Funding Opportunities

See the Watson School Undergraduate Student Opportunities page for additional resources.

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Funding Opportunities

See the Watson School Undergraduate Student Opportunities page for additional resources.

Funding Opportunities for Undergraduates

Funding provides opportunities for students to develop their research and writing skills outside of the classroom, opportunities that many students would otherwise not be able to pursue if it weren’t for the funds provided by generous donors. Students are challenged to apply their knowledge critically and think creatively about international issues through research projects, internships, and academic studies away from Brown.

Eligibility

  • You must be enrolled as an undergraduate student at Brown University at the time you apply and during the duration of your funded opportunity.
  • Travel/project must be completed prior to your graduation.
  • You must have a Brown faculty member be your recommender. 
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Students are required to write a brief post-award reflective summary describing how the support from the Watson School grant shaped their academic progress at Brown.
  • Students proposing research involving human subjects must follow the guidelines of the University's Regulatory Advisory Unit (RAU).

Payment

All student fellowship awards are paid via Brown University payroll. We encourage all students to enroll in direct deposit for the processing of the awards, if applicable. The payment will follow the Brown University bi-weekly payroll schedule. See the Controller's Office for those dates.

Available Grants

Funding Sources

Some International and Public Affairs and Watson Grants will be awarded using funds given in honor or memory of people associated with the Watson School or Brown University or who exemplify the spirit of Watson and Brown. Students whose grants draw from these funds will be informed of their funding source and will be asked to provide a reflective essay about their experience for the funder. Fund recipients may list the name of their grant on their resume.

The Michael Bhatia Fund for Peacekeeping and Conflict Studies was established in memory of Michael Vinay Bhatia '99, who died in May 2008 in Afghanistan, where he was working as a social scientist in consultation with the U.S. military. The Bhatia fund underwrites thesis or independent research for IAPA concentrators working on peacekeeping and conflict studies. It will be awarded to a student who, like Michael Bhatia ’99, hopes to deepen their understanding of a region or culture by traveling and studying there, with the goal of helping to promote cross-cultural understanding that might end or avert violence or military conflict. 

The Richard C. Barker Award provides financial support to IAPA undergraduates for thesis and independent research, internships, and conference participation.  

The Birkelund Fund provides financial support to Brown undergraduates for independent research and internships related to foreign policy and diplomacy.

The Kochon Fund provides financial support to Brown undergraduates for independent research and academic activities related to Korea.

The Jack Ringer Fellowship provides financial support to Brown undergraduates for thesis and independent research in Southeast Asia, through the generosity of Jack Ringer '52, who served in Burma after graduating from Brown. 

The Marla Ruzicka International Public Service Fellowship provides financial support to one Brown student doing international public service during the summer. The fund is named for Marla Ruzicka, whose compassion, determination, and selflessness in pursuit of international human rights, post-conflict rehabilitation, and international public service exemplify the values of the Watson School. A dedicated human rights activist, Marla Ruzicka arrived in Afghanistan shortly after the fall of the Taliban to record the effects of conflict on civilian communities. She lobbied diligently and effectively to seek compensation for those families whose homes had been destroyed in the Afghan conflict. From Afghanistan, Marla went to Iraq. She founded the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC), which was dedicated to assisting civilian victims of the conflict in Iraq. Marla's compassion and dedication touched all who met her, and her tragic death in April 2005 was deeply felt by those who had benefited from her selfless work. This fellowship has been made possible through the generosity of Lucinda B. Watson. 
 

Additional Sources of Funding