Student Opportunities
We are pleased to announce our first round of research grants to support students who are interested in exploring and developing AI research, creative work, and skills. Following up on our recent announcement for our second round of faculty grants, the Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity (HIAIH) aims to support projects within the established goals of empowering the Bowdoin community to "critically examine, thoughtfully utilize, and ethically shape AI's trajectory."
We welcome Student Grant applications that explore how AI can further student interests and projects or that critically examine its implications. We look forward to supporting students across a diverse array of academic disciplines, creative practices, and endeavors. The funding period will last up to one year.
We also invite students to apply to join our inaugural cohort of Hastings Summer Fellows, who will receive AI training by Hastings Initiative members and spend the summer working with faculty and Hastings Initiative members on AI-related projects. Fellows must begin by June 1, 2026
All student grant recipients and summer fellows will submit a 1-2 page report and may be invited to participate in a symposium.
Grant Categories
Student AI Grant
Maximum funding: $1,000The goal of these grants is to provide students with opportunities to engage with AI. Examples include, though are not limited to:
- Supplemental funding of honor theses and independent studies (priority is given to these projects)
- Learning about and practicing/training on relevant unfamiliar AI software
- Collaborating with faculty, staff, and external organizations on AI-related projects
Hastings Summer Fellow
$615 per week for 8 weeks, plus campus housing
Students spend this time engaging deeply with faculty and Hastings Initiative members on multiple AI-related projects.
- Part of this period includes necessary supplemental training
- Training will be adapted to participants’ backgrounds and available projects, and may include data science fundamentals, building predictive models, working with LLMs and AI tools, and/or human factors research methods
- Students will be paired with a supportive member of the initiative—which includes post-baccalaureates, post-doctoral assistants, and faculty—who can provide technical or project support to grant recipients as needed. The ability to work relatively independently, however, will be prioritized in selecting applicants
- In some cases, this fellowship period may be extended to 9 or 10 weeks for students who have extenuating circumstances
Apply
The applications for both the Student AI Grant and the Hastings Summer Fellows Program require the contact information for a faculty or staff member whom you have asked to submit a short recommendation on your behalf. Once you submit your application, your recommender will receive a separate form with a short set of questions about your candidacy.
To apply for the Student AI Grant, complete this application form. The application requests a description of your project/goals and a budget/timeline. Student AI Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed twice per month. The committee normally meets on Fridays and will respond within two weeks of the Friday following submissions (note the spring break schedule).
To apply for the Hastings Summer Fellows Program, complete this form. The application includes four reflection questions (1-2 paragraphs each) regarding your interest in the program, relevant background, and skills you aim to develop. The deadline for applying to be a Hastings Summer Fellow is March 1st.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of your proposal, do not hesitate to send an email to Hastings.Committee@bowdoin.edu or drop in on our postdoc office hours: Monday-Thursday from 9-10am in Dudley Coe.