Stephanie Kozofsky, 2011-13 Jeannette K. Watson Fellow
I recently met Stephanie Kozofsky, a Pace University student studying in Manhattan, who is participating in a unique, competitive summer fellowship program called the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship. The Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship provides internships, mentoring, and enriched educational opportunities to promising New York City undergraduates with the goal of increasing their life choices and developing their capacity to make a difference in their own and others’ lives. Each year 15 students are chosen for the fellowship and provided a variety of paid 10-week internships in the nonprofit, government and private sectors for three consecutive summers. Fellows also convene regularly with their peers to discuss their internship experiences and talk about important issues with distinguished New Yorkers. Excited to learn more, we asked Stephanie about her fellowship experience thus far.
1. What inspired you to apply to the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship and what did you do during the course of the fellowship?
I was inspired to apply for the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship because of the amazing opportunities it offered. I loved the idea of three summers of meaningful internships. The fact that the third summer was going to be in an international setting was the icing on the cake!
I never realized how much I would gain from the fellowship. During the course of the fellowship so far, I have had two amazing internships. Fellows spend the first summer in a nonprofit institution. My internship was at the New York Historical Society in the Education Department. I had the opportunity to co-facilitate the high school internship program, which was a huge learning process for me. Fellows typically spend the second summer at a governmental or private sector entity. I was employed by Hughes Hubbard & Reed law firm, working with their pro bono Criminal Trial Program. While interning there, I helped prepare litigation members for court appearances. I also did legal research and gathered information for new cases on the rise. This summer will be my third and final summer with the fellowship. I will be interning in Berlin, Germany at the International Summer University of Freie Universität Berlin.
2. What are the biggest advantages of participating in the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship?
The biggest advantages of participating in the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship are hard to explain because there are so many! The main advantage is the supplemental program to the internship program. Throughout the summer, fellows participate in weekly speaker seminars to hear stories and advice from industry professionals. There are also weekly cultural events, to help the fellows bond with one another and learn more about the five boroughs that make up New York City.
3. What tips would you give other applying and interviewing for the fellowship?
For those applying to and interviewing for the fellowship, I would say be yourself! Each year, the Watson committee looks for a diverse group of innovative thinkers to make up the fellowship class. They are always looking for people who can think on their feet, have goals and dreams, and are passionate about social change.
Also the Watson committee believes that people should go outside their “comfort zone” and have the courage to put themselves in situations where they may be uncomfortable, in order to grow. Don’t let this topic intimidate you. Demonstrate your perseverance and willing to participate in such activities by describing a situation where your values were challenged or when you were in a situation that you had never experienced before. The application process itself is a new and challenging situation, so I would certainly encourage you to apply!
Stephanie Kozofsky is a senior at Pace University studying English Literature and Criminal Justice. She is originally from Hampton Bays, New York. She is actively involved in her school’s Student Government and she works as a Resident Advisor. She also teaches action civics two mornings a week through Generation Citizen. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and seeking out New York’s hidden gems. She is currently in her final year of the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Hillary Evans, 2011-12 Fulbright Scholar in Tajikistan
We recently met Hillary Evans at our first Esteemed Fellows Dinner in San Francisco. When you first meet Hillary, she seems like your typical recent graduate. But when you ask her how she came to her new position at the Silicon Valley Center For Global Studies, you learn that while she was student, she lived and studied in some of the most far-fetched corners of the globe, including Russia, China and most recently, Tajikistan. During her senior year at Syracuse University, Hillary applied for a Fulbright Research Scholarship to study drug trafficking along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border. We asked Hillary to tell us more about her fascinating Fulbright experience.
1. What inspired you to apply for a Fulbright in Tajikistan?
I’m extremely passionate about international education and public diplomacy efforts of engagement. What inspired me initially to apply for a Fulbright scholarship to Tajikistan was my itching travel bug (turns out, that never leaves some people!). I narrowed down a couple of languages that I wanted to learn and geographical regions I was most interested in, and was left with Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Iran. Since there are no fellowships for American students that I was qualified for in Iran and Afghanistan, the decision was made for me. As a student of International Affairs focused on CIS countries, I was able to prepare a solid research proposal on current, relevant issues.
Tajikistan shares a long, mountainous, sparsely-regulated border with opium-rich Afghanistan. Estimates of Tajikistan’s economic dependence upon profits from the trafficking of opium via the Northern Route ranges from 30-50% of their GDP, making this an incredibly relevant national security issue for the United States. So, given Tajikistan’s geopolitical importance, it seemed only natural to write a grant proposal on “The Economics and Politics of the Opium Trade from Afghanistan.”
Once I found out I was granted the research scholarship for 2011-12, I started networking like crazy in Washington, DC and set myself up with a nice arrangement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as a supporting institution. In exchange for social media/marketing/and press relations training and assistance at their office, they gave me access to their broad network of contacts in the field and included me on several UN border missions.
2. How has the experience impacted your career path and interests?
Hillary Evans with Tajikistan Ambassador Abjujabbor Shirinov (credit: Syracuse University College of Arts and Sciences)
While I have yet to formally publish anything on my findings, I anonymously contributed to several articles written by journalists passing through demonstrating my ultimate conclusion: without the profits of the drug trade, Tajikistan would be a failed state, which is not in anyone’s interest. Questions that I am currently exploring and working to articulate diplomatically are: Why then spend so much money and resources on counter narcotics enforcement?; How are the counter narcotics training and US-funded programs affecting Tajikistan?; and What would be left, if all of the opium fields were eradicated in Afghanistan?
Had I taken credit for my contributions, it would have jeopardized my connections and positions. A friend of mine was a journalist who experienced the unfortunate wrath of the Tajik government, and was forced to pay some hefty bribes to leave the country for fear of being arrested. Naturally, I was cautious.
I’m now back in the U.S. and working as a contract manager for a U.S. State Department-funded distance education enhancement program in Pakistan. Our goal is to give them the pedagogical resources to expand their operations and outreach and make them more capable of providing affordable or free education. One of the ways we are doing this is by building a partnership between San Jose State University and Allama Iqbal Open University in Islamabad. Eventually, I hope to join the Foreign Service someday as a Cultural Affairs Officer, or Public Diplomacy Officer.
3. What advice would you give others applying for a Fulbright?
A Fulbright application differs greatly from country to country, and when selecting your destination and research topic, you should be aware of what the particular selected country/region has a demand for. You can do this by researching the US Embassy funded programs and by keeping yourself abreast of current international issues. This is not to say that if you choose something that does not fall under the “necessary” category, you will not be picked. Just keep in mind that the Public Affairs section of the US Embassy does the final selection.
When planning for a supporting host institution, or “affiliation,” make sure you’ve reached out to several people within that institution that are willing to support you. In order to secure mine, I drew up an informal “memorandum of understanding” and wrote where I could volunteer and help out in their organization in exchange for office space, contacts, resources, etc. People are usually open to free labor! If you need assistance on selecting one, the US Embassy Public Affairs office staff are generally willing to help, or I would be more than happy to be someone to bounce ideas off of – especially in CIS countries!
Another piece of advice that may go without saying for most people would be to show up to your interviews knowing more about your research topic than your panel (or at least appearing to with confidence). They don’t want to fund someone that they think might get there and just be wandering and lost the whole time. Show focus, determination, and passion for your topic. Indicate clear goals and timelines. You will not necessarily have to stick with it, everyone knows when you get in country things tend to shift. This is where many of my fellow Syracuse applicants did not pass. They wrote amazing grant proposals, but had no clear plans of how to deliver and conduct their research.
Lastly, know the language of the country you are applying to. This will make your application more competitive and your life a whole lot easier.
Hillary Evans earned her B.A. in International Relations, with a concentration in Europe and Eurasian countries, from the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. In her fall semester of 2009, she was accepted into the Library of Congress’ Open World Leadership Program, a prestigious international security studies work/study program in Washington, DC, where she interned at a public diplomacy organization specializing in Eurasia. Hillary is now the Contract Manager for the Pakistan Distance Education Enhancement Program at the Silicon Valley Center For Global Studies of the San Jose State University Research Foundation in California. She speaks fluent Russian, moderate Mandarin Chinese, and some Tajik/Farsi.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Dean Fealk, 2011 Marshall Memorial Fellow
When I first met Dean Fealk, a Partner at DLA Piper, one of the largest business law firms in the world, I could tell he loves traveling and doing work that has a positive social impact. Early in his career, after completing a Master’s at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Dean taught and studied on a Fulbright to the Republic of Korea where he was the first American to clerk at the Constitutional Court of Korea. In 2011, the same year Dean was named one of “40 Under 40” by The Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal and one of the twenty leading lawyers in California under the age of 40 by the Daily Journal, he was also chosen for The German Marshall Fund’s (GMF) Marshall Memorial Fellowship (MMF). The fellowship provides emerging leaders from the United States and Europe the opportunity to explore each other’s politics, business, innovation, and culture through an experiential learning program. American and European Fellows each visit five cities during a 24-day itinerary of meetings. Since his MMF experience, he was named a US-Spain Council Young Leader and joined a delegation of 10 young American leaders who traveled to Europe to promote the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Spain. Excited to learn more about the Marshall Memorial Fellowship, I sat down with Dean to ask him about his fellowship experience and tips for the application process.
1. What is unique about the Marshall Memorial Fellowship experience?
The MMF gives emerging leaders from the private sector, government, NGOs and academia the opportunity to travel Europe, meet with thought leaders across the continent and explore issues of importance to the transatlantic relationship. It is a unique chance to step away from the daily routine for a month, self-reflect and open yourself to new ideas and viewpoints. The experience is not intended to be a one-way channel for information but rather an authentic and dynamic exchange of perspectives. Fellows act as private diplomats, representing the US and their home states as they make their way across the great cities of Europe.
Perhaps the most meaningful products of the MMF are the close friendships forged as fellows make their pilgrimage across Europe, through the Baltics, through ancient and contemporary history, often in a bleary-eyed sleep-deprived state. The schedules are jam-packed with official meetings, events and programming so there is literally no “down time.” The trial-by-fire is a shared experience not soon forgotten. And on an ongoing basis once the fellowship is over, the GMF works to preserve the trans-Atlantic relationships through its lifelong learning and extensive alumni network.
2. What do you think made your nomination and application stand out?
I think in my case I was able to demonstrate a proven track-record working to strengthen and support think tanks and non-profit organizations. Civic engagement is valuable to the GMF, which looks for fellows who will continue to work towards its mission and help strengthen the organization and MMF after the fellowship has ended. Generally, the GMF also looks for candidates who have excelled not only in their chosen professional fields but who also are civic minded and thoughtful about the issues of the day.
In addition to the nomination and written application there is a fairly rigorous panel interview where candidates are posed questions on a variety of subjects ranging from geo-politics to economics and the arts. You don’t need to be an expert on any of these topics, but it helps if you are relaxed, thoughtful and can let your values and passions come through.
Being passionate and knowledgeable about your home city are also competitive advantages. American fellows are asked to host incoming European fellows that tour the US on an annual basis, so it makes an impression in the interview if a candidate is actively engaged in the social fabric of his or her community.
3. What tips would you give others applying to the Marshall Memorial Fellowship?
Freshly reflect on where you are in your career, the path you have taken and where you see yourself in five or ten years. Also consider your personal leadership narrative. It might sound cliché to think about a short “elevator pitch,” but the exercise really forces you to take an objective look at your skill-set, experiences and ambitions so that you can articulate them in an organized and compelling fashion. That said, just be yourself! The GMF looks for leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds that are representative of society. Be your authentic self and just tell your story. And when you make the trip, go with an open heart and mind. You almost certainly will not return the same person.
Dean Fealk heads the Global Equity practice at DLA Piper, advising leading multinational companies on a wide range of legal and strategic issues related to doing business overseas. He is also a Truman National Security Fellow and general counsel to the Halifax International Security Forum. Dean is a graduate of the 2009-10 class of Leadership San Francisco and the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. Dean earned his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Malaika Neri, 2010 ThinkSwiss Research Scholar
Malaika Neri has a knack for finding interesting opportunities to study and work abroad on independent projects. Between her sophomore and junior year at New York University’s (NYU) Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where she studied Economics and International Development, Malaika was one of 19 people chosen for the Swiss government’s ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship. She spent the summer of 2010 at the Université de Neuchâtel in Switzerland where she researched and published an academic paper on the Swiss response to the 2008 financial crisis. She subsequently completed a year’s coursework for a Master’s in Public Administration at NYU’s Wagner School and was one of ten students selected for the inaugural class of the NYU Gallatin Fellowship in Global Human Rights. The fellowship provided her a $5,000 grant to spend the summer working for OTIV Alaotra Mangoro, a microfinance organization in Madagascar, and enabled her to study how microfinance can be used to fulfill social and economic rights. Now based in Quito, Ecuador as an international development consultant, Malaika connected with us to tell us more about that first, inspirational research trip to Switzerland.
1. What inspired you to apply for the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship?
I had wanted to study abroad, like many of my friends in college were doing, but wasn’t interested in simply “studying abroad” for the sake of it; neither did I want to go abroad and volunteer, when I could do that in my own community. So I searched online for opportunities to be abroad, doing something academic, such as research. That’s when I found the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship, which was open to any major, and offered the chance to do research at a Swiss university or research institute. It was perfect!
2. What do you think made your application stand out?
One of the primary selection criteria for the scholarship is serving as a student ambassador of a U.S. university in Switzerland. In my application, I wrote about moving to the United States from India with my family, and although my accent and body language often continue to mark me as a foreigner in the U.S., I realized that there was no point in rejecting the opportunity to learn more about what a new culture has to offer. I’m fairly certain that this anecdote swayed the acceptance committee in my favor. I was also very specific in my reasons for choosing the Institute for Economic Research (Irene) at the Economics Department of the Université de Neuchâtel as my host institution, and for selecting a school in the francophone part of the country.
3. What did you accomplish during the fellowship and how has the experience influenced your career goals?
Malaika in Switzerland
Through the three month fellowship, I was able to research and write an in-depth report on the Swiss government’s reaction to the 2008 financial crisis. Being in Switzerland helped enormously; because the government is so extraordinarily responsive, I was able to pick up the phone and call the Ministry of Finance, and they helped me find all the information I needed. It was an amazing experience. When I came back to the U.S., I found an academic journal that was willing to publish my report, and a few months later, saw it in print!
Conducting research in Switzerland was an extremely formative experience in my decision to pursue a PhD., and to continue the study of political economy. Being part of an academic community, not simply as a student but as a colleague, offered the opportunity to be among brilliant minds who were also supportive peers and inspired me to be a part of that world. All in all, I’m very, very grateful to have had the experience.
The next deadline for the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship is April 30, 2013. Apply now.
Malaika Neri graduated in 2012 with a BA in Development Economics and International Development at the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Malaika was a writer for the book “Telecentre Women Digital Literacy Campaign: Empowerment Through Technology, a global initiative of Telecentre.org Foundation and the International Telecommunications Union of the United Nations. She has also developed social impact strategy analysis for a variety of non-profits, philanthropies, and corporate clients. She was a semi-finalist in the 2012 NYU Entrepreneurship Challenge and accepted into NYU Reynold’s Changemaker Challenge, part of the Catherine B. Reynolds program in Social Entrepreneurship.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
In follow-up to my article on How To Fully Fund Your PhD, we began a series on fully funded PhD programs in various disciplines. There are several competitive, external fellowships that fund doctoral study, but if funding is a concern, it is a better strategy to apply to PhD programs that offer full funding to all admitted students. When a doctoral program indicates that they provide full funding to their PhD students, in most cases this means they provide each admitted student full tuition and a stipend for living expenses for the four to six year duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Not all universities provide full funding to their doctoral students, which is why I recommend researching the financial aid offerings of all the potential PhD programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools both in the U.S. and abroad.
To view over 400 professional and academic fellowships, including fellowships for graduate and doctoral study and pre- and post-doctoral research, sign up to view ProFellow’s fellowships database.
Below is a list of universities that offer full funding to all of the admitted students to their PhD programs in international relations, international affairs and international development:
American University, School of International Service, PhD in International Relations (Washington, DC): All those admitted to the SIS PhD program as full-time students and who maintain good progress toward completing the degree are granted a Dean’s Fellowship in each of the first four years of study, unless a student opts to waive financial aid.
Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, PhD in Sustainable Development (New York, NY): Full-tuition fellowships with stipends are available for all admitted students who are not already sponsored by their governments, employers, or a foundation. The fellowships are open to all admitted students regardless of citizenship.
Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, PhD in Public Affairs (Princeton, NJ): The doctoral program offers full merit-based funding to cover the cost of each student’s tuition and living expenses for four years. In return, each Ph.D. student is expected to work as a teaching assistant following completion of the general examinations for one semester or the equivalent of a “three-hour” teaching assignment. Ph.D. students also receive a 12-month stipend for research and living expenses, and are eligible to apply for other competitive graduate fellowships awarded by the Graduate School.
Stanford University, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Focus in International Relations) (Stanford, CA): The department offers a standard package, consisting of a stipend and the payment of tuition and fees, to most incoming students. Both domestic and international students are eligible for this standard package. Although the Department cannot formally guarantee support beyond the first year, it expects to continue to provide an additional four years of support to students making satisfactory academic progress. This assistance normally covers the full cost of tuition and an additional amount for living expenses during the academic year. The latter amount is usually in the form of a stipend, teaching assistantship, or research assistantship.
University of California Berkeley, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Subfield in International Relations) (Berkeley, CA): The Political Science department supports its graduate students through a combination of department fellowships, university multiyear fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships. Most incoming students are awarded five years of funding support consisting of fees and non-resident tuition, and student health insurance. All funding packages are contingent on meeting minimum academic and residency requirements throughout the tenure of support. United States citizens and Permanent Residents are required to achieve California residency by the end of their first year in California to receive continued fee support.
University of Chicago, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Focus in International Relations) (Chicago, IL): As a general principle, we provide extensive funding for all students who matriculate in our doctoral programs. Applicants to our doctoral programs are considered for all fellowship resources at the University of Chicago for which they are eligible. We offer Divisional fellowships at two levels. Both levels provide support for up to five years, are contingent on good progress, and are renewed annually.
University of Denver, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, PhD in International Studies (Denver, CO): The Josef Korbel School provides a three year full tuition waiver and living stipend for most applicants accepted to the doctoral program. In addition, doctoral candidates can take advantage of opportunities to serve as research assistants at the Josef Korbel School.
University of Guelph, PhD in International Development Studies (Guelph, Ontario, Canada): PhD students who are accepted at the University of Guelph are guaranteed a minimum stipend of $17,500 per year over three years of full-time study. However, most departments participating in the collaborative program set a higher minimum standard.
University of Ottawa, School of International Development and Global Studies, PhD in International Development (Ottawa, Canada): The Faculty of Social Sciences has a minimum funding policy that guarantees funding of at least $19,000 for each of the four years of doctoral study to all new doctoral students meeting the requirements described below. A fifth year of funding is available under certain conditions.
University of Washington, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, PhD in International Studies (Seattle, WA): The Jackson School aims to provide competitive financial packages for all admitted doctoral candidates. Determinations about financial awards are made at the time of admission and during the course of a student’s time at JSIS. Funding guarantees for consecutive years is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. All accepted doctoral candidates are automatically considered for fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.
Yale University, Department of Political Science, PhD in Political Science (Subfield in International Relations) (New Haven, CT): All admitted Ph.D. students receive five full years of funding, including tuition, health insurance, and a generous stipend.
Do you know of other PhD programs in International Relations and International Development that offer full funding to their doctoral students? We are happy to update this list, so please contact us or leave a comment below.
Also sign up to check our fellowships database to learn about other opportunities to fund graduate and doctoral study.
© Victoria Johnson 2013, all rights reserved.
Miriam Kochman, 2010 Chinese Government Scholarship recipient
While on a 9-month contract teaching graduate and undergraduate English courses at Southwest Forestry University (Xi Nan Lin Ye Daxue) in Kunming, China, Miriam Kochman discovered a fellowship program that would allow her to extend her stay and continue her own language studies. The Chinese Government Scholarship Program provides full and partial fellowships to international students and scholars for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral study and research in China. Miriam proposed to study Mandarin at Yunnan Normal University and in 2010 entered the program, which offered her a full tuition fellowship and a stipend for her academic year. In 2011 she earned a Certificate in Chinese Language and Culture, and subsequently began her graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). We had not heard of this fellowship before making Miriam’s acquaintance, so we sat down with Miriam to learn more.
1. What inspired you to apply to the Chinese Government Scholarship Program?
I was searching for a program that would allow me to study Mandarin in China for a year, but I also wanted to live in a region that was more remote than Beijing or Shanghai, similar to where I had taught English. The Chinese Government Scholars Program offered an intensive language program, and funding, in a range of cities across China. I was already in China so I was able to visit the universities and choose one that was a good fit for me.
2. How has the experience impacted your career path and interests?
I already had an interest in languages and global affairs, but living in Asia exposed me to a broad range of issues, such as urban development, environmental impacts, infrastructure projects, and technology initiatives, which have shaped both my academic and professional goals. My experience in China led me to apply to graduate school in the U.S. and I am now studying economics and international relations at SAIS. In addition, I believe that my international experience will help make my resume more competitive when looking for jobs after graduation.
3. What advice would you give to others applying to the Chinese Government Scholarship Program?
Don’t get discouraged! The application process is a little tricky and you may not receive a reply for months. Make sure that you follow the instructions to submit both a paper application and an electronic component (this was a requirement in 2010). The Chinese Government Scholarship Program presents an incredible opportunity to study Mandarin with students from around the world.
Miriam Kochman is completing the second year of her M.A. in International Economics and International Relations at Johns Hopkins SAIS in Washington, DC, and currently interns at the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation. Miriam earned her B.A. in Psychology and Linguistics from Brandeis University. She speaks French and Mandarin.
© Victoria Johnson 2012, all rights reserved.
The German Marshall Fund of the United States has launched the new Asmus Policy Entrepreneurs Fellowship to support two emerging policy entrepreneurs from the U.S. and Europe. The fellowship is in honor of Ronald D. Asmus, GMF Brussels office executive director and director of strategic planning, who dedicated his life to the principles of freedom and passed away on April 30, 2011.
Applicants must be American or European citizens under the age of 40 who propose a project that they believe will address an important foreign or economic policy issue and will advance transatlantic cooperation. Over the course of the year, Asmus Fellows will utilize existing GMF activities and networks to discuss and consider policy questions and frameworks before proposing a solution. Fellows will also have the opportunity to attend three to four key GMF programs, in some cases as speakers. Each fellowship is worth up to $25,000.
For those interesting in applying, consider how your project will advance the goals and ideals of Dr. Asmus’ work. Dr. Amus was a leading thinker, practitioner and policy entrepreneur working on US-European relations for over two decades. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs from 1997-2000 and was also a senior analyst and fellow at Radio Free Europe, RAND and the Council on Foreign Relations. Dr. Amus authored many articles and books, and is primarily remembered as someone with an “unshakable belief in the importance of transatlantic cooperation”, who pushed for NATO’s enlargement toward the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
Read here for more information on the fellowship program and application. All applications must be received by February 10th, 2012.
The Boren Awards for International Study, funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), provide fellowships of $20K to $30K to provide undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to study the language and culture of countries normally underrepresented in U.S. study abroad programs. It’s an opportunity to learn a less commonly taught language such as Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, or Swahili, among others. In return, Boren Fellows are expected to work for at least one year in a Federal agency with national security responsibilities, such as the Departments of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department or the CIA. It’s no wonder the Boren Fellowship is a highly competitive award, providing an opportunity for both study abroad and a career in the Federal government.
The key to winning a Boren Fellowship is crafting an application that meets the needs of the program. The NSEP asks applicants to identify how their fellowship project will contribute to U.S. national security goals, as well further your academic and professional growth. Even though the NSEP has a broad definition of national security, going beyond issues such as terrorism and peacekeeping to include topics such as sustainable development and population growth, it’s imperative that your fellowship essay has a strong focus on an issue that is of critical interest to U.S. national security. First, be well-read on security issues that are in the news: the New York Times and The Economist are a good place to start.
In your essay, specifically discuss how your project will contribute to goals that will make Americans and the homeland safer in the short and long-term. Focusing on a topic in current events can be an advantage, however more obscure security topics may be eye-catching if you know the topic well. Reach out to experts in your proposed topic area who can comment on your essay, including professors, journalists, academics in think tanks, and Federal government employees working in national security. Even though the NESP allows a broad definition for national security, they will more likely choose an applicant with a clearly defined topic that will advance U.S. security interests. For example, if you are studying public health and are proposing a topic such as infectious disease control in developing countries, be sure to find a U.S. hook, such as the impact of the regional insecurity caused by infectious disease on anti-terrorism efforts or the U.S. role in UN peacekeeping.
Also, in your essays, do not forget to discuss what you plan to do in your career after the fellowship and be specific. If you are not sure what you plan to do, choose your ideal path and discuss that goal with confidence that you will reach it. There are not many opportunities like the Boren Fellowship, so discuss how this unique fellowship will help you reach that goal. An applicant with clearly defined career goals is much more likely to secure a fellowship than an applicant who expresses that they are simply exploring options.
The Boren Fellowship deadline is January 31, 2013 and the Boren Scholarship deadline is February 13, 2013. If you have any questions about developing a strong essay, please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer them!
© Victoria Johnson 2011, all rights reserved.
If I wasn’t already tied to my research in New Zealand, I would definitely apply for this one! Fulbright is inaugurating a new Public Policy Fellowship in academic year 2012-13 that will allow fellows to serve in professional placements in foreign government ministries or institutions, to gain hands-on public sector experience while carrying out PhD research. The 11 countries offering this new fellowship include: Bangladesh, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Thailand and Tunisia. Areas of public policy focus include: public health, education, agriculture, justice, energy, environment, public finance, economic development, information technology, and communications.
According to the website, the Fulbright Public Policy Fellows will serve in a capacity similar to a “special assistant” for a senior level official. Fulbright is looking for PhD students with a strong service orientation, flexibility and resourcefulness, outstanding organizational skills, a wide range of competencies including strong writing, communication and IT skills, and an ability to work behind the scenes in a supportive role. Fellows may be responsible for activities such as policy and budget development and analysis; program monitoring and evaluation; drafting speeches, talking points, and correspondence; record keeping and note taking; and general project management. Fellows would spend approximately 32 hours per week in their professional assignment and 8 hours per week pursuing a related academic project.
Apply now for this PhD fellowship - deadline is February 1, 2012!
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