The Ruggles Scholars Program is overseen by the Student Research Committee

Application Deadline: March  1, 2010.

The Ruggles Scholars Program supports pre-thesis research in the humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary programs. The program was established through generous gifts from

Robert T. and Francine Pare Ruggles, parents of Anne Ruggles Pariser, M.D. '83.

The Ruggles Scholar is expected to work on a pre-thesis research project full time (approximately 40 hours per week) for eight to ten weeks during the summer. The research projects are usually undertaken under the direction of a Bates faculty advisor, however in some cases the summer work may be advised by a specialist from another institution, as long as the student's presumed thesis advisor has indicated support for the proposal.

The grant includes $3,500 taxable support.

The Ruggles Scholarship is available to members of the junior class only. Preference is given to students majoring and conducting research in the humanities, the social sciences, and the interdisciplinary programs. Two Ruggles Scholarships will be awarded.

Application Procedures

Students applying for a Ruggles Scholarship should complete an application form for STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS (available in the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, 121 Lane Hall or online at www.bates.edu/Prebuilt/General-Grant-Application2009.pdf ). On a separate sheet, the applicant should provide a one-paragraph abstract of the research project, and a description of not more than two additional pages describing the project in greater detail, including the research goals and methodology, the project timetable with begin and end dates (these dates are the basis for the payroll contract), and how the research relates to the student's academic program. Ruggles applicants must explain specifically how the research will enrich the senior thesis. The applicant should explain his or her qualifications to undertake the project, including relevant coursework or other research experience. A short list of bibliographic resources should be attached to the narrative. The application must be submitted to the Office of the Dean of the Faculty.

Letters of Support. The proposal must be accompanied by a letter of support from the project advisor, usually a Bates faculty member. If the summer project advisor is NOT a Bates faculty member, a letter of support is required from the off-campus advisor in addition to a letter of recommendation from a Bates faculty member. Letters of support are due the same day as the application deadline.

Financial Responsibility
If for any reason the recipient of the grant is unable to fulfill their project obligations as stated in their proposal, the student will be responsible to repay back the grant money awarded.  If the College has purchased airline tickets that the student does not use, the student is responsible to repay to the College for the price of the ticket.  If the project has been started, then the amount of payment back will be determined by Kerry O'Brien in the Dean of the Faculty's Office.

Proposals for the Ruggles Scholars Program are reviewed by the Student Research Committee, which bases its selection on the qualifications of the student, the feasibility of the project, and the demonstrated student initiative evidenced in the project design. PLEASE submit your ORIGINAL PAPERWORK AND 4 COPIES of the APPLICATION FORM AND 4 COPIES of the ENTIRE PROPOSAL for a TOTAL OF 5 COMPLETE PACKETS.

More Important Information

• All summer funding is contingent upon a student maintaining a GPA of at least 2.5.
• You can not use research grant funding to participate in a credit-earning summer academic program or receive academic credit for summer research.
• This is a research project that involves a full-time (up to 40 hours per week) commitment for eight to ten weeks; therefore you cannot earn additional funds at the College.
• Ruggles Scholar Grant recipients are expected to submit an abstract and a brief progress (two pages) report on their work to the Dean of the Faculty's Office within two weeks of finishing their project and to present their research during the Parents Weekend Poster Session unless they are studying off campus in the fall.

8/2009