Information about the Bishop Fellowship

Updated with information for 2008.

To: Juniors and Sophomores
Fr: Lauren Stolper, Director of Study Abroad <lstolper@caltech.edu>
Re: Bishop Summer Study Abroad Prize (Directions)

Application Deadline of February 15

Our efforts to expand study abroad opportunities have resulted in an exciting opportunity for summer study abroad.  The Bishop family has agreed to honor the memory of Dr. Amasa Bishop who graduated from Caltech with his B.S. in physics in 1943 by establishing the Amasa Bishop Summer Study Abroad prize.  Dr. Bishop served as Chief of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission's Controlled Thermonuclear Branch and went on to become the Atomic Energy's European Scientific representative.

Due to Dr. Bishop's understanding of the need for scientists and engineers to gain exposure to international issues and cultures, his family, has agreed to fund two prizes in the amount of $6,000 each for summer study abroad.

Application requirements:

1. Juniors and sophomores with a 2.8 and above GPA may apply.
2. Must be in good standing – no disciplinary problems.
3. U.S. citizens, permanent residents and international students may apply.  Note you cannot study in a country where you hold citizenship already. 

What is covered:

Round trip airfare and all tuition fees and living expenses as proposed in the student's budget request (see application procedures below) and up to $6,000.  Within this budget, applicants can request funds for travel in the country of their study program. Travel can be done before or after the study program.  A complete and detailed budget that breaks down the cost of the program into components such as tuition, fees, meals covered, additional meal costs, estimated round-trip travel, and books is required.  Note that Bishop funds cannot be used to pay elective personal costs such as phone charges or to purchase equipment such as cameras, travel guides, etc.

Program requirements

1. Students will select an established study abroad program that is at least six weeks in length and is a maximum of twelve weeks in length.  Some summer programs begin as early as late May, but there cannot be a conflict with the end of Caltech’s third term or the start of fall term.  Note that no independent study will be allowed.  Students must propose an established program. Information about hundreds of such programs is available in our office's library.  Note that students may not do internships that are equivalent to work experience.  Some programs offer an internship component that is more akin to a structured learning experience.  Work in for-profit organizations is never allowed.  Students who wish to apply to a program with an internship component should submit a complete hard copy description to the Office of Fellowships Advising and Study Abroad for review and approval before beginning the application.
2. The program may be in any country of the world including English-speaking countries.   However, students should not propose countries with which the U.S. does not have diplomatic relations or for which there are current State Department travel warnings or prohibitions.
3. The proposed program should include at least one course that is language or cultural study.  For example, if you wish to go to Britain, you should choose a program that teaches British history, architecture, literature, etc.  If you propose a non-English speaking country, your program should have at least one course studying the language.  This covers beginning through advanced.  NOTE THAT STUDENTS CANNOT PROPOSE COUNTRIES IN WHICH THEY HOLD CITIZENSHIP OR IN WHICH THEY WISH TO LIVE WITH RELATIVES.
4. The study program aside from the language/cultural requirements may have study in areas such as economics, public policy, environment, science or engineering, architecture or history.
5. The proposed program should provide a homestay or dormitory for participants.  You cannot make your own living arrangements or stay with a friend or relative.

Application Procedures

1.  An essay describing why the applicant is seeking this experience.  The applicant's goals should reflect the ideals of Dr. Bishop and reflect in some way his interests in the importance of global interaction and experience, the environment, and his love of science.  Students will also complete a basic information form available in our office. An article on Dr. Bishop is also available in our office.

Applicants should also describe their proposed program of study and what they hope to gain from the summer intellectually and personally. Applicants should comment on how the program will enhance or positively impact their academic and/or career goals.

2.  A separate information sheet (available in our office) must be completed as well.  This sheet asks the applicant to provide the name of the program, country and city of study, sponsoring organization/university, start and stop dates, fees, site of study, e.g., host university, type of living accommodations, etc.

NOTE WELL:  YOU MUST ALSO SUBMIT A COPY OF THE PROGRAM BROCHURE OR THE WEB PAGE PROVIDING INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM AND A GOOD DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THE PROGRAM ENTAILS. Books reviewing study abroad programs and travel are available in our office library.  Also you can use http://www.iiepassport.org to search for study abroad programs.

3.  A current transcript from Caltech and any other university at which the applicant has been a full time student must be submitted.

4.  Two letters of reference are required from Caltech faculty, lecturers, instructors or administrators.  Reference forms are available in my office.

5.  An itemized and detailed budget providing the cost of program tuition, approximate roundtrip airfare, between your home or Caltech and the place of study and the itinerary costs not covered in the program fee, and a travel budget with an itinerary for travel you wish to do before or after the program.  Remember that the total costs cannot exceed $6,000.  Also note you must breakdown the program cost into components such as meals, tuition, fees, excursions, etc.  If this information is not listed on the program’s web site then telephone them or email them to obtain it.

Additional Important Points for Bishop Applicants:

The Bishop Prize can only be used for classroom based or structured learning study abroad programs sponsored by bona fide universities, language schools, or non-profit education agencies such as the Institute for International Education. The Bishop must be your primary activity for at least six weeks. Do not try to “bite off more than you can chew” and try to combine the Bishop with research, volunteer work or other experiences. The Bishop is geared to provide you with a time to reflect and enjoy a summer experience. It is not designed to be part of a hectic, do everything summer.  Note that Bishop recipients may not hold or apply for other funds to support their Bishop experience.

Those who do not plan to travel after the completion of their program or before the program begins will only be awarded funds to cover costs during the study period. In other words, if a seven-week program costs $3500, inclusive of all costs (travel, meals, board, etc.), and a recipient does not plan to travel before or after the program, the student would only receive the $3500 not the full $6000. Those planning to travel must submit an itinerary and a budget with detailed associated costs.  Note that travel must be done in the country in which you choose to study.

Students may not use personal funds to contribute to program tuition costs.  Personal funds may be used to supplement or pay for travel and personal expenses.  Students may not combine the Bishop with funds from another grant or prize.

Also note:

1. The Bishop Award cannot be used to fund work, work oriented internships (see comments above in#1 of Program Requirements), research, self-designed study programs or volunteer work.
2. The Bishop Award cannot be held in conjunction with a Caltech SURF and you cannot simultaneously hold a Bishop Award and a SURF or other award funding summer study or travel, e.g., NSEP, Studenski, or research.
3. You must provide a complete description of the program giving requirements, programs description, costs and dates. Brochures or a web page printout is acceptable. If current information is not available, information from the previous summer with an estimate (obtained from the program organizers) should be submitted.
4. Bishop Prize holders are required to be in regular email contact (weekly) with the Study Abroad Office during the academic component of the prize.

The application deadline for all materials is February 15.  Turn all materials into our Fellowships Advising and Study Abroad, Room 319.