Awards will be made for study in research-based Ph.D. or Sc.D. programs that include the following major disciplines and related interdisciplinary fields: American studies, anthropology, archaeology, art and theater history, astronomy, chemistry, communications, computer science, cultural studies, earth sciences, economics, education, engineering, ethnic studies, ethnomusicology, geography, history, international relations, language, life sciences, linguistics, literature, mathematics, performance study, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, religious studies, sociology, urban planning, and women’s studies. Also eligible are interdisciplinary ethnic studies programs, such as African American studies and Native American studies, and other interdisciplinary programs, such as area studies, peace studies, and social justice. Research-based fields of education are eligible if the major field of study is listed above and is used to describe the Ph.D. or Sc.D. program of the applicant (e.g., sociology of education, anthropology and education).
The complete list of eligible fields of study supported at the dissertation level of the fellowship program is available here: Eligible Fields of Study List.
All applicants must:
- Confirm holding a previous Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship;
- Regardless of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation, confirm being one of the following:
- U.S. citizen or U.S. national
- U.S. permanent resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card)
- Individual granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program,1 Indigenous individual exercising rights associated with the Jay Treaty of 1794, individual granted Temporary Protected Status, asylee, or refugee
- Demonstrate an intent to pursue a career that includes teaching and research at a U.S. institution of higher education;
- Be enrolled in a research-based Ph.D. or Sc.D. program at a not for profit U.S. institution of higher education.
- Expect to complete the Ph.D. or Sc.D. degree in a period of 9-12 months during the 2024-2025 academic year;2
- Have completed all departmental and institutional requirements for their degree, except for writing and defense of the dissertation by December 12, 2023;
- Upload a signed Verification of Doctoral Status Form by the January 9, 2023 Supplementary Materials deadline;
- Provide evidence of superior academic achievement (such as grade point average, class rank, honors, or other designations); and
- Not have already earned a prior doctoral degree at any time, in any field.
Receipt of the fellowship award is conditioned upon each awardee providing satisfactory documentation that they meet all the eligibility requirements.