Opportunity
Watson Summer Independent Research and Internship Grants provide financial support for undergraduates pursuing summer independent research or unpaid internships related to the field of international and public affairs. Priority will be given to current IAPA concentrators and to students in semester 05 or beyond, but students from all undergraduate concentrations are eligible to apply.
Summer internship experiences must be 8-10 weeks long.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
For academic year 2026-27
- March 30, 2027 - Round I
- April 17, 2027 - Round II (for internship awards only)
AWARD AMOUNTS
- Up to $4,000
ELIGIBILITY
- Undergraduate students in good academic standing who are returning to Brown the following fall.
- Priority given to students with an approved ASK declaration in International and Public Affairs.
- Priority given to students in semester 05 or above.
- Not available to graduating seniors.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Proposal: A 1-3-page proposal for independent research or description of the internship, including the title and description of the work to be done and an explanation for how this research or internship complements your intellectual work and interest in the field of international and public affairs.
- Travel Plans: If you are traveling, include an itinerary and description of what you will do in each location.
- Budget: For summer research, provide a specific budget, including airline flight costs, hotel, estimated daily food and transportation, and specific additional expenses. You do not have to provide a specific budget for internship living expenses. The internship must be at least 8-10 weeks in duration.
- Transcript: Unofficial internal transcript is acceptable.
- Resume
- Internship Statement: For an internship, include a supervisor statement or offer letter
- Faculty Recommendation: For independent research, 1 letter of recommendation from your faculty supervisor to be submitted via UFUNDs.
- Students receiving an award must:
- Reply with confirmation that they accept the award
- Apply for and receive permission to proceed from Brown’s IRB before conducting research involving human subjects
- If traveling abroad, register with Global TravelSafe
POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS
- Students receiving awards drawing from named funds will be required to submit a 1–2-page reflective essay
- If the student is unable to travel, attend the program, complete the internship, or conduct research after the award has been distributed, they will be required to return the award money in full
- If the original project was modified, an updated budget and travel expense accounting is required. Money not accounted for in the modified budget must be returned.
Post-Award Report Due Dates:
September 30 for Summer Term
CONTACT: For more information email iapa@brown.edu.
Apply in UFUNDs