The Society for Political Methodology, with the support of the National Science Foundation, announces a new undergraduate initiative designed to diversify the field of political methodology by increasing the number of underrepresented students who intend to pursue an academic career in political methodology.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, a cohort of 8 students will be invited to attend the first summer session of the ICPSR Summer Program from June 22-July 17 and develop their methodological skills by taking a full set of courses (at least two). Since 1963, the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) has offered the ICPSR Summer Program in Quantitative Methods of Social Research. Sometimes called “summer camp for social sciences,” the ICPSR  provides rigorous, hands-on training in statistical techniques, research methodologies, and data analysis. ICPSR Summer Program courses emphasize the integration of methodological strategies with the theoretical and practical concerns that arise in research on substantive issues. Participants in each year's Summer Program generally represent about 30 different disciplines from more than 350 colleges, universities, and organizations around the world. Because of the premier quality of instruction and unparalleled opportunities for networking, the ICPSR Summer Program is internationally recognized as the leader for training in research methodologies and technologies used across the social, behavioral, and medical sciences.

This year, the ICPSR will run as an online program. Scholarship recipients will take courses online as well as join a Slack channel organized by the Society of Political Methodology to receive regular mentorship and build community.

Our hope is that by studying together, this  cohort of students will build a micro-community of excitement and enthusiasm about political methodology while also supporting each other.

The Society of Political Methodology will continue to mentor and support all students who, at the end of their ICPSR experience, wish to apply to graduate school in, or with an emphasis on, political methodology, including providing up to $4,000 to conduct political science mentored research.

Interested students should complete this application form (below) and ask a faculty member to send one letter of recommendation to Professor Betsy Sinclair at bsinclai@wustl.edu.  Preference will be given to those who will graduate in May of 2021 or later. The initiative will cover the costs of Summer Program ICPSR tuition.

The deadline for applications is April 23rd, 2020, and participants should expect to be informed of their selection shortly thereafter. Only students who are currently enrolled in a US-based institution are eligible to apply.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Do I have to be a political science major or completely committed to going to grad school/specializing in political methodology to apply?

The aim of the program is to diversify the subfield of political methodology, so we are particularly enthusiastic about students for whom this is either likely to be a focus or are at least open to that being a focus. There is no requirement for being a political science major, and we expect that students to use this program as a point of evaluation as they decide if graduate school is a good fit for them.

2. Are there other specific qualifications I need to apply? (eg. classes taken, familiarization with specific software…)

The sole requirement is a potential interest in graduate school in political methodology. That can be demonstrated in a variety of ways -- via statement of interest, via courses taken, via letters of recommendation. We do not expect applicants to have any specific prerequisites.

3. Where can I access the application form?

The link is here (and can be accessed below): https://forms.gle/UPFDwx3AQWhuMFrG6

4. Is there a preferred format for faculty recommendations?

.pdf, otherwise, a normal faculty recommendation is acceptable. You may want to share with the faculty member a description of the scholarship program and a bit about ICPSR.