The Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Program (RBSI) is an annual, intensive five-week program held at Duke University. The program is designed to introduce aspiring political scientists to the world of doctoral study. The program is open to students from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds or those interested in broadening participation in political science and pursuing scholarship on issues affecting underrepresented groups or issues of tribal sovereignty and governance.

Applications for the 2023 Institute are now closed.

Scholars will be announced in Spring 2023.

• Applicants must be a member of one of the following underrepresented racial or ethnic minority groups: African Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Latinos/as, American Indians or Alaska natives, and Native Hawaiians, or an individual who is interested in broadening participation in political science by students from underrepresented minority populations and pursuing scholarship on issues affecting underrepresented groups or issues of tribal sovereignty and governance.
• Applicants must be college/university juniors.
• Applicants must demonstrate an interest in teaching and potential for research in political science.
• Applicants must be a US citizen, US national, US permanent resident (holder of a permanent resident card), or an individual granted deferred action status under the deferred action for childhood arrivals program (DACA) at time of application.  

Vaccination Requirements

RBSI attendees are registered as Duke University students and are subject to vaccination requirements on campus. Duke University students are required to be vaccinated and currently undergo weekly surveillance testing. Any exemptions to the vaccine requirement must be approved through Duke University. Learn more about Duke University vaccines and exemptions.

Applying for the Institute

To apply, create an APSA profile and submit an online application. All application materials (transcripts and letters of recommendation) must be submitted through the online application portal to be reviewed by the selection committee. You may submit unofficial transcripts or degree audits in lieu of official transcripts for the purposes of application.