Many history majors go on to graduate study and independent research after graduation.

In order to facilitate post undergraduate study, Bates sponsors many grants and fellowships which offer assistance to students seeking to continue academic pursuits after Bates. The following is a list of Bates sponsored grants and fellowships which pertain specifically to history majors. Many of the grants and fellowships are very competitive and require thorough applications, and the Bates Graduate Fellowships Committee has been created to assist Bates students through the application process. For more information and assistance please contact Dr. Sagree Sengupta at mailto: ssengupt@bates.edu or (207) 753-6890. Many other fellowships and grants which are not Bates sponsored are available for Bates students, follow the link below for more information.

• Link to Graduate Grants and Fellowships homepage

Beinecke Brothers Memorial Scholarship – Program seeks to encourage and enable highly motivated students to pursue opportunities available to them and to be courageous in the selection of a graduate course of study in the arts, humanities or social sciences anywhere. Scholars are encouraged to begin graduate study as soon as possible following graduation from college, and must utilize all of the funding within five years of completion of undergraduate studies. (US citizens or US nationals). Apply in Junior year.

Ford Foundation (Predoctoral) Fellowship – Through its program of Diversity Fellowships, the Foundation seeks to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students. The awards will be made to individuals who have demonstrated superior academic achievement, are committed to a career in teaching and research at the college or university level, show promise of future achievement as scholars and teachers, and are well prepared to use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.

Fulbright Fellowship – Funds research/study/English teaching abroad for one year. Applicant’s specialization may be in any field suitable for country of application. Transportation, tuition, and stipend provided. Tenure possible in 140 countries, although all programs are not available everywhere. Language preparation a must for full research grants. Applicant must obtain affiliation document from institution or individual in country of application, except in the case of English Teaching Assistantships (Fulbright will place ETA’s). For US citizens personally suited to be cultural ambassadors; Bachelors degree received before grant begins.

Gates-Cambridge Fellowships – Provide expenses and stipends for graduate degrees in any field at Cambridge University, UK. The same form now serves as the fellowship and graduate program application. Applicants may be of any non-UK nationality and under the age of 30, with a 3.5 or higher GPA. Candidates must show evidence of high potential in chosen field and commitment to positive change in world.

Jacob Javits Fellowships – Provide financial assistance to students of superior ability, as demonstrated by their achievements and exceptional promise, for study at the doctoral or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) levels in selected fields of the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Students must also demonstrate (moderate, not extreme) financial need by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (US citizens or permanent residents.)

James Madison Memorial Fellowship – Tuition, fees and living expenses for potential and actual high school teachers who wish to pursue an American graduate degree in US history, political science, social science or government. Master of Arts in Teaching candidates should plan to concentrate their study on the U.S. Constitution. Applicant must have a future in high school teaching and be committed to civic responsibility and professional activities. (US citizens or US nationals.) At least one winner from each state. More applicants from Maine needed! Apply: http://www.jamesmadison.com/. Campus deadline: January 19, 2010. Mentor: TBA, contact Sagaree Sengupta.

Marshall Scholarships – Fund study at any university in the UK for 2-3 years, in any available course. (Only US citizens are eligible.) Awards are tenable within two years of BA/BS graduation. Ideal candidates are intellectual leaders and have shown potential in their field. Graduate goals must be consistent with preparation. Minimum 3.7 GPA and good rationale for study in the U. K. are necessary.

Mitchell Scholarships – Fund graduate study in Ireland or Northern Ireland for one year for US citizens. Requirements include intellectual distinction, active involvement, leadership, and record of serving others. Full-time students must seek an institutional nomination to compete, and all applicants must have a good rationale for study at chosen university. The Mitchell seeks applicants in all graduate programs of study at Irish institutions, not just in Irish Studies.

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship – Through this program the National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science, mathematics, engineering and the social sciences in the United States and to reinforce its diversity. The NSF-GRF provides tuition and $30,000 stipend yearly, funding three years of graduate work leading to a career related to research, teaching, and/or industrial applications. Eligible to apply are college seniors, first-year graduate students, and others who have completed a limited amount of graduate study in science, mathematics, or engineering. Women who intend to pursue graduate degrees in engineering or in computer and information science and engineering and who meet the eligibility requirements above can apply for the additional WENG or WICS awards. (US citizens, US nationals, permanent resident aliens.)

Rhodes Fellowships – Fund 2-3 years of study at Oxford for students who will work for the good of the world in the field of their choice, and have demonstrated potential in service and leadership. Intellectual distinction (i.e. applicants would be accepted in top graduate program in their fields at any U. S. institution) is a prerequisite. Applicants must be under the age of 25 when the award begins . GPA 3.75 or higher typically, US citizen or citizen from other eligible country. “The Rhodes Scholarships are investments in individuals rather than in project proposals.”

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans – For US citizen-immigrants or US citizen-children of immigrant parents. Geared towards individuals who retain loyalty to their country of origin, but who regard the United States as their principal residence and focus of national identity. Candidate must demonstrate the relevance of graduate education to their long-term career goals and potential in enhancing their contributions to society. Applicant must be a graduating senior, a graduate, or presently enrolled in first or second year of a graduate program. The application may be in any profession, scholarly or artistic field. Provides maintenance and ½ tuition of a US graduate program.

Harry S. Truman Scholarships – Provide $30,000 towards graduate/ professional school. Looking for students who will prepare for careers in government or public service. Candidates apply as Juniors—i.e. with one or two full semesters remaining at Bates after the semester in which the national application is submitted. Applicants should committed to careers in public service, and three years of latter (generously defined) are required after completion of graduate degree. US citizens or US nationals in upper third of class, with strong record of leadership and service. Applicants should contact S. Sengupta during Fall term.

Morris K. Udall Undergraduate Scholarships – Provide undergrad expenses up to $5000 for one year. Applicants will have career plans related to environmental issues OR be Native American/Native Alaskan students with career plans in healthcare or tribal public policy, and demonstrate commitment and promise related to those plans. Bates can nominate up to six students per year.

Thomas J. Watson Fellowship – Supports graduating seniors nominated by their college or university for independent study abroad in several foreign countries on a topic of special interest to the individual. The travel experience is envisioned as a break in which fellows may explore a particular interest, view their lives and American society in greater perspective and develop a more enlightened sense of international concern. It is not intended for fellows to engage in extended formal study at a foreign university.