How do I apply for a Senior Fellowship?

Students interested in applying for a Senior Fellowship should review the program information webpage and then complete the Senior Fellowship Interest Form.

The interest form must be submitted no later than the 6th week of the term, one term before submitting an application for a Senior Fellowship. Most students plan to begin the Fellowship in the fall of senior year, so the interest form would be submitted in the winter term and the application in the spring term of junior year. Students intending to start a fellowship in a term other than fall must contact UR at least three terms prior to the start of the proposed fellowship.

Students who submit the interest form will be contacted by UR to set up an initial meeting about the program and the application process.  If you have not been contacted within a week of submitting the interest form, contact UR.

Applications are submitted via Canvas, and you will be enrolled in that application site once you have met with UR staff.

Step 1: recommendation request form (due 2 weeks before the application deadline)

Step 2: application materials

• Application form (includes budget)
• Written proposal
• Transcript (instructions on Canvas)
• Letters of recommendation from three (3) Dartmouth faculty members

Step 3: interviews for selected applicants

Additional notes:

• Students who propose projects requiring support from the Hopkins Center staff must consult with the Director of Hopkins Center Student Programs before submitting an application.
• Late applications are not accepted. If you have questions or issues related to your application, you must contact UR before the application deadline.
• Projects involving human subjects must have CPHS approval before students begin the project

Written proposal (refer to the Canvas application site for more detailed instructions)

• Project description
• state what the project is
• explain why the project is important (for example, how the project will
• contribute to your academic development)
• describe the project in detail, including methods
• discuss relevant literature and/or previous work in the area done by you and by others
• bibliography/references

Timeline: provide a specific timetable for the duration of the proposed Fellowship

Budget: provide an itemized budget and budget justification

Application form

• project abstract:  provide a succinct description of your proposed project (200 word maximum).
• project outcome:  specify what the actual final project will be (e.g. written thesis, film, musical production, etc.). There may be multiple components to the final project.
• advisors:  describe the expertise of your advisor(s) in relation to your project and explain the role of each of your advisors
• preparation:  how your background in academics and/or other areas has prepared you to do this project
• justification:  explain why you are applying for a senior fellowship rather than enrolling in existing courses
• major:  explain why you do or do not intend to complete a major in addition to the fellowship
• academic plan if you are selected as a Senior Fellow:  what courses would you take or audit and why?  Do you intend to complete a major?  Will you have satisfied the requirements for graduation?
• academic plan if you are not selected as a Senior Fellow:  how much of your project would you be able to accomplish?  What courses would you take?
• future:  Describe your plans after graduation and discuss how the Fellowship relates to those plans

Ownership of intellectual property created by Senior Fellows as part of Fellowship projects shall be determined in accordance with the patent and copyright policies of Dartmouth College.

Senior Fellows may not use funds provided by Dartmouth College for personal gain. For example, if the product of the Senior Fellowship is a book, a Fellow may not use Dartmouth College funds to print copies of the book to be sold for profit. The Fellow may, however, use other funds either during or after the Fellowship to print and sell the books.