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The George W. Bush Institute Research Fellowships

The George W. Bush Presidential ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ engages communities in the United States and around the world by developing leaders, advancing policy, and taking action to solve today’s most pressing challenges. The Niemi ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ works with The Bush Institute to develop student research projects in all six of their major initiatives.

• Economic Growth - Focuses on advocating free market policies to strengthen economic integration between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in North America.
• Education Reform - Work to increase student achievement and quality schools for every child through efforts focused on accountability, principal leadership, and middle schools’ transformation.
• Global Health - Spotlights critical issues, brings organizations, businesses, and government agencies together, and works to make existing health systems function efficiently.
• Human Freedom – Works with freedom advocates to provide research on networking, education, and other opportunities in order to support the spread of freedom throughout the world.
• Military Service Initiative - Honors the service and sacrifice of post-9/11 veterans and military families by bridging the civilian-military divide and fostering a successful transition and reintegration from military service to civilian life. This includes the Invisible Wounds of War.
• Women’s Initiative - Designed to enhance the leadership skills of women around the world with an initial focus on women in the Middle East and North Africa. The First Ladies Initiative, a subset of the Women’s Initiative, engages and supports First Ladies from around the world to effectively use their unique platforms to advance education, good health and economic opportunity for women and children worldwide.

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Research Fellowships

The Niemi ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ works with ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Faculty, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½s, and Institutes to develop impactful student research projects to advance ongoing research.

What Do Our Fellows Have To Say?

Hear from a former research fellow, Matt Berkau, about his research project with the Military Service Initiative at The Bush Institute and how it impacted his life.

Christopher Lu: Bush Institute Military Service Initiative (MSI)

I have had the opportunity to take part in MSI’s wellness initiative, through which we are addressing the Invisible Wounds of War. I have been helping the MSI team to develop two documents: a fact sheet on post-traumatic stress (PTS) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and a Call to Action to foster opportunities for everyone to recognize the issues facing injured warriors, connect them to care, and deliver high quality care. Both of these were used to inform attendees and viewers of the Invictus Games Symposium on May 8, 2016.

Taking part in the Niemi Fellowship has been very interesting and challenging. I have enjoyed every day that I’ve been able to say that I get to go to work at the Bush Institute.

Meghann Bridgeman: Bush Institute Women’s Initiative

I had the opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of the Women’s Initiative Fellowship Program, which works to educate and empower women in the Middle East and North Africa. My work was rich and meaningful, ultimately exposing me to the many challenges that the Bush Institute faces when taking on such ambitious international work.

The fellowship culminated in a presentation of the things I had discovered in my data analysis that led to the discussion of possible tactics and solutions moving forward. It was wonderful to take part in that discussion and have exposure to the expertise of the Bush Institute staff members around the table.

What Is The Application Process?

Most fellowships start at the beginning of each semester; however, fellowship positions are posted as they come available and may start mid-semester. Typically, first year graduate students must wait until their second semester to apply for the fellowships. Undergraduates must wait until their Sophomore year to apply. You must be enrolled as a student to be eligible for the positions.

Apply Now

Please email your completed application and resume to niemicenter@smu.edu. Your information will be considered for the fellowships you are interested in and where you meet the minimum qualifications.

For further information, please contact the Niemi ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ at 214-768-4125 or niemicenter@smu.edu.

**** Do NOT contact the Bush Institute directly. In order to be considered, applications MUST be sent to the Niemi ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. ***