Four scholarships are available to students enrolled in a degree program in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences. The department also makes awards from the BCHS Research Support Fund to provide financial assistance to students in the completion of their academic programs. The deadlines for the McAllister, Peterson, Ricci, and Silverman scholarships are October 1st and February 1st. The BCHS Research Support Award has a rolling deadline. Awards are dependent on available funding. Specific eligibility criteria for each award follows:
Carol L. McAllister Student Resource Fund: Available to BCHS students who demonstrate need, merit, a commitment to social justice, and a dedication to improving the lives of women and children. Awards will be made to support work that is qualitative, ethnographic, community-based, and participatory.
Karen S. Peterson Memorial Research Award for Women’s Health: Awarded to BCHS students demonstrating interest in research or practice leading to improvements in women’s health. Preference will be given to MPH students.
Joseph and Brigida Ricci Award Fund: This award is designated to assist in the recruitment and retention of BCHS students.
Silverman Scholarship Fund: Designated for a currently enrolled BCHS doctoral student, having an undergraduate degree in anthropology or in another social science discipline, who demonstrates merit, need and skills in qualitative and ethnographic research design. Preference will be given to students whose proposed dissertation reflects these skills.
BCHS Research Support Fund: These funds are available for BCHS masters and doctoral students to assist with the costs of conducting research toward the MPH, DrPH, or PhD degrees. MPH students must have formed their committees and obtained IRB approval in order to be eligible. Doctoral students must have passed their Overview and have IRB approval in order to be eligible.
All BCHS students are eligible to apply for the McAllister, Peterson and Ricci scholarships. The department uses limited funds to benefit the largest number of students. Students may apply for more than one scholarship, though preference is given to students who have not received a previous award. Funds may be used for research or practice activities or as otherwise directed by the specific award.