GSAS Fellowships at a glance

Note: In general, GSAS students apply for the Fellowships below via the CARAT application system.

AT A GLANCE

Please do not hesitate to call, visit or email the NELC Department <nelc@fas.harvard.edu> for assistance.

Where do I find instructions on how to apply and detailed information? The GSAS Fellowship Office

 

NELC deadline Friday, November 9, 2018

NELC deadline Friday, November 9, 2018

NELC deadline Monday, January 21, 2019

NELC deadline Monday, January 21, 2019 

The GSAS is urging faculty "to make sure that our more advanced students consult closely with their dissertation advisors and make a careful assessment of completion readiness, doing so well in advance of the February deadline, perhaps in December or January.  At that time, students and advisors should also plan a strategy for having the required two chapter drafts ready by the February deadline.  The GSAS believe that if these preparatory steps are taken in a timely fashion, then requests for submission delay would become a rare occurrence, only used under exceptional and unexpected circumstances."

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FAQ

I know the GSAS deadline is later; why is the internal NELC deadline for some applications earlier?  A subcommittee of the NELC faculty evaluates and ranks some types of applications; I generally try to give that Committee about a week to 10 days to review and rank the applications, in order to make the published GSAS deadline for submission.

How do I submit my complete application or components of it? In general, you apply for all of the most common Fellowships via the CARAT application system.

What about letters of reference?

DCF: No reference letters are required for the DCF. For other applications, CARAT will prompt the referee to submit her/his letter electronically, if needed

What about transcripts?

DCF: No transcript is required for the DCF. For other applications, CARAT will interface with the FAS registrar to upload your Harvard transcript, if needed.


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Notes from previous fellowship applicants and winners:

•    There is money available out there; use your skills to find it. Also, you may need to be willing to expand the definition of your research project in order to be eligible for a wider variety of awards.

•    Use the resources of the GSAS fellowship office, especially Cynthia Verba. She knows a lot and is generous with her time. Talk to others in NELC who have received awards, and look at their topics. (There is a list of fellowships awarded at the GSAS fellowships site.)

•    You’ll likely find yourself spending at least some time applying for fellowships each year, so plan for that.

•    Take the time to craft a clear description of your work. Versions of this description will be useful all through your academic career, for fellowship applications; applying for TF positions; writing grant proposals; applying for jobs; answering calls for papers at symposia; and on and on. Consider creating research descriptions of several different lengths, for different needs.

•    It’s not uncommon to think of fellowships as something you do instead of teaching – fellowships pay you and free up time for research.

•    Beware of year 5. Some may consider becoming a travelling scholar, or taking a leave. There are scenarios where you won’t have to pay tuition, but check to be sure you will still have access to libraries and other resources you’ll need to make progress on your dissertation.

•    Save the GSAS “standard” DCF for the end of your dissertation process. It is guaranteed up to the G-7 year, but you can only get it once.

•    Ask for reference letters early; meet the deadlines.

•    Pay attention to the vocabulary in the applications.