Research Fellowships and Workshops
The information on this page is provided by Tom Ewing, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Questions about any of the workshops or fellowships listed here should be directed to the program officers from the relevant funding agencies.
Fellowship Writing Group for Faculty: July Sessions
Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m. on July 10, 17, and 31
Location: Zoom and Newman 124
Contact: Tom Ewing, Associate Dean for Research etewing@vt.edu
Past workshops and resources from them are linked here.
This workshop will provide guidance for faculty preparing proposals for individual research fellowships in the humanities, social sciences, and education. Sessions will provide an overview of fellowships, common elements in proposals, tips for effective writing, and guidance on financial elements. Faculty participating in the workshop will have opportunities to read and critique drafts at any stage of development. The sessions will take in person in Newman 124 or via zoom. Faculty are welcome to attend as many sessions as their schedules permit. Please register plans to attend using the survey linked here and below. Faculty preparing fellowship proposals who are unable to attend the scheduled sessions should contact Tom Ewing (etewing@vt.edu). The workshop is open to faculty from any rank in any program at Virginia Tech in the humanities, social sciences, and education.
Fellowships to be covered in this workshop:
NEH Public Scholars (August 28: note earlier deadline)
ACLS (September 25)
Guggenheim (September, TBA)
National Academy of Education / Spencer post-doc (November 7)
Residential fellowships (Huntington, Nov 15, Folger, TBA, National Humanities Center, Oct 3, Newberry, TBA, Library of Congress, variable)
Fellowships for Faculty
Include full time research fellowships as well as short term residential and travel fellowships.
Fellowships for Graduate Students
Include grants for a full academic year, travel or short-term funding, and partial support.
Guides to Writing Fellowship Proposals:
Tips on writing fellowships:
Write persuasively, clearly, and intelligently
Make sure to capture reviewers’ attention immediately
Define the project’s purpose and goals
Explain the significance of the project
Address educated generalists and specialists in the field
Define an ambitious but realistic work plan
Proclaim the uniqueness of your project
Address all the required elements and the review criteria specified in guidelines
Highlight your scholarly accomplishments
Outline, write, revise, solicit reviews, revise again
Tips on fellowship planning:
Keep a list of potential fellowships updated and confirmed
Start the application process early
Identify potential letter writers
Consult with mentors about trajectory
Start by seeking smaller travel / short term funding
Consult with department chair about schedule and assignments
Apply for multiple fellowships
Don’t get discouraged
If rejected, as for reviews and feedback
Take reviews seriously and revise proposals
Integrate proposal writing with other kinds of writings (P&T statement, book prospectus, introduction)
Combine fellowships with university funding resources
Tom Ewing, Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Virginia Tech