary study projects at Bowdoin’s Coastal Studies Center, the surrounding coastal areas, and Casco Bay. (2001)
Surdna Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program: An undergraduate research fellowship program established in 1959 was renamed in 1968 the Surdna Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program in recognition of two gifts of the Surdna Foundation. Awarded annually to juniors, Surdna Fellowships enable students to engage in independent research in any discipline under the direction of a faculty member. The nature of the project differs from discipline to discipline, but all should give the fellow firsthand acquaintance with productive scholarly work. (1959)
The Visual Arts Endowment Fund: This fund, established by Steven P. Marrow '83, P'21 and Dianne A. Pappas P'21, supports creative, professional experiences for students in the visual arts, including but not limited to fellowships, internships, residencies, studio apprenticeships, and other immersive experiences. (2021)
The Phyllis Marshall Watson Prize: Awarded to a Bowdoin undergraduate who, in the collective judgement of members of the Department of History, has the best student paper on subjects related to the American Civil War era, on war-related themes in modern history. (2020)
Nellie C. Watterson Summer Fellowship Fund in the Creative and Performing Arts: This fund, established by Paul and Jennifer Korngiebel, of the Classes of 1988 and 1987 respectively, honors Professor William C. Watterson, Edward Little Professor of the English Language and Literature, and his mother, Nellie C. Watterson. The fellowship is designed to foster summer research and learning by students through faculty-mentored and/or structured training in the creative or performing arts (including music, theater and dance, the fine arts, creative writing, and film studies). Fellowship recipients may study under the direction of a Bowdoin faculty member; however, opportunities that cannot be adequately replicated under the direction of a Bowdoin faculty member, yet are deemed essential to a student’s academic program (e.g., participation in major summer festivals, preprofessional training, internships) may also be undertaken. (2007)
Williams Family Internship Fund: Established by Benjamin J. Williams Jr. ’81, his wife, Elizabeth P. Williams, and his daughters, Margaret C. Williams ’12, Gretchen R. Williams ’14, and Anna P. Williams ’16, this fund is designed to provide funding for students undertaking internships with preference to female students pursuing opportunities in education, the arts, and sustainability. (2016)
Wolfe Family Internship Fund: Established by Jim and Rose Wolfe P'18, P'19, this fund supports female students in unpaid internships in the nonprofit sector. (2019)