Student Research
At Bates you aren’t just taught what is known; you are given the tools to discover what isn’t yet known.
A distinctive characteristic of a Bates education is the emphasis on student research. At Bates every student is a scholar and research opportunities from across the curriculum extend learning beyond the classroom. Students immerse themselves in a research question tailoring their undergraduate experience as their interests evolve and deepen and they are mentored by Bates faculty who are leading scholars and artists in their field. Opportunities abound in faculty labs, field stations, studios, museums, archives, and in locations around the world.
Summer Research Opportunities
During the beautiful Maine summer, the Bates campus is home to 30 to 50 students engaged in full-time research with a faculty member. Another 20 to 30 Bates students conduct research with Bates funding, at remote locations around the country and the world.
“I really have enjoyed my ability to get out in the field at Bates. They do that really well — lab experience, field experience. You’re not just always in the classroom.”
-Amanda Power ’26
The Short Term
Short Term is a unique opportunity for coursework that cannot be offered in the fall and winter regular semesters. It is a four-week period in May in which students immerse themselves in one course, either on the Bates campus or travelling to global destinations.
Senior Thesis
A hallmark of the Bates curriculum is the senior thesis or capstone, which is offered by all departments and programs that offer a major, and is required for most majors. Thesis allows seniors to independently dive deeply into a topic guided by faculty mentors.
Presenting and Publishing
An exceptional opportunity for Bates students is attending national and international scholarly conferences and presenting their research. Many students collaborate with faculty and become co-authors on academic papers which are published in academic journals.
“This is just too cool to happen. And then, I was on a plane.”
– Hadley Blodgett ’26 on attending a research conference in
Greenland and presenting her thesis research
Support and Resources
- Barlow Thesis Research Grants support senior thesis research in the student’s study abroad country.
- Bouley Fund supports thesis research in field-based geologic mapping.
- Community-Engaged Research Grants support material costs related to promising research projects undertaken by Bates students in collaboration with local or statewide community partners.
- Hoffman Research Support Grants support students in all disciplines engaged in research, travel to a research site, research supplies, or other expenses related to research.
- INBRE Summer Fellowships for research and science education support research in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience with preference given to projects focused on functional genomics.
- Otis Fellowships provide major funding for a student who has designed an independent project that focuses on the relationship between individuals, societies, and the natural world.
- Phillips Fellowships provide major funding for an international or otherwise cross-cultural experience. Fellowships may focus on research, community engagement, the arts, or career exploration, or some combination.
- STEM Student-Faculty Research Grants support student research collaborators with Bates faculty mentors in the sciences and math.
- Summer Research Apprenticeships provide support for students in all disciplines working full time for 8-10 weeks as a research assistant for a faculty member.
- Summer Research Fellowships provide support of full-time research for 8 weeks in the summer.
- Technos International Week Fellowship provides complete support for two students to travel to Japan for two weeks in early June.
A Coastal Laboratory
Bates Morse Mountain and Shortridge Center
A spectacular 600+ acre conservation area comprised of varied woodlands, wetlands, and ponds leading to the Atlantic Ocean affords endless opportunities for research for Bates faculty and students.
The Shortridge Summer Residency
The Shortridge Coastal Center provides the opportunity for students, faculty and researchers to work in a unique coastal setting over the course of a summer. Students conduct field research; engage with state agents and community members regarding coastal change, sea level rise and public policy; serve as interns in local conservation organizations; and work as artists-in-residence.
