Established to memorialize long-time Seattle labor lawyer Samuel B. Bassett, this scholarship awards $5,500 to an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a career in labor relations.

Samuel Bassett (1896-1971) was a Seattle plaintiffs lawyer who practiced with George Vandeveer from 1924-1942 and represented the Industrial Workers of the World, the Joint Council of Teamsters, No. 28 and other Teamster locals, as well as many civil rights and civil liberties cases.

The scholarship is awarded yearly to either undergraduate or graduate students at any of the University of Washington's three campuses (Seattle, Tacoma, or Bothell). Scholarship winners must demonstrate high academic achievement and be enrolled for Autumn Quarter of the upcoming academic year.

If you have applied to the University of Washington but have not yet received notice from the Admissions Office, you are eligible for the scholarship. However, the award will be contingent on your admittance to the UW.

• freshman
• sophomore
• junior
• senior
• graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• International or Other Visa Status
• Undocumented

To apply, a student should prepare the following materials:

1. Essay responses. Please prepare written answers to the following questions. We recommend compiling answers into a separate document before entering them into the on-line application. This will ensure your responses are saved on multiple platforms, as answers entered in the on-line application are not saved until they are submitted.

   • Tell us about any social justice, labor, or diversity issues that have impacted you personally. How have you worked to address these issues? Please limit your response to 400 words or less.

   • Describe aspects of your background/identity that exemplify your commitment to social justice, labor, and diversity (Your response may draw upon your answer to the question above). Discuss any personal obstacles or disadvantages you have encountered. If relevant, highlight issues related to waterfront industries or organized labor. Please limit your response to 400 words or less.

   • How will funding from the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies support the goals you have for your education at the University of Washington? How do you plan to engage with the labor movement during your studies here? How will funding prepare you for what you want to accomplish upon completion of your degree? Again, if relevant, highlight issues relevant to waterfront industries or organized labor. Please limit your response to 400 words or less.

   • Include a statement explaining your intention to pursue a career in labor relations. Please limit statement to 400 words or less.

2. A brief letter of support from a teacher or community member.

3. A highschool or college transcript (which ever is most recent). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

4. Up to date contact information, including e-mail, mailing addresses, and phone number.

5. Optional: Additional documents demonstrating your commitment to labor or Labor Studies, such as a resume or curriculum vitae, may also be submitted.

The online application for all Labor Studies scholarships and fellowships for the 2021-2022 academic year opens in Winter Quarter. A link to the on-line application portal will be posted on the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies website. By submitting the on-line application, you will be considered for all Labor Studies awards you qualify for. 

Questions about the application or scholarship terms? Call (206) 543-7946 or e-mail hbcls@uw.edu.