Application Deadlines: Application deadlines are 15 September; 15 November; 15 February; and 15 April. Decisions will be made by the end of each application month.

Proposal Guidelines and Application

The Bates Learning Associates Program is an exciting opportunity that enables faculty in the humanities and social sciences to bring to Bates scholars, experts, and practitioners who provide a real-world context for ideas and learning. These experts offer additional stimulus and provide new dimensions in learning that are especially valuable for students proceeding toward their senior thesis or a capstone experience. A generous endowment from The Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation funds the learning associates program.

The program welcomes applications from individual faculty members, clusters of faculty, interdisciplinary teams, multiple departments, programs, and other groups. Collective or group proposals are encouraged, and, although they can incorporate a set of thematically linked speakers/activities, they do not need to; departments, programs, or groups can submit one application reflecting a varied set of speakers/activities.

The Faculty Scholarship Committee now reviews proposals and grants awards. That committee appreciates the need for long-range planning and invites applications for projects well in advance of implementation.  The Committee does not award retroactively. The honorarium award is guided by the actual number of hours that a particular LA is actively engaged with the class in person or via Zoom, advising students in small groups in person or via Zoom, or working with individual thesis writers in person or via Zoom.  We suggest the following: class visit ($300-$500/visit), thesis support ($150/hr up to 5 hours), campus talk ($500-$1,000). These are suggestions; if a particular Learning Associate has other fees please include a link to a publicist or professional web page with fee schedule if possible. The proposal should include a definite plan for how the LA will interact with students in and out of the classroom in person or via Zoom or present college-wide lectures or workshops in person or via Zoom. Along with the Probable Dates of Visit please include detailed information about contact time.  In an effort to become a resource for as many faculty as possible each academic year, the selection committee may adjust the proposal budget during the award process.

A brief, final report from the host faculty member is required within two weeks of the Learning Associate’s visit to campus. The report should describe the main teaching, mentoring, or performing accomplishments of the Learning Associate during their visit. Please send that report in a PDF form to akeegan@bates.edu. 

Address questions to Alison Keegan via e-mail (akeegan@bates.edu).