Dissertation Fellowships (2026-2027)

Program Overview

The Center for Engaged Scholarship's mission is to contribute to social and environmental justice by mobilizing the ideas and energies of engaged scholars. Through this fellowship program, CES supports graduate students using the tools of social science to advance social and environmental justice.

Funding Details

• Award Amount: $35,000 stipend paid over 9 months
• Number of Awards: Expanded to 12 fellowships (increased from 7 with Mellon Foundation support)
• Geographic Scope: Open to Ph.D. students enrolled in U.S. programs (including foreign nationals and undocumented individuals)

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Status:

• Ph.D. students who have completed all departmental and institutional requirements including dissertation proposal approval
• Only remaining requirement is writing and/or defense of dissertation
• Must be on track to complete majority of research/data collection by June of current academic year
• Should be writing dissertation chapters when fellowship begins in September

Eligible Disciplines:

• American Studies
• Anthropology
• Cultural Studies
• Economics
• English & Comparative Literature
• Ethnic Studies
• Gender & Women's Studies
• Geography
• History
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Sociology

Research Focus:

• Engaged Scholarship: Research addressing pressing social problems or injustices
• Work whose findings contribute to making U.S. more just, equal, and environmentally sustainable
• Must meet highest academic standards
• Must speak to audiences beyond specialized disciplinary fields

Ineligible Fields (with exceptions):

• Ph.D. programs in professional schools including Public Health, Education, Social Work, Law, Medicine, and Urban Planning (exceptions made for scholars in these institutions doing Arts & Sciences-equivalent work accessible beyond the profession)

What They Don't Fund

• Professional school doctoral programs as a rule (though exceptions are made)
• Non-engaged scholarship or work focused solely on disciplinary advancement

Program Administration

• Selection Process: Three-round review process (application portal review → first round review → final round committee selection)
• Application Portal: SurveyMonkey Apply (https://ces.smapply.io/)
• Funding Source: Supported by Mellon Foundation grant ($558,000 over 3 years)

Background

CES received a 3-year grant from the Mellon Foundation for $558,000 to expand the fellowship program and increase number of awards from 7 to 12. The organization also received funding from the Hewlett Foundation for related research initiatives.

Application Process

The Center uses a three-step application and selection process:

Step 1: Application Portal

1. Access the online application portal at https://ces.smapply.io/
2. Complete the fellowship application form
3. Request letters of recommendation from referees
4. Upload supporting documents

Step 2: First Round Review

• Reviewers evaluate all applications
• Strongest applications are selected to advance
• Second round reviewers provide written comments on advancing applications

Step 3: Final Round Review

• Final committee reviews applications with written comments
• Committee selects winning applications
• Successful applicants are notified

Timeline

• Application Opens: October 1 annually
• Application Deadline: December 1 annually (11:59 PM PST)
• Next Round: October 1, 2026 – December 1, 2026

Required Materials

• Completed application form
• Letters of recommendation
• Supporting documents (to be specified in portal)

Notes

• Applicants uncertain about eligibility should contact info@cescholar.org before applying
• Feedback welcome at info@cescholar.org
• For technical support with SurveyMonkey Apply, see FAQ or submit support request form (links provided in portal)