FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Related to Application

Seniors are only eligible to apply for the Langbein Fellowship, which is offered most (but not all) years.

The phase one application will ask for basic information, such as the identification of your faculty mentor and a brief description of your project, and will require you to upload your unofficial academic history from Polaris. This application will trigger an e-mail to be sent to your mentor with instructions on how he or she can submit your letter of support by the phase two deadline.

The phase two application will ask for additional personal information and will require you to upload your full project description and budget (if applicable).

On some rare occasions, a student who has missed the phase one deadline may still be able to submit an application with the approval of his or her mentor. Please contact Corey Colwill for additional information.

If you decide you no longer wish to pursue an institutional research fellowship at any point after starting the process, you can withdraw from the process by contacting Corey Colwill and your faculty mentor. There is no need to complete a phase two application if you no longer wish to be considered for a fellowship.

For a complete list of summer funding opportunities at Bowdoin, please click here.

Carrying Out the Fellowship

No, by accepting a fellowship you agree to commit 8, 9, or 10 weeks of full-time effort during the summer towards the completion of your proposed project and should refrain from employment during the period of your appointment.

When a student is offered an institutional fellowship, s/he will be asked whether s/he plans to accept any additional College-funded opportunities.

College policy states that a student may receive a maximum of ten weeks of support from the College per summer. Therefore, if both awards offer institutional support, the relevant offices will work together to maximize the student’s summer experience while adhering to the College’s ten-week policy.

Research Related Expenses. College policy prohibits the same expense being covered twice by two different funds. If both awards reimburse the student for research-related expenses, the relevant offices will work together to maximize the student’s summer experience while ensuring that each expense is reimbursed/covered only once.

Students normally do not receive compensation and academic credit for the same work. Questions should be directed to the Director of Student Fellowships and Research.

Your first award payment will not arrive until early June, but you may begin your summer research at any time.

No, with your advisor's approval your research may be carried out at any time during the summer.

If you cannot commit full-time effort for 8, 9, or 10 weeks over the summer to undertake your research, please contact Corey Colwill (ccolwill@bowdoin.edu) to discuss your options.

Research involving human or animal subjects must be either covered by an approved protocol or found exempt before any research can commence. Research cannot be approved retroactively; therefore, projects that may inform a future independent study or honors project must receive approval prior to conducting the research.

Projects involving human subjects will need to be reviewed by Bowdoin’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). Human subjects research includes collecting data through interviews and surveys, using private information from identifiable individuals, and experimental testing on individuals. For more information about the role of the IRB, or for answers to questions about the submission process, please email IRB@bowdoin.edu. Projects involving vertebrate animals will need to be reviewed by Bowdoin’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). For more information, please email the IACUC chair at iacuc@bowdoin.edu.

At the completion of your fellowship you must complete and electronically submit a brief one-page report of your research project, which will be posted on the Student Fellowships and Research website and may be shared with donors. A one-page final report template along with formatting and submission instructions is linked here.

Taxes will not be deducted from your award payments; however, you may be required to report your award amount when you file your annual tax return. In January following your fellowship, you will receive a letter from the Controller's Office detailing the amount of your fellowship and in-kind support you have received; you may need this letter when preparing your annual tax return.

Housing

Students opt to carry out 8, 9, or 10 weeks of research. Please discuss with your faculty mentor what the appropriate number of weeks for your project should be before submitting a phase two application. Students should discuss with their faculty mentors what would be the appropriate duration of their fellowship and consider their own research goals and availability as well as their faculty mentors’ availability when making this decision. Selected fellows are expected to commit full-time effort to their research project and faculty mentors must approve the duration of the fellowship period.

No, students must apply for summer housing. Staying on campus during the summer is a privilege, and any student wishing to live in campus summer housing must also be in good social standing. All students should make sure to read the terms of the lease, including the fine print, to ensure that they can meet all the requirements of summer housing.

No, research fellows living off campus for the summer do not receive any housing support.

Yes, Bowdoin College students and faculty have access to the Executive Assistant Program when they are traveling outside of the United States.

Other Summer Funding Opportunities

For a complete list of all summer funding opportunities, click here!

FAQs

Related to Application

I'm graduating in the spring. Can I still apply for a summer fellowship?

What is the difference between the phase one application and the phase two application?

What if I miss the phase one deadline?

What if I change my mind after submitting a phase one application?

What additional summer funding opportunities are available at Bowdoin?

Carrying Out the Fellowship

If I receive a fellowship, can I take additional summer work?

If I receive an institutional research fellowship, can I also accept another Bowdoin-funded opportunity such as a Funded Internship or Community Matters in Maine Fellowship?

Can my research project count toward academic credit?

When can I start my summer research?

Does my research need to be carried out consecutively?

What if I can’t commit 8, 9, or 10 weeks of full-time effort during the summer toward my research project?

My project involves vertebrate animal or human research subjects. What do I need to do?

My fellowship award letter said I need to complete a final report. What is that supposed to look like and how do I submit it?

Is the grant money subject to taxes?

Housing

How long does my fellowship period last?

Is on-campus housing guaranteed for research fellows?

Is off-campus housing subsidized?

My project may involve international travel. Is there any additional information I should know?

Other Summer Funding Opportunities