Summer in the Field Fellowship

The Boston University Global Development Policy (GDP) Center Summer in the Field Fellowship Program provides stipends of $6,000-$8,000 to a select group of qualified Boston University Masters and/or PhD students to participate in unpaid internships or to conduct field research for a dissertation project. The program enables students to take advantage of unpaid internship opportunities or field research that would otherwise have been financially unfeasible. Students are responsible for identifying and securing internship positions and the focus of the internship must be related to GDP Center’s mission of advancing policy-oriented research for financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability across the globe. Applicants undergo a competitive selection process and only a limited number of stipends are available.

Application requirements:

• Applicants must be Boston University Masters or PhD candidates with strong academic records and returning to classes in Fall 2023.
• Applicants must obtain a letter of recommendation from a GDP Center Core or Affiliate Faculty Member (flexible to be submitted after the application deadline).
• The internship must be related to the mission of the GDP Center.
• The internship must take place during the summer of 2023.
• The internship must be unpaid (not including the stipend from the Center).
• International students are subject to ISSO regulations and/or approval.

Stipend amount and process:

Stipend amounts will range from $6,000-$8,000, depending on circumstances, such as travel distances. The stipend will be paid in three monthly installments. Stipend recipients participating in internships must provide contact information for their immediate supervisor for internship verification. Summer in the Field Fellows are required to write a blog about their experiences for the GDP Center Blog upon completing their fellowships. All Summer in the Field Fellows are invited to an event to share their experiences with prospective applicants.

Application process:

Using the application form below, applicants must submit an unofficial copy of their transcript, a letter of recommendation from a GDP Center Core or Affiliate Faculty Member, a statement of purpose and, if applying for an internship, a copy of the offer letter or email which details the hours of the internship and that it is unpaid. For PhD students, the letter of recommendation should come from a committee member and outline how the field work support will be beneficial.

Applications close March 24, 2023.

Previous Summer in the Field Fellows (2018-2022):