Doctoral Student Fellowship

About the Doctoral Student Fellowship

Center CIRCL Doctoral Student Fellows are full time students enrolled in a PhD program at New York University Washington Square Campus, with at least two years remaining in their studies. This is not a dissertation fellowship, but it is possible for Doctoral Fellows to be working on finishing their dissertation while being part of this program. There will be up to 2 Doctoral Fellows selected. Doctoral Fellows will receive $10,000 in a research stipend in AY26, and $5,000 in a research stipend in AY27.

This is a competitive Fellowship Program and we will receive more applications from eligible candidates than we can appoint. Applicants will not receive feedback or a rationale from the committee if they are not selected. 

Part 1: Project Overview

Within the application portal, you will be asked to provide the following:

• Title of proposed project

• Project key words

• Provide a 3-4 sentence project abstract

Part 2: Applicant Questionnaire

Within the application portal, you will be asked to complete the following applicant questionnaire: 

1. In the first year of the project, Fellows meet regularly to form a community of support as Fellows work on independent projects. In year two, Fellows bring those projects to the public, either through workshops, performances, installations, walking tours, readings, or other events. What will be the public-facing aspect to share the work of your project in year two?

2. This fellowship is both for scholars who firmly locate their work in the field of Indigenous Studies, and for those who are starting to think of their work in relation to Indigenous Studies. How does your broader work engage in the field of Indigenous Studies? If you are just beginning to engage in Indigenous Studies, what brings you to the field, and how do you think about your responsibilities as a newcomer to the field? 

3. This fellowship is both for Indigenous scholars, and for non-Indigenous scholars who are working in ethical relation to Indigenous communities. Tell us about your connections to Indigenous communities.

4. A goal of this fellowship is to create an intellectual community of scholars, artists, writers, and researchers engaging in projects related to the biennial theme. What might you bring to such a community? What might benefit you in being part of such a community? 

5. This fellowship will be a regular activity of Center CIRCL; a new cohort will be selected based on a new biennial theme every two years. Please certify that to the best of your knowledge, you will be available to participate in the program during AY 25-26 and AY 26-27.

6. An opportunity in the fellowship is to work with other Fellows to organize a special issue of American Indian Quarterly, and to contribute an article for publication. What about this specific component of the fellowship would help you to move your work forward?

7. How will the two years spent working on this project help you move towards the degree? If a final culminating thesis is required for your graduate degree, and if so how does this fellowship and the project you are proposing for the fellowship connect to that project?

Part 3: Project Proposal

Within the application portal,  you will be asked to provide a project proposal that is connected the biennial theme, This City is So Indigenous. Your proposal should answer the following questions:

a) Describe the project you will work on during the two-year period of the fellowship.

b) How does your work/scholarship/project connect to the theme “This City is So Indigenous” ?

c) How has working on this project shaped you as a scholar? 

d) How will you spend your time? Provide a timeline for the two years, which includes being present for the weekly meetings during year 1, and quarterly meetings during year 2.

Part 4: Writing Sample

Within the application portal, you will be asked to provide a short writing sample of no more than 15 pages. 

*Please note: The writing sample does not need to be directly related to the project you are proposing here, but should show who you are as a writer and thinker.

Part 5: Résumé / CV

Within the application portal, you will be asked to upload your résumé/ CV. 

Part 6: Unofficial Transcript

Within the application portal, you will be asked to upload your unofficial transcript. 

Part 7: Recommendation Email

Please have your recommender email their endorsement to CenterCIRCLFellows@nyu.edu with your name in the subject line on or before Friday, February 7, 2024. 

A recommender should be a NYU Professor or your Doctoral Advisor. If your recommender is not your Doctoral Advisor, please also clearly include the name of your advisor above. 

Endorsements should stipulate that the student is in good academic standing, that you discussed the opportunity together, how the fellowship will benefit the applicant, and that students will be present on campus for the two-year duration of the fellowship.

*Please note: Late submissions will not be accepted.

Click Below to Download a PDF copy of the Community Researcher Application 

Please note PDF is for your reference only, applications are only accepted through the application portal above.