The Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study awards 10-15 residential Faculty Fellowships annually to researchers whose work addresses the Institute’s yearly Research Theme.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study is sponsoring research projects that investigate the concept of The Public from many disciplines and applications. The project will bring together humanists, scientists, social scientists, legal scholars, and artists to examine how we organize individuals, political and scientific institutions, cultural resources, and informational structures into public, private, and expert domains.

Applications for Faculty Fellowships on The Public will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, September 27, 2021.

Faculty Fellowship Application

Research Support

Faculty Fellows receive half their salary per academic year (up to $75,000), subsidized housing (for those who currently reside outside of the South Bend area), a research allowance of up to $500 per semester, and a private office at the NDIAS. Fellows' home institutions provide the remainder of their salaries as well as all benefits, including health insurance.

The Faculty Fellows will be joined by a cohort of graduate and undergraduate researchers from Notre Dame who are pursuing their own public-related research projects. The graduate and undergraduate students will collaborate with the faculty fellows, with the undergraduates serving as research assistants as the need arises.

Throughout the year, the NDIAS will organize robust programming to further explore the theme and cultivate collaboration, such as work-in-progress seminars, guest lectures, book clubs, film viewings, and social events.

Eligibility

Faculty Fellowships are open to scholars, scientists, social scientists, and artists in all disciplines who are conducting research related to The Public. Faculty fellows typically have a faculty appointment at their home institution, but the fellowships are also open to independent researchers, public practitioners, postdoctoral scholars, and those who have recently received their Ph.D. (or equivalent terminal) degree.

Scholars from outside the U.S., researchers at national laboratories, fellows from other centers and institutes, as well as faculty from Notre Dame, are invited to apply. There are no citizenship requirements for these fellowships.

Current graduate students are eligible to apply only if they will receive their terminal degree by August 1, 2022. 

One goal of the fellowship selection process is the creation of a diverse and collaborative community of scholars with a range of disciplines and academic ranks. Applicants who are members of traditionally under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.

Some preference is given to those who can join the NDIAS for the entire academic year (August - May), but fellowships for shorter periods of time may be possible.

Fellowship Expectations

Fellows are expected to be free of their regular commitments and to have their primary office at the Institute so they may devote themselves full time to the work outlined in their research proposal and participate fully in the engaging and cooperative community of scholars at the Institute.

All NDIAS Fellows are expected to reside in the South Bend area and to remain in residence at the University of Notre Dame during the period of their fellowship (except for vacation periods, holidays, and University breaks). To facilitate productivity and collaboration, Fellows are expected to attend weekly seminars, present their research twice during these seminars, and attend NDIAS retreats, communications workshops, and other special events.

Application Requirements

Applications for Faculty Fellowships must be submitted through Interfolio and should include the following: 

1. Completed online application form;
2. Cover letter;
3. Curriculum vitae (no more than four pages, single-spaced);
4. Proposal abstract (no more than 400 words);
5. Fellowship research proposal (no more than six pages double-spaced, not including the works-cited or bibliography page);
6. Two letters of reference (though applicants are welcome to submit up to three). Please see FAQ document for common questions about reference letters;
7. (Optional) up to two pages of non-text materials supporting the research proposal.

In the research proposal, applicants should provide an explanation of the project they intend to pursue at the NDIAS, including:

1. How the proposed research aligns with the research theme and mission of the Institute (see ndias.nd.edu/about);
2. Preliminary objectives for the research to be conducted (i.e., whether the research might result in a book, journal article, art work, etc.);
3. The proposed work plan (including what research or work has already been accomplished, what will be done during the fellowship period, the methodology to be employed, and the organization of the scholarly project, book, or other work).

Research proposals may include a works-cited or bibliography page, which does not count toward the 6-page limit.

Because our application reviewers are scholars from a wide range of disciplines, applicants should ensure that the significance and originality of their project and explanations of relevant methodologies and project objectives are stated clearly for specialists outside of the applicant’s field.

Faculty Fellowship Application

All 2022-2023 NDIAS Faculty Fellowship applications, including letters of reference and supporting documentation, must be received by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday, September 27, 2021.

If you have questions about the application process for our Faculty Fellowships, please visit our FAQ page. Additional questions may be directed to Kristian Olsen, NDIAS Fellowships Program Manager, at kolsen1@nd.edu.