2014 APSA Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Application Cycle is Now Open!

Named in honor of the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize winner and former APSA President, Ralph J. Bunche, the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute (RBSI) program goal is to encourage students to pursue academic careers in political science by helping to:

·         Enhance participants' writing, research, and analytical skills and make them more competitive applicants for graduate school admissions and financial assistance;

·         Improve the students' use of computers for statistical analysis of research data used in the study of political science;

·         Expose interested and engaged students to issues in the discipline and profession of political science;

·         Introduce participants to leading political scientists;

·         Inform promising students about political science career opportunities and encourage applications to Ph.D. programs in political science.

Click here to access the 2014 APSA RBSI application!

The application deadline is Friday, January 17, 2014.

Eligibility
The program targets students from racial/ethnic groups that are significantly underrepresented in science in the United States, e.g. African American, Latino/a, Native American, and Pacific Island students. All students who are members of these groups, or who are interested in broadening participation in political science by students from underrepresented minority populations and pursuing scholarship on issues affecting under-represented groups, are eligible to apply. Applicants must be:

• United States citizens
• Completing their junior year of undergraduate study
• Majoring in political science or a related discipline
• Have an interest in attending graduate school in political science

Application Form and Process
Participants in the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute are drawn from a competitive national applicant pool. The RBSI Selection Committee reviews applications and will make decisions during the month of February. Applicants will be informed of their status via email. Applicants should submit the following required information:

• 2014 APSA RBSI Application Form
• Three letters of recommendation: one from department chair, and two more from other people who are familiar with the applicant's academic qualifications
• A personal statement, not to exceed two double-spaced typed pages, stating the reasons for wanting to participate in the 2014 APSA Ralph Bunche Summer Institute
• Resume
• Official academic transcripts (including Fall semester)

Completed application materials should be mailed to:

APSA Ralph Bunche Summer Institute
c/o Shaunda Ragland
American Political Science Association
1527 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036-1206 

Additional Information

For additional information about the APSA Ralph Bunche Program, click here. If you have questions about the program or the application process, contact Shaunda Ragland at 202.349.9362 or sragland@apsanet.org.