Named in honor of the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize winner and former APSA President, Ralph J. Bunche, the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute (RBSI) is a 5-week, academically intensive summer program designed to simulate the graduate school experience, provide mentoring, and expand academic opportunities for students from underrepresented groups such as African American, Latino/Latina, Native American, and Pacific Island students, and students who are interested in broadening participation in political science by students from underrepresented minority populations and pursuing scholarship on issues affecting underrepresented groups. The program provides an opportunity for undergraduates to develop their analytical, writing, and quantitative skills. The academic environment is challenging, yet supportive. Students learn what is necessary to be successful in a graduate program and a successful scholar.

The program has helped students excel and go on to graduate school, many with full fellowships and teaching assistantships. Several former Bunche students have earned Ph.D.s and hold university level teaching positions. Dozens are working on or have completed a master's degree. A number of RBSI students have also won prestigious fellowships including the National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship, the Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship, the APSA Minority Graduate Fellowship, and other awards and fellowships within individual institutions.

2008 Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Class Named
April 21, 2008 - The American Political Science Association is pleased to announce the class for the 2008 Ralph Bunche Summer Institute.  The Institute is in its 22nd year of operation and will be hosted by Duke University, under the direction of Dr. Paula McClain. Twenty outstanding students, representing a variety of undergraduate institutions from all over the country, will be participating in this summer's program.  Review the list >>

NSF Continues RBSI Funding for Three Years
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded the continuation of the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute (RBSI) for three years, 2006, 2007, and 2008. The Institute is designed to introduce the world of graduate study in political science to 20 students from underrepresented groups in science, (e.g. African Americans, Latino/as, American Indians, and Pacific Islanders), and those who are interested in broadening participation in political science by students from underrepresented minority populations and pursing scholarship on issues affecting underrepresented groups. The five-week program seeks to encourage and help students enter graduate school. The granting of this award ensures that the program will continue uninterrupted. The Ralph Bunche Summer Institute is sponsored by Duke University in cooperation with the American Political Science Association (APSA) and hosted by the Department of Political Science at Duke University. Dr. Paula D. McClain, Duke University, is the Director of the Program.

APSA Seeks RBSI Alumni!
APSA is creating a listserv and newsletter to keep alumni of the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute informed and in touch with their classmates. We hope this effort will enhance the unique mentoring and networking opportunities available among alumni. Please help us develop this by providing your input to a brief survey. Complete the survey.