Student Research and Funding

The Department of Anthropology encourages students to pursue their intellectual passions through independent research under the mentorship of department faculty. The College and the Department offer various funding sources and research opportunities to support student research.

Anthropology students engage in independent research during the summers, often traveling to conduct fieldwork in places like Finland or Jamaica or Peru. Others engage in archaeological field schools in the United States and elsewhere. During the academic year, seniors may pursue year-long Honors Projects, deepening their research, writing, and presentation skills as they work closely with a faculty mentor. Students also may extend their coursework or explore novel projects through semester-long Independent Study. 

The Department offers two different types of funding: Riley Research Awards and Enrichment Grants.

In addition, the Office of Student Fellowships and Research  supports student research through institutional awards. We strongly encourage students to apply for Bowdoin College institutional awards and national fellowships. 