Political science concentrators at Brown have opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research projects. Our faculty-student research teams have won a number of Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards (UTRA) for work during the academic year and summer months.
Brown University's LINK Opportunity Program provides funding to help offset the costs of unpaid internships not affiliated with Brown University.
Below is information on research and funding opportunities at Brown:
Internships and Research Opportunities
Brown Programs
Brown Semester Internship Program
The Brown Semester Internship Program combines a 12-14 week internship experience with academic coursework for the fall or spring semester. Students have the opportunity to gain direct experience in a dynamic field, immerse themselves in a new culture and community, and collaborate with fellow Brown students in small cohorts.
Students can also opt to arrange their own internship in a location of their choosing in the Brown Semester Internship Program, Open Campus option.
Brown in Washington allows students to spend either the fall or spring semester living in Washington D.C. They experience a hands-on internship and apply theory to practice while preparing for their careers after graduation. Students enrolled in the program complete a part-time internship in any sector or field while remaining fully enrolled as Brown University students.
Important Resources
Part of President Paxson’s plan to increase student access to internships and research positions, BrownConnect allows students to search for real-world opportunities while still on campus. By bringing the Brown community together to support students, BrownConnect enables undergraduates to follow their own paths beyond the classroom.
National and International Fellowships at Brown
Fellowships at Brown supports all undergraduates in pursuing national and international fellowships and scholarship baed on their academic, professional, and extracurricular interests and goals.
Office of Global Engagement Programs
Brown University’s global programs offer Brown and visiting students opportunities for immersive experiences around the world and integration into diverse academic settings, while challenging students to gain new perspectives in an ever-changing world. Many students who participate in Brown’s global programs develop new academic interests, enhance their language and intercultural skills, and bring a renewed focus to their studies and their lives.
UFunds coordinates applications for funding from offices at Brown. You will find opportunities here for members of the Brown community, including undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty.
Undergraduate Research Funding
Brown sponsors a number of fellowship and grant programs that support undergraduate research during the summer or the academic year. Many of the awards are specifically designed to facilitate faculty-student research collaborations, including SPRINT Undergraduate Teaching and Research Awards, Research at Brown (RAB) Grants and the Royce Fellowships.
Specialized Opportunities
Taubman Center for American Politics and Public Policy Internship Opportunities
The Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy offers three internship opportunities for spring or summer terms with stipends ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.
Stone Inequality Initiative Funding Opportunities
The Stone Inequality Initiative invites undergraduate proposals for internships, research grants, collaboration with faculty or other student projects. The funds are available to students from any discipline. Work should be focused, broadly, on the issues surrounding great wealth in American society, on the American gilded age(s). Awards up to $5,000.
The Watson Summer Research, Internship, and Public Service Grants
This grant is available to all Brown students to fund independent research or unpaid summer internships connected with diplomacy, in Korea or Southeast Asia, or an unpaid summer international public service internship focusing on human rights or in post-conflict area. Summer experiences must be 8-10 weeks long. Award amounts are up to $5,000.
Marla Ruzicka International Public Service Fellowship
The Marla Ruzicka International Public Service Fellowship provides $4,000 to supports the summer plans of a Brown University student who displays the characteristics of compassion, determination, and selflessness in the pursuit of international human rights, post-conflict rehabilitation, or international public service. The application is in UFUNDS.
A permanent endowment administered by the Watson Institute, the KoChon fund is utilized for a wide variety of research and academic activities related to Korea. For undergraduates, the Institute accepts applications to advance student research interests on Korean topics, offering one to two awards per year, which include the option of pursuing field research in Korea. Open to all Brown Undergraduates. The application is in UFUNDS.
Jack Ringer Summer in Southeast Asia Fellowship
This fellowship is made possible through the generosity of Jack Ringer ’52, who served in Burma after graduating from Brown University. The award supports summer travel to Southeast Asia to conduct research or work in an internship. Awards are up to $4,000. Open to all Brown undergraduates. The application is in UFUNDS.
Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia Undergraduate Research and Internships
The purpose of undergraduate summer funding is to facilitate research for a senior thesis or to provide internship experience with an academic or civil society organization. Students are invited to propose work with any organization or indicate their interest in one of the Center’s partners by contacting our Center Manger. Students who are unsure of where they would like to intern or are interested in one of the initiative's partners are encouraged to discuss their interests with a faculty member as early as possible. Students who already have contacted an organization are required to attach a letter of interest from the organization. Details about the Center’s partners, such as Janaagraha (Bangalore) and Centre for Policy Research (Delhi), and PRADAN (various) can be found on our partners page.
Awards are up to $5,000 per project. Open to all Brown University sophomores and juniors. Apply in UFunds.
Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia Winter Research and Travel Funds
Subject to university guidelines regarding spending and travel, winter research and travel awards of up to $3,000 are available to graduate and undergraduate students of Brown University. Students from any discipline whose research develops knowledge about South Asia may apply. Apply in UFunds.