Supplementary Funding
Book Fund
The Department has funds available to Political Science graduate students who need to purchase books and other media for their courses, research, and milestone completion (qualifying exams, prospectus, etc) during the COVID-19 crisis. We ask that students first seek out the University Library’s online resources, and apply to purchase those materials that the University cannot provide.
Graduate Student Research Bridge Grant
The Department has limited funds available Political Science graduate students who encounter unexpected expenses during the course of their work. These funds are generally small ($200 - $500) and are intended to cover costs directly related to research activities. We have currently expanded the Bridge Grant to include expenses related to the transition to remote learning and teaching due to the COVID-19 crisis. At this time, we are not able to support costs related to meals or per diem.
Minar Memorial Summer Awards
The Department is pleased to offer the Minar Memorial Summer Award again this year!
The Department of Political Science is pleased to offer the Minar Summer Funding Award during the 2025-2026 academic year!
Please review the application carefully, and submit all relevant pieces no later than Friday April 17th.
- Your primary advisor (who may be your first-year advisor) must write a brief letter of support.
- We are open to all project ideas, as long as they have a clear academic purpose related to your research. Be as detailed as possible in your application materials.
- Awards can support travel, tuition, acquiring research materials, purchasing software, hiring research assistants, or other research services (surveys, transcription, etc.). Awards cannot support personal meals, incidentals, or lodging per diem costs.
- There are no limits on the dollar amount you can request. Request funds for your entire project, and we will offer you the best that we can, likely between $500-$1000.
- We will give preference to those who have a) never received a Minar Memorial Summer Award and b) are not receiving funds from any other source.
- Students who receive an Marvin and Carol Soroos Graduate Research and Travel Award are not eligible receive a Minar Memorial Summer Award in the same academic year.
- You may not be able to re-enter the application portal once you hit submit. Try to have all of your application materials together before you submit them. Any edits can be sent to Ivan.
- We expect to be able to notify you of your award no later than May 15.
- Grants are intended for use during the Summer Quarter with a deadline to reconcile expenses by December 31, 2026. Should you need to extend your award, you must request an extension by October 1, 2026; extensions will not be granted beyond March 31, 2027.
- If your original project is disrupted by global events and cannot be completed within the award timeline, you may submit a revised proposal.