The Center for Culture, Society and Religion invites applications for Graduate Student Research Awards for the 2023-2024 academic year. These awards are for graduate students whose work engages some manifestation of religion—historical, literary, comparative, empirical, philosophical, social, or cultural. Applications are sought from across humanities and social science departments, and students who will be regularly enrolled or DCE during 2023-2024 are eligible. Awards are subject to Graduate School rules and approval. Awards require active participation in the weekly interdisciplinary “Culture, Society and Religion” workshop. Award recipients are also required to attend at least one Center-sponsored event during the academic year. Examples of relevant research topics can be found in our list of Graduate Student Fellows. Selection criteria include: overall scholarly merit of the project, clarity and persuasiveness of the proposal, evidence of the applicant’s academic distinction, and likelihood that the applicant will contribute effectively to and benefit from participation in the interdisciplinary seminar.
Graduate Student Research Awards are for $7,000 and are intended to support the student’s participation in the academic-year workshop. Up to 50% of the award may be received during the summer preceding the fellowship year, with the remainder distributed during the academic year and/or the following summer. These awards are intended to supplement regular University fellowships.
Dissertation Completion Awards
Students who have reached Dissertation Completion Enrollment (DCE) status in 2023-2024 who apply for CCSR Graduate Research Awards will additionally be considered for a small number of Dissertation Completion Awards. These awards include the full amount of DCE costs for the academic year and a stipend equal to 10 months of the University Fellowship.
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Application Information
To apply, use the online Student Activities Funding Engine (SAFE) and follow the directions below:
Search “Graduate Research” opportunities for “Center for Culture, Society and Religion – Graduate Student Research Awards.”
Under “Project Title” please enter your title of your dissertation or proposed research project.
Under “Start” and “End Date,” please enter the first and last days of class, Sept. 5, 2023 and April 26, 2024.
Under “Recommenders” please enter names of two (only two) professors. Once you submit your application, these two professors will receive an email asking them to upload their recommendation letters to the SAFE website.
Under “Anticipated Expenses,” add one expense (category “Other”) for $7000. (If you are granted a Dissertation Completion Award, you will instead receive the full amount equivalent to the University fellowship.)
Under the “Documents” section of this application, please upload the following materials: 1) your research proposal (five double-spaced pages maximum), 2) writing sample (one of your dissertation chapters or other graduate paper), 3) a c.v.*, and 4) a transcript.
* Please indicate in your c.v.: a) your current year of enrollment and b) your enrollment (or DCE) status as of Fall 2023.
The deadline for the submission of the online application is Monday, February 27, 2023. Letters of recommendation will be accepted until March 6, 2023. It is YOUR responsibility to notify your professors of this deadline and allow ample time for them to complete their letters and upload them to SAFE. No extensions past this date can be granted.