Riley Research Awards

1. A narrative proposal, no more than 1,000 words (approximately 4 double-spaced pages) in length. The narrative should describe:

• the research questions or goals of the proposed project (whether primary or secondary research, data analysis, field school etc.)
• the methodology, field methods, or procedure that will be used, and/or the sources of information that will be considered or analyzed
• the feasibility and scope of the project, including evidence that the applicant's background (previous coursework or research experience) prepares them to carry out the project proposal and what, specifically, the applicant aims to complete during the period of the award
• the timeline of the project, including number of weeks for which funding is requested
• the relevance or significance of the proposed project, or how this project relates to the broader scholarly field or anthropology
• the potential of the endeavor to enhance the student's academic program (e.g. completion of an honors project or independent study) or career or personal development (e.g. presentation at a conference, preparation for post-graduate education, contribution to community-engaged work

2. A statement identifying other funding sources to which the student has applied or expects to apply, and/or the other funding sources that the student has already been awarded for the project

3. A current Bowdoin transcript (print-out from Polaris is acceptable)

4. A letter of recommendation from the faculty member who has agreed to supervise or sponsor the project. Students are encouraged to have their faculty mentor review a draft of the proposal in advance of the deadline! The letter of recommendation should address the feasibility of the project, the applicant’s preparation, and the importance of the project to the student’s academic career. Faculty should email their letter directly to the Anthropology Department Coordinator, Monica Gallego (m.gallego@bowdoin.edu)

5. (Optional) A letter of acceptance, or a letter of invitation, from the organization where the applicant will be conducting research. (Only necessary for those applicants who will be participating in a field school or working directly with an organization other than Bowdoin College)

Applicants should send complete grant applications (including narrative proposal, statement of funding sources, and unofficial Bowdoin transcript) by email to the Department Coordinator, Monica Gallego (m.gallego@bowdoin.edu). Please be sure that your documents are identified by your last name and the name of the award (e.g. "NAME.RileyAwardProposal.pdf") and the subject heading of your email includes  your last name and the name of the award.  Faculty letters of recommendation are required but should be sent directly to the Department Coordinator, m.gallego@bowdoin.edu.

Should an award be granted, recipients using human or animal subjects must show Institutional Review Board approval of the project’s research methods before funds will be released.

Funding from External Sources

If a student receives full funding for the project from another source, the student is expected to decline the department’s award. If the student receives partial funding from another source, the student will agree to a reduction of the department’s award unless the other funding supports a different component of the project or is necessary for its full funding.

Housing

Students who are in good disciplinary standing with the College are eligible to stay in campus housing during the summer.  If you elect to live in campus housing over the summer, the College will cover the $700 cost and you will not pay rent. (Please note that for some students this benefit may be taxable).  Students who live off-campus, whether by choice or due to their standing with the Office of the Dean of Students, will not receive any support for their housing costs.

Submission and Presentation 

Upon their return to campus award recipients will submit a pdf of the final report required by the Student Fellowships office click here for instructions to the Anthropology Department Chair.  Award recipients will also participate in a department colloquium in which they will discuss their work. Student presentations will run 15 to 20 minutes in length. The department will schedule the colloquium in consultation with the student presenters.

Students who do not complete outlined work should contact the department chair to discuss what portion of the award should be returned. Students who fail to submit a report detailing the work they did, and/or fail to discuss their work in a department colloquium are expected to return their award. Failure to handle money, receipts, and reports appropriately may impact the student’s ability to receive future funding from the College.