The University of Pennsylvania invites applications for the 2024-2025 Provost’s Predoctoral Fellows Program. These awards are designed to provide mentorship and access to Penn’s resources for doctoral students in the humanities or social sciences, enrolled in graduate or professional programs at universities other than Penn, as they complete their dissertations. The fellowships are intended to support talented scholars with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

These residential fellowships support graduate students in the final stages of dissertation research or writing at Penn for an academic year. They offer an opportunity for scholars planning an academic career to leverage Penn programs and faculty expertise, as well as access to libraries and resources in the Philadelphia region. Each scholar will be selected and hosted by a department or school and work with a faculty mentor. Recipients must be in the stage of advanced dissertation research or writing.

The fellowship provides a stipend of $42,000, health insurance, library privileges, and a $5,000 research and travel fund. The application deadline is January 16, 2024.

This year, up to five fellowships will be awarded.

Qualifications

Candidates for the fellowship must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, enrolled in a PhD program in the humanities or social sciences at an accredited university graduate or professional school other than Penn. Candidates must have passed any PhD qualifying examinations and be in an advanced stage of research and writing on an approved dissertation topic. Candidates must be students of exceptional academic merit with a commitment to advancing inclusive excellence in higher education and improving understanding of the perspectives and experiences of diverse populations.

Application

Applicants should submit:

• A letter from a Penn faculty member with compatible research interests stating their agreement to serve as a mentor for the duration of the fellowship.
• Two letters of recommendation, signed and on official letterhead. One must be from the dissertation advisor, commenting on the student’s performance, potential, and expected time to degree. At least one of the letters must address the applicant’s contribution to advancing inclusive excellence and improving understanding of the perspectives and experiences of diverse populations.
• Graduate transcript(s).
• Current curriculum vitae.
• Responses to Predoctoral Fellowship Application Questions in Interfolio:
  • Describe your dissertation’s aims and methodology. (No more than 500 words)
  • Explain how your dissertation advances knowledge in the field of study. (No more than 250 words)
  • Explain how your dissertation contributes to understanding the perspectives and experiences of diverse populations. (No more than 250 words)
  • Describe your future research and professional goals. (No more than 250 words)
  • Explain how the Penn fellowship will support your goals. (No more than 250 words)
  • Indicate your expected date of graduation. (Month and year)

Applications will be accepted at: http://apply.interfolio.com/136522.

Questions can be addressed to the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty at: provost-fac@upenn.edu.