Student applications are open for Maine Policy Scholars

Are you a UMS student with an interest in public policy? The Maine Policy Scholars program may be for you.

In this scholarship program students carry out independent policy research, participate in colloquia, and present their research ideas and findings. Each student chooses a public policy topic and works with a faculty advisor and a community mentor. Topics can be of local or statewide significance, should be well-defined, subject to research, and of real concern to Maine or a segment of its people. Previous topics have included addiction prevention, wind power, energy efficiency, school nutrition, proficiency-based learning, civic education, and natural resource management. After conducting research – which can be from the literature, data analysis, or interviews (or all three) – the scholar produces a final report and presentation which outlines the problem, the data and recommended policy solutions.

Students receive a scholarship of $1500 with an additional $1000 for research expenses. Applications are due in October. The program runs January to November 2021 and accepts one student from each UMS campus. If you are interested in applying please contact margaret.mckee@maine.edu for the advisor on your campus.

The scholarship is open to UMS students with sophomore or junior standing as of January 2021. All majors are eligible. The Maine Policy Scholars program is a collaboration between the Policy Center and the Maine Community Foundation.