Page 8 - 2017 Annual Report

PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES

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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS

Achieving diversity and inclusion in political science is a priority for the American Political Science Association.
Recognizing the many differences, among them — demographic, substantive, intellectual, pedagogical, methodological,
and institutional — and leveraging this variation is critical not only to the success of individual political scientists but to
the strength and longevity of the disciplinary enterprise.

Minority Fellowship Program: The APSA Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) is a fellowship competition for
individuals from underrepresented backgrounds applying to or in the early stages of doctoral programs in political
science. The MFP was established in 1969 to increase the number of scholars from underrepresented backgrounds in
the discipline.

Ralph Bunche Summer Institute: The RBSI program, created in 1986, is designed to increase the number
of underrepresented students enrolling in and attending political science graduate programs. The RBSI program
encourages students to pursue academic careers in political science by enhancing writing, research, and analytical skills
to increase competitiveness in the application and financial aid process for graduate school.
Minority Student Recruitment Program: APSA established the Minority Student Recruitment Program (MSRP) to
advance diversity in political science. In collaboration with undergraduate and graduate political science departments, the
program identifies undergraduate students from under-represented backgrounds who show potential for or are interested
in doctoral study, and shares this recruitment information with APSA member graduate departments that enroll in the
program.

Mentoring Program: The APSA Mentoring Program connects undergraduate, graduate students, and junior faculty
from all backgrounds to experienced and senior members of the profession for professional development support on
academic and career topics.
Fund for Latino Scholarship: The Fund’s primary goal is to encourage and support the recruitment, retention, and
promotion of Latina/o political scientists (especially students and tenure track junior faculty); our secondary goal is to
support research on Latino politics in the United States.

Status Committees: APSA status committees focus on developing reports and projects, and promoting activities
concerning advancement through the pipeline and the professional development of scholars from underrepresented
groups within the political science discipline and across the profession.

8 AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION 2017 ANNUAL REPORT