We hope this news might put a spring in your step—
This spring, students can apply for funding from CXD to pursue in-person networking experiences that build clear connections to potential employers and can lead to internships or full-time roles. Ideal uses include attending a targeted professional conference or designing a short “networking trek” to visit companies and meet with alumni and other professionals.
- Award amount: Up to $1,000 per student
- Allowable expenses: Travel, lodging, conference registration, and meals (using the Federal per diem rate)
- Eligibility: All Bowdoin students are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to students who receive financial aid from Bowdoin and seniors who do not have a permanent opportunity secured.
- What qualifies:
- Conferences that include substantive employer engagement (career fairs, recruiter sessions, portfolio reviews, interviews, or hiring-focused networking)
- Self-designed “treks” that involve scheduled meetings with employers and/or alumni at target organizations and include concrete hiring or internship conversations
- Timeline:
- Apply by February 17th at 8am (for a planned experience between February 24, 2026 and May 31, 2026)
- Apply by March 17th at 8am (for a planned experience between March 24, 2026 and May 31, 2026)
- Apply by April 17th at 8am (for a planned experience between April 24, 2026 and August 30, 2026)
- Important Considerations:
- Funding for deadlines in March and April is subject to continued availability of funds.
- Summer experiences are for enrolled students only, cannot be combined with other Bowdoin summer funding, and does not qualify you for on-campus housing.
- Seniors must apply by the March 17th deadline to receive funding before graduation.
- Students may only receive funding once for the Spring 2026 semester.
Visit our resource page on Handshake for more information, conference ideas, and application instructions.