2015 Application Instructions Please carefully review the eligibility requirements in the program announcement prior to proceeding with your application. Schedule and Deadlines November 14, 2014: Application submission deadline is 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Application must include essential elements listed below in boldface. Important: Check the Data Review Page in the on-line system frequently for receipt of supporting materials submitted by third parties. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated. The Dissertation Fellowship is meant to support an individual during the final year of writing and defense of the dissertation. If you have recently advanced to candidacy, you may not be competitive in this program. If you need assistance completing your application, consult the help screens that are provided throughout the application. Links located on the left hand navigation bar provide information concerning specific items. See the Instructions link, the Suggestions link and the Help links provided on most pages of the fellowship application. January 9, 2015: Deadline for uploading academic transcripts, letters of recommendation and the Verification of Doctoral Status form by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on this date. Essential supplementary items are shown in boldface in this document. Early April 2015: Notification of competition results provided to all fellowship applicants. If you have questions about the fellowship, the eligibility guidelines, or the application process, contact: Fellowships Office / Keck 576 National Research Council of the National Academies 500 Fifth Street NW Washington, DC 20001 Email: infofell@nas.edu Phone: 202.334.2872 Fax: 202.334.3419
General Guidelines: Provide all information requested on application forms. Failure to do so may affect your eligibility and delay the processing of your application. Specific instructions appear in the help pages provided. Refer also to the Suggestions from Reviewers. Proofread all texts carefully. The online application will automatically insert your name and the page number, so do not include headers and footers in uploaded texts. Headers, footers, and other special formatting may interfere with document processing and the final appearance of your text. Adhere strictly to stated page limits. Double-space all essays using one of the following standard fonts in 12pt. or larger: Times New Roman or Arial (Windows), Helvetica (Mac), or Geneva (Mac). The system will not allow you to upload documents that exceed the maximum allowable page limits specified for the individual essay. All application documents and supporting materials including academic transcripts must be saved in.pdf file format prior to attempting upload to the fellowship application. There is a 4MB file size limit for all document uploads. Save your academic transcripts in a reduced file size.pdf. Save each essay or list as a separate document in a reduced file.pdf format before upload. All application materials must be submitted in English. Application materials become the property and will not be returned. Retain copies of all submitted application materials for your personal records. Audience: Application reviewers are comprised of college professors and researchers in your broad field of study. Reviewers may have to read applications outside their area of specialization. Avoid technical jargon. Most award recipients submit carefully prepared applications. Most have consulted with their advisers and mentors prior to submitting their applications. Competitive applications are consistent in content and appearance, and the goals stated within are in alignment with the goals and objectives of the fellowship program. Online Application Deadline November 14, 2014 The following materials are to be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 14, 2014. Items listed in boldface are required: Personal information, contact information, educational background (names of all post-secondary institutions attended, years attended, degrees received),
Names and contact information of four professors who will upload a letter of reference on your behalf). Four letters of recommendation are highly recommended; however a minimum of three letters must be received by the January 9, 2015 supporting materials deadline for a fellowship application to be included in the review. One reference should be from your dissertation adviser. List of Scholarly Productivity, Publications and Presentations: Prepare a file that lists all Presentations, Publications and Posters for the last five years. List items in three sections in the following order: Presentations in reverse chronological order Publications in reverse chronological order Posters in reverse chronological order (poster presentations should be indicated with (poster) in the entry. Essay Uploads Double-space each document using one of the following standard fonts in 12pt. or larger: Times New Roman or Arial (Windows), Helvetica (Mac), or Geneva (Mac). Save the file in PDF (.pdf) before upload. Please comply with the individual page limitations described for each document upload. Statement of Previous Research (two-page limit, double spaced), Abstract of Dissertation (one-page limit, double spaced), Personal Statement (two-page limit, double spaced), Proposed Plan for Completion of Dissertation including long-range career goals (three-page limit, double spaced), and Annotated bibliography (one-page limit, double spaced). Supplementary materials STRICTLY ENFORCED DEADLINE- January 9, 2015 Academic Transcripts 1 All applicants must submit undergraduate and graduate transcripts in order to be included in the review. Save all transcript documents as a reduced file size.pdf (less than 4MB) before attempting upload to the fellowship application. All transcripts must be uploaded before 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on January 9, 2015. Official transcript from institution that awarded baccalaureate degree; must include grades and degree completion date (if applicable), 1 Unofficial transcripts or grade reports are acceptable for the review; however, if offered a fellowship award, applicants will be required to submit official transcripts to verify the accuracy of the uploaded transcripts or grade reports. All transcript documents must be saved in reduced.pdf file format (4MB file size limit) prior to upload. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure transcript legibility and degree attainment dates after document upload.
Official graduate transcript(s) including those showing completion of any Master s degree (if applicable) and official Ph.D. or Sc.D. transcript showing all graduate work completed as of fall 2014, Letters of reference (All letters must be submitted electronically. Inclusion of four letters of recommendation in the application file is highly recommended; however, applications with less than the minimum of THREE letters submitted WILL NOT be reviewed; THIS MINIMUM WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED), Verification of Doctoral Degree Candidacy Form Form must be signed by the adviser or another authorized university official verifying that the applicant has completed all requirements for a Ph.D. or Sc.D. degree except for the writing and defense of the dissertation. Only the official National Academies form may be used. Print out and give this form to your dissertation adviser or another authorized official at your institution to complete and sign. In order to compete, applicants must have successfully achieved doctoral degree candidacy as defined by this program: applicants must have completed all departmental and institutional requirements for their degree, except for the writing and defense of the dissertation. These requirements include, for example, required course work, language requirements, admission to doctoral candidacy and approval of the dissertation proposal. Your application will be ineligible unless a signed and valid copy of this form is uploaded to the fellowship application before 5:00 PM on January 9, 2015. Reference Information It is highly recommended that FOUR letters of reference be submitted in support of the fellowship application. Applications with less than the minimum of THREE letters WILL NOT be reviewed; THIS MINIMUM WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. One of the four reference writers asked to submit a letter on your behalf should be your adviser. All others should be able to comment on your proposed plan for completing your dissertation. We will not accept student reference statements on file at colleges and universities in lieu of an individual letter that addresses your application for a dissertation fellowship. Provide the name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number for each faculty member or researcher who will submit a letter on your behalf. Reference writers should be faculty members in your field who are acquainted with your intellectual ability and your long-range professional goals. Supply reference writers with your Proposed Plan for Completing the Dissertation. You may also wish to supply them with a copy of your Annotated Bibliography. S When you use the on-line system to notify each reference writer, a message will be sent directly to him/her with instructions for uploading a letter of reference electronically. Letters must be uploaded using our system by January 9, 2015. Check the Data Review Page in the on-line system frequently to review the completeness of your application.
Application Essays Prepare an individual file for each essay upload requested for the application. Use one of the described 12-point or larger standard fonts and observe the individual page limitations. All files must be saved in.pdf file format before upload. If the Fellowships Office identifies plagiarism in any of the submitted application materials, the application will be withdrawn from the competition. Description of Proposed Plan for Completion of Dissertation, Timeline and Description of Long-Range Career Plans Prepare a three-page maximum document, double-spaced, indicating the work you expect to undertake if awarded a fellowship: Use a clear methodological description. Specifically state your hypothesis and theoretical framework of your study. Indicate the kinds of data or sources you expect to use. If applicable, provide information on sampling, instrumentation, data sources and collection, analyses, and expected results. Clearly state preliminary findings. If your proposed site is different from the institution where you are earning your degree, explain why your proposed research/writing site is especially suited to your field of study and for pursuing the work you have described in your Proposed Plan. When citing publications, use a standard bibliographic format appropriate to your field. While limited citations in your proposal are encouraged, please be advised that they will be included in the total page limitations. Present a time line for completion of your dissertation. Due to time constraints, revisions are not possible. Be careful to check your essays thoroughly before submitting them. Applicants may wish to ask their dissertation adviser or a professor in their discipline to review the proposed plan, especially for substance, clarity, and organization, prior to submission. Double space text and use a legible font, 12- point or larger. Save the file in.pdf file format. The on-line system will not permit you to upload text in excess of the stated page limitation of approximately three pages double-spaced.
Personal Statement Prepare a personal statement (not to exceed two pages, double-spaced) that: 1. describes your personal background, experience, and commitment to the goals of the Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships Program. Refer to all appropriate criteria for selection mentioned in the program 2. describes past and ongoing community service efforts, such as: tutoring and mentoring students in challenging environments, participation in housing or public service projects, leadership and organizational skills that benefit a larger community. Activities described might include campus-based student activities, language teaching, or involvement in professional organizations that serve the community. Note anything in your background that speaks to your unique perspective: member of a group designated by the Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships Program as currently underrepresented in the American professoriate, member of another underserved group, first person or generation in family to achieve college degree or seek advanced degree Make reference to teaching methods and academic interests that are inclusive and sensitive to diversity. Cite any success that can be attributed to using new techniques to create an inclusive and respectful teaching and learning environment. Describe personal goals, both long-standing and future-focused, that involve increasing understanding in the college or university setting and in the broader context. You might mention employment that demonstrates a longstanding commitment to diversity and depth of understanding of a multi-cultural society. Efforts to improve access and opportunity for all, particularly in one s local community (neighborhood, place of worship, geographic region) may also be included. Double-space all essays using one of the following standard fonts in 12pt. or larger: Times New Roman or Arial (Windows), Helvetica (Mac), or Geneva (Mac). Save the file in.pdf file format before upload. The web-based application system will not permit you to upload a document which exceeds the stated maximum of two pages doublespaced.
Statement of Previous Research Experience: Prepare a file that outlines any previous research you have undertaken. Review panelists consider this essay to be particularly important. If you have not carried out formal research, describe any activities that you believe have prepared you to begin research. Describe any research in which you have participated. You may have undertaken research as part of your coursework or outside of class in an internship or summer research program. If you are currently engaged in research, explain the methods used and the expected results of your work. Double-space all essays using one of the following standard fonts in 12pt. or larger: Times New Roman or Arial (Windows), Helvetica (Mac), or Geneva (Mac). Save the file in.pdf file format before upload. The web-based application system will not permit you to upload a document which exceeds the stated maximum of two pages doublespaced. Abstract of Dissertation: Prepare a one to two paragraph abstract of your dissertation proposal (not to exceed one page, double-spaced.) Annotated Bibliography: Provide an annotated bibliography (two to three sentences each for no more than ten key sources related to your research; include both primary and secondary sources).