BCICS

INCREASE IN BCICS GRADUATE STUDENT SUMMER RESEARCH TRAVEL AWARDS

BCICS is pleased to announce that beginning this year, the maximum award for its Summer Research Travel Awards has been raised to $2,500. These awards provide summer funding for fieldwork outside the United States for NU doctoral students writing dissertations on comparative and international topics relevant to important contemporary political, economic and social issues. BCICS Director Andrew Wachtel said, “Opportunities for NU graduate students to conduct exploratory research, develop dissertation topics, and build contacts during the summer have produced not only stronger thesis projects, but also positioned our students to be highly competitive for prestigious national and international year-long dissertation fellowships. Summer research trips are also particularly important for students who discover the need for supplemental fieldwork as they are writing their thesis. The increase in awards should allow more students to consider summer field work and to stay in the field for a larger portion of the summer.”

All Northwestern University graduate students at any stage in their dissertation research are eligible to apply. Applications from students conducting exploratory thesis research are particularly encouraged. These awards may not be used for language study, for expenses in the US, for special equipment such as tape recorders, or for fees for transcription or translation. Awards are normally granted for work during the summer, but exceptions can be made if warranted.

All applicants are expected to concurrently seek research support from other sources. Applicants who have previously received a Summer Research Travel Award must also demonstrate that they have applied for funding from a source outside of Northwestern.

Regular participants in the BCICS Graduate Student Colloquium series with strong proposals will receive preference in BCICS grant competitions. To learn more about this series, see the BCICS website.

The application deadline is MARCH 1, 2008

Applicants should submit:

1) APPLICATION FORM

2) a 2-3 page proposal letter, which provides a brief description of the thesis project, an account of proposed summer activities, and an explanation of how those activities will contribute the thesis research

3) an estimated budget and a statement about other funding sources that are being sought and for what amount; and 4) one letter of recommendation written by an advisor/mentor

Please send your application to BCICS, 1902 Sheridan Road, and mark your envelope to the attention of BCICS Graduate Student Summer Research Grants. Faculty letters of recommendation maybe submitted separately to the same address or emailed by the recommender directly to BCICS Associate Director Brian Hanson bhanson@northwestern.edu.

Notification of funding decisions is expected around April 1st.

BCICS Summer Research Travel Award recipients are expected to actively participate in the BCICS Graduate Student Colloquium series after their return. Award recipients are also expected to submit a written summary of their trip and what they accomplished (approximately 5 pages, single-spaced).

Application questions may be directed to BCICS Associate Director, Brian Hanson: bhanson@northwestern.edu.

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