Call for Proposals
International Research Travel Grants
Rohatyn Center for International Affairs (RCFIA)
Summer 2008 RCFIA International Research Travel Grants fund overseas research for Middlebury College juniors preparing to write senior theses. Students from any discipline or program whose proposed project is international in its orientation are eligible to apply. Students graduating in February ’09, May ’09, and February ’10 qualify for participation in the summer 2008 grant competition. The maximum award is $4,000. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, February 15, 2008. Grant recipients will be notified prior to spring break so that the appropriate arrangements for travel and the related research itinerary may be properly made. How to Apply: Applicants for RCFIA International Research Travel Grants must submit (1) a completed application form; (2) a budget form; (3) a research plan; (4) a statement of project feasibility; (5) a CV; (6) a transcript; and (7) two faculty letters of recommendation, at least one attesting to the applicant’s likely capacity for independent work and the feasibility of the proposed project, and at least one from the applicant’s likely thesis advisor. Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to give those writing letters a draft of their proposal to read before letters of recommendation are written. Criteria for Selection: Applications will be judged on the strength of the research design, the degree of preparation for the proposed work, the candidate’s academic record to date, the feasibility of the research project, and the need for overseas research to bring it to successful completion. Research in a foreign language, while desirable, is not a necessity. Timetable: Completed applications must be submitted in hard copy to Martha Baldwin, Program Coordinator, Rohatyn Center for International Affairs, by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 15, 2008. Grant recipients will be notified prior to the start of spring break. Expectations of Grant Recipients: All grant recipients will be expected and required to do four things: (1) in spring 2008, attend the RCFIA overseas research workshop. The workshop will provide an opportunity for winners to receive valuable advice and feedback before embarking on their research from faculty familiar with the challenges of research abroad, as well as from seniors who have just completed internationally-oriented theses (special arrangements will be made for students studying abroad); (2) by October 1, 2008, submit a report of no more than 500 words outlining the work accomplished to date; (3) in fall 2008, participate in meeting to discuss status of project; (4) complete the thesis; and (5) in the winter or spring of 2009, present the results of the research in the RCFIA International Thesis Forum. Contact Information:
Martha Baldwin
Program Coordinator, Rohatyn Center for International Affairs
Robert A. Jones '59 House
Tel: 802-443-5324
Fax: 802-443-2050
baldwin@middlebury.edu |