Graduate Scholarships

This award, intended for undergraduate and graduate students of political science and environmental studies, was established in memory of Kenneth Dahlberg by his family and friends. A leading scholar in the fields of international relations and international environmental affairs, Professor Dahlberg served on the WMU faculty from 1966 until his retirement in 2001.

• This annual award is approximately $1,500.
• Students in the Political Science Department, the Climate Change Policy and Management Certificate Program, and the School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability are eligible to apply.
• Preference will be given to students studying sustainable agricultural or food systems, climate change related impacts to the environment, environmental or climate policy, or other related fields; and students with demonstrated financial need.
• Application is made through nomination by faculty or by self-nomination.

• Awarded annually for up to $500.
• The awardee shall be enrolled in good standing in the Ph.D. program and shall have achieved candidacy before the application deadline.
• The funds can go only to defray actual research costs and may not be used to cover living expenses or tuition.
• At the time of this submission, you must include a separate two-three page statement describing the research this grant will help fund and a budget for how the funds will be spent.

A scholarship established by the League of Women Voters of the Kalamazoo area in memory of Arden J. Elsasser, who gave faithful service to this organization and contributed significantly to the Kalamazoo community.

• This annual award is approximately $400.
• Graduate students may be nominated by faculty or self-nominated.
• Eligibility and Criteria

This award, intended for graduate students of political science, was established in memory of John R. Borsos by his family. An excellent student of political science, John R. Borsos received the M.A. degree posthumously.

• This annual award is approximately $2,000.
• Students enrolled in the political science graduate program in the fall semester are eligible.
• Application is made through nomination by faculty or by self-nomination.
• Eligibility and Criteria

This award, intended for graduate students of political science, was established in memory of Lawrence Ziring by his family. A renowned expert on Pakistan, Professor Ziring served on the WMU faculty from 1967 until his retirement in 2004.

• This annual award is approximately $1,000.
• Students enrolled in the political science graduate program in the fall semester are eligible. Preference will be given to students in the MIDA program; international students; and students with demonstrated financial need.
• Application is made through nomination by faculty or by self-nomination.
• Eligibility and Criteria

This prize in political theory honors William A. Ritchie who taught political theory and philosophy in the department from the 1960s until 2001.

• Awarded annually to an undergraduate or a graduate student who has written an excellent paper in the field.
• The political theory faculty in the department selects the recipient of the prize.
• Read about William A. Ritchie

Graduate students may apply for the George Klein Scholarship for Study Abroad in Central and East European Studies to conduct fieldwork. The late Dr. Klein was a longtime member of the faculty of the Department of Political Science and devoted his career to the study of the region.

• Application is open to graduate students in political science.
• Applicants must submit an estimated budget outlining their expenses at the time of submitting their application.
• Eligible countries of study: Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia
• Deadline for spring semester: Oct. 14
  Deadline for summer and fall semesters: March 1
• Eligibility and Criteria

Former Congressman Howard Wolpe endowed this fund to support study abroad or field research in Africa.

• Awarded annually for up to $1,000.
• Student will be engaged in the study of Africa or selected African nations.
• Political science graduate students who have demonstrated academic excellence are eligible.
• Students must submit an application in the academic year before they plan travel to Africa.
• Eligibility and Criteria