The Brown International Scholars Program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to make international studies an integral part of their Brown curriculum through research, public service or other independently designed projects. The program creates an enhanced context for students to probe the challenges and opportunities of international engagement through reflection and dialogue with a community of scholars, faculty mentors and community leaders.

The Fellowship is open to first year students, sophomores and juniors. Upon returning from the international summer experience, Fellows must have a full academic year in residence (at Brown).

Each year, a group of twenty Fellows will receive up to $5,000 to pursue scholarly interests abroad. Fellows may apply for an additional $1,000 in project extension funds upon return from international summer experiences.

The preferred method of submission is to send applications electronically to claire_creighton@brown.edu but we will accept hand delivered applications.

APPLICATION

The application should include the following components

 

> Cover sheet 

> Project Abstract and Proposal Narrative

>  Timeline and Action Plan

>  Budget

> Letter of Support
> Unofficial Transcript

 

COVER SHEET Please provide the following biographical information:

• Contact info- name, number, email address
• Concentration
• Faculty sponsor (and additional recommender is applicable) - name, department, number, email address
• If applying jointly with another applicant provide name
• Other funding- previously awarded/currently applying for
  
• How did you hear about this fellowship?
  

 

PROJECT ABSTRACT AND PROPOSAL NARRATIVE (combined should not exceed 5 pages)

PROPOSAL NARRATIVE: The proposal narrative should be no longer than five (5) typewritten pages in a twelve-point font with ‘one-and-a-half spacing and one-inch margins. Beyond these formatting parameters, there are no restrictions on the form the narrative can take. The applicant should address all of the questions outlined in Part Two of the application below.

• Background information about the issue, problem or circumstance you are interested in exploring and why you are interested in the project.
• Related academic or extra-curricular experiences that have contributed to your interest and preparation.
• Details about the project including key activities and end products (i.e. a paper, program, etc.).
• Goals. What do you hope to accomplish?
• Public value. What are the potential benefits and impact of your BISP award (beyond personal development)?
• Consideration of potential challenges. What are the limitations of the research or project?
• What kinds of support and resources are necessary for both planning and project implementation?

 

TIMELINE AND ACTION PLAN: (2 pages) We know this is tentative, but try your best.




The timeline/action plan should provide the Selection Committee with a breakdown of how the applicant conceives of undertaking her or his project. This segment of the application should reflect the feasibility of the project and demonstrate that the applicant has thought through the practical steps necessary to achieve her or his goals.




The timeline/action plan should include details about steps the student will take to initiate and implement the project, including a description of how key resources will be obtained, how relationships with partner organizations and international contacts will be developed.  The timeline/action plan should include information about how the student will work with the timelines of relevant internal and external partners (i.e. Brown's Institutional Review Board, international partner organization deadlines, etc.). For example, if the proposal involves a pre-existing program, the applicant should explain the plans for obtaining acceptance from the relevant international organization.  The timeline/action plan should also include living and meal arrangements and an overview of available on-site student support in matters of health and safety. 




BUDGET: (one page) Applicants may budget up to $5,000 in funding but are strongly encouraged not to go over $5,000. While the Selection Committee looks for budgets that are considered and detailed, they, like the timeline/action plan, are in no way expected to be exhaustive or final. This section of the application should offer insight, for the Committee as well as for the applicant, into the feasibility and logic of the project proposed. Budgets must include travel and in-country accommodation estimates. Ideally, funds should not be used to pay fees for language study or other kinds of programs at other institutions.  Please note that exchange rates should be taken into consideration as part of the budgeting process.


A sample budget might look like the following:
                Living accommodations, family stay/ Franschhoek family, Cape Town

$500
Food: $150/month x 3 months $450
Stipend: Summer earnings requirement for financial aid $1500
Travel: Roundtrip airfare (Providence-Cape Town), quoted by X agency

$2135
Project expenses: 1 MiniDisc recorder (as quoted from "X" MegaStore): $400
2 MiniDisc cassettes (as quoted from "X" MegaStore) (2 x $7.50): $15

Total: $5,000

 

LETTER OF SUPPORT (no more than two)

Please take down the current description and add this:

 

A letter of support from a Brown University faculty mentor must accompany each application. The Brown faculty mentor should speak to the feasibility and promise of the proposed project, the student’s ability to carry out the proposed work, and personal qualities in the applicant that he or she has been impressed by.

 

In addition, applicants may include a letter of support from the person who will serve as the primary contact for the applicant’s project in the country where the work will take place. This letter should address the feasibility of the project, its value to the field and/or organization, and the supervision and monitoring of the student’s work.

 

Letters should be submitted along with the application. If, however, this is not possible or if other arrangements have been made, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that her or his letter(s) of support are received by the deadline. Please note that letters of support should be requested ideally three weeks or more in advance, to allow faculty mentors maximum time for consultation and writing.

UNOFFICIAL UNIVERSITY TRANSCRIPT