Notre Dame Institute Graduate Student Fellowships, USA

The Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study (NDIAS) is dedicated to fostering and supporting integrative scholarship addressing ultimate questions at the intersection of the arts, engineering, humanities, law, and natural, physical, and social sciences, especially those which transcend disciplinary boundaries.

The NDIAS encourages graduate student applicants to include questions of values in their analyses, to integrate diverse disciplines, and to ask how their findings advance civilization. The Institute offers its fellows the opportunity to engage not only in analysis but also in evaluating what should be done, to analyze the world in substantive and collaborative ways, and to think through the implications of present behavior for the future of the world.

As a collaborative academic community, the Institute cultivates the contemplative ideal that is an essential factor in the Catholic intellectual tradition and vital for the progression of scholarship. The greatest advances do not occur in solitude, but in the company of others who share a passion for advancement and are open to dialogue and collaboration.

Research Support

The NDIAS offers fellowships to advanced graduate students for a full academic year (fall and spring semesters, August through May). The Institute also encourages graduate students to address ultimate questions and questions of value while a member of the Institute’s academic community.

Graduate fellowships range up to a maximum of $25,000 (gross amount) and include a $1,000 research account, office facilities in the Institute, a computer and printer, access to University libraries and other facilities, and weekly Institute seminars and events.

The Institute does not provide medical insurance to graduate student fellows; appropriate individual arrangements must be made for coverage during the fellowship period.

Eligibility

The Institute welcomes applications from graduate students in all disciplines, including the arts, engineering, the humanities, law, and the social and physical sciences with projects that are creative, innovative, or align with the intellectual orientation of the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study. Graduate students from all institutions are invited to apply.

The Institute seeks applicants with:

• excellent records of scholarly, artistic, or research accomplishment in their field(s);
• projects that touch on normative, integrative, or ultimate questions, especially as they engage the Catholic intellectual tradition;
• projects characterized by clarity of thought, coherence, and impact;
• the ability to interact with other fellows and to engage in collegial discussions of research presentations; and
• a willingness to contribute to a cooperative community of scholars.

One goal of the fellowship selection process is the creation of a diverse and collaborative community of scholars. Applicants who are members of traditionally under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. There are no citizenship requirements for fellowships; non-U.S. nationals are welcome to apply.

Fellowship Expectations

The Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study is a residential institute that values collegial interaction and a vibrant intellectual exchange on major issues and questions of value. The greatest advances do not occur in solitude, but in the company of others who share a passion for advancement and are open to dialogue and collaboration.

Fellows are expected to be free of their regular commitments and to have their primary office at the Institute so they may devote themselves full time to the work outlined in their proposal and participate fully in the engaging and cooperative community of scholars at the Institute.

All NDIAS Fellows are expected to reside in the South Bend area and to remain in residence at the University of Notre Dame during the period of their fellowship (except for vacation periods, holidays, and University breaks).  To facilitate their creativity and productivity, Fellows attend weekly seminars and events hosted by the Institute, present their research twice each semester at the Institute’s weekly seminars, and engage the University community intellectually in a distinctive and appropriate manner.

While in residence, NDIAS Fellows are invited to actively participate in the intellectual and cultural community at Notre Dame. Additionally, there are many opportunities to engage with colleagues and scholars from the University of Notre Dame, from universities in Chicago and nearby, and with guest speakers through the Institute’s additional events.

Fellows are asked to continue the tradition of participating in NDIAS sponsored events including conferences and symposia.

Evaluation of Applications

Fellowship applications are evaluated with great care and at several levels of review to ensure objectivity and consistency.

Fellowship applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:

• the academic strength of the proposal;
•  the clarity and compelling nature of relevant methodologies and project organization and objectives, as explained in the proposal;
• the applicant’s ability to address major questions, meta issues, and questions of value;
• the potential for producing significant research;
• how the proposed research aligns with the intellectual parameters of the Institute;
• the applicant’s ability to contribute to a cooperative community of interdisciplinary scholars, as explained in their letters of reference; and
• the significance of the research proposed by each applicant vis-à-vis other proposals submitted.

Because of the numerous criteria involved in selecting fellows, application files are reviewed and evaluated by leading scholars in the respective disciplines and fields, serving as external reviewers. The final major review, conducted by the Institute’s Selection Committee (which is made up of an interdisciplinary group of scholars), consists of a thorough review of applications as well as the evaluation of internal and external reviewers. This committee is charged with making final recommendations on the selection of NDIAS Fellows.

Questions about NDIAS fellowships should be directed to Carolyn Sherman, Programs Administrator, at csherman@nd.edu.

Click here for further fellowship details and application