The Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Program (RBSI) is an annual, intensive five-week program held at Duke University. It is designed to introduce to the world of doctoral study in political science to undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups or, those interested in broadening participation in political science and pursuing scholarship on issues affecting underrepresented groups or issues of tribal sovereignty and governance. Participants in the RBSI are drawn from a competitive national applicant pool.

Named in honor of the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize winner, former APSA President, and the first African American to receive a PhD in political science, Dr. Ralph J. Bunche, the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute (RBSI) encourages students to pursue academic careers in political science. The RBSI does this by:

•     Enhancing writing, research, and analytical skills to increase competitiveness in the application and financial aid process for graduate school;
•     Developing statistical skills for data analysis used in political science;
•     Exposing participants to the significant questions in the discipline and profession of political science;  
•     Introducing participants to leading political scientists; and
•     Educating participants about political science career opportunities and encouraging their application to doctoral programs in political science.