Pre-Doctoral Residential Research Fellowship

Guidelines

The Carter G. Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies at the University of Virginia invites scholars whose work focuses on Africa and/or the African Diaspora to apply for a two-year pre-doctoral research fellowship. The fellowship covers two years (beginning August 25, 2013, and ending August 24, 2015) and carries an annual stipend of $20,000, plus health insurance.

Deadlines

Applicants for the pre-doctoral fellowship must have completed all requirements for the Ph.D. except the dissertation prior to August 1, 2013. Please note: individuals may not apply for the Woodson pre-doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships in the same year.

Completed applications must be received no later than midnight EST on Saturday, December 1, 2012

Eligibility

The Woodson Institute fellowship is open to qualified candidates without restriction as to citizenship or current residence.

Terms/Conditions

The pre-doctoral fellows must be in residence at the University of Virginia for the duration of the award period. Fellows are expected to participate in the series of workshops held during the academic year and to present their work periodically to the larger academic community. Fellows may accept no employment, fellowships, or consulting obligations during the Woodson fellowship period without the approval of the Director.

How to apply

To apply, please submit a Candidate Profile on-line through Jobs@UVA (https://jobs.virginia.edu); search on Posting Number 0610410. Please attach: a letter of application (250-word maximum) stating interest in the program; a curriculum vitae which must include the following: personal information, date(s) and location(s) of degree(s) earned, honors and awards, lectures and conference presentations, publications and, the names of three referees.

• Applicants must submit a project abstract, including title, not to exceed 50 words as well as a project description, including title, not to exceed seven double-spaced pages (1,750 words). The project description must include the following: 1) the nature of the research to be completed during the period of the fellowship award, as well as the significance of this work; 2) a detailed plan of research and revision; 3) an outline of the concrete objectives to be achieved during the award period. These objectives must include a statement of publication plans for the proposed research and writing. Project descriptions must be attached through Jobs@ UVA under "Writing Sample 1." Project descriptions exceeding seven double-spaced pages will not be passed on to the committee.

• Please submit a working bibliography not to exceed four double-spaced pages. The bibliography must list those scholarly works that the applicant considers most important to the intellectual development of the project. The working bibliography must be attached through Jobs@ UVA under "Writing Sample 2".

• In addition, please arrange to have three confidential letters of recommendation (signed originals only) sent directly to the Woodson Institute by persons qualified to evaluate the proposals for which support is being sought. Letters of recommendation from credentialing services such as Interfolio are also "acceptable." All letters must be postmarked no later than midnight EST December 7, 2012 and mailed to:

  Selection Committee
  Residential Research Fellowships
  The Carter G. Woodson Institute
  University of Virginia
  P.O. Box 400162
  Charlottesville, VA 22904-4162

Signed letters of recommendation (PDFs only, please) may also be submitted electronically by the December 7, 2012 deadline.



Questions regarding this position should be directed to:
Lawrie Balfour/Director of the Fellowship Program


Questions regarding this position should be directed to:
Deborah E. McDowell


Questions regarding the application process or Jobs@UVA should be directed to:
Cheryll Lewis
434-924-6255

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Review Procedures

All applications and supporting documents will be reviewed by a local committee supported by such outside consultants as may be required. Proposals will be judged on the basis of the following criteria:

1. The significance of the proposed work
2. The qualifications of the applicant
3. Familiarity with existing relevant research literature
4. The research design of the project
5. The promise of completion within the award period

Preference will be given to applicants whose field research is already substantially completed.

Notification

Applicants will be notified by mail of the decision on their applications, and should receive those notifications in early March 2013.