Dissertation Scholars Program Application

The Princeton Dissertation Scholars Program, launched by the Mamdouha S. Bobst Center for Peace and Justice in 2021, offers financial and mentorship support for Ph.D. students enrolled in political science programs outside of Princeton University who have completed their course and exam requirements. Accepted applicants will receive research grants of up to $12,000 for their dissertation research. Research topics have to relate to the Center’s themes of peace and justice and can be in any subfield of political science.

The program will give priority to applicants enrolled at institutions that do not offer similar grants to their Ph.D. students.

Applications are due on November 30, 2021.

Applicants will be notified by January 2022.

Eligibility:

At the time of application students must:

  • Be enrolled in a political science Ph.D. program based in the United States.
  • Have at least one advisor who can support their application.
  • Have completed all preliminary degree requirements, including having passed comprehensive exams and their dissertation prospectus defense.

All applications must include the following:

  • A curriculum vitae (be sure to include qualifications/training that speak to the applicant’s ability to carry out the proposed research)
  • A 300-word summary of the research project
  • A detailed research proposal (up to 3,500 words) and budget following this Research Proposal Template and Budget Template
  • Documentation of a submitted or approved IRB application (this applies only to research involving human subjects)
  • Statement of institutional support
  • Advisor support form
  • Advisor support letter (advisors will send their letters of support separately to bobstctr@princeton.edu; please notify your advisor that their support letter will be due on November 30

Please ensure that all supporting documents are complete and ready BEFORE beginning the application. The application must be completed in one sitting. You will not have the opportunity to save and come back at a later time.

Complete the form below to apply.

 

Contact and Demographic Information
First/Given
Last/Family
Please upload a curriculum vitae (CV). Be sure to include qualifications/training that speak to your ability to carry out the proposed research.
Files must be less than 5 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf doc docx.
Self Identification Data

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the application form as a result of your disability, you can request a reasonable accommodation by calling 609-258-5227 or by sending an e-mail to bobstctr@princeton.edu.

The voluntary information requested below is used to assist us in our compliance with Federal / State Equal Employment Opportunity record keeping and reporting. Your response is voluntary and will not be used in any way to determine your eligibility.

Biographical Information
Note: For reporting purposes, we are required to ask for the sex of each applicant.
This question is optional. How do you identify? Please check all that apply.
Ethnicity Information
Princeton University is subject to certain governmental record keeping and reporting requirements. In order to comply with these requirements, Princeton invites you to self-identify your ethnicity and race voluntarily. Refusal to identify your race and ethnicity will not subject you to any adverse treatment.
Do you consider yourself to be Hispanic or Latino(a)?
In addition, select one or more of the following racial categories to describe yourself.
Family Information
Please complete the following information for up to four parents/guardians. What is your parent’s or guardian’s highest level of education achieved?
Research Fields of Interest
If you selected 'other' above, please enter your main subfield.
If you selected 'other' above, please enter your secondary subfield.
Research Proposal
Submit a 300-word summary of your proposal. This summary should include the main research question and hypotheses; how the proposed research relates to and advances existing research; and the main research methods that you plan on pursuing.
Files must be less than 2 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf doc docx.
Supporting Documents

Submit an expanded research proposal and a budget including a short budget narrative. The word limit for the research proposal is up to 3,500 words. Please follow the templates available here: Expanded Research Proposal, Budget with Short Budget Narrative.

Files must be less than 2 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf doc docx.
Files must be less than 2 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf doc docx xls xlsx.
Please indicate any current and pending research grant support (and dollar amount), including but not limited to any research funding related to the dissertation project of this application. Additionally, please list any past grant support for this dissertation project.
Applicants with projects involving human subjects must provide documentation indicating that they have applied for or already gained IRB approval or exemption for their research plan (for example, the letter of approval or exemption from the IRB or a letter or email confirming submission of an application to the IRB). Applicants who submit documentation of having applied for IRB approval will be asked to submit verification of IRB approval upon receipt of such approval. Does your project involve human subjects?
If your project involves human subjects please upload letter of IRB approval/exemption or documentation confirming submission of an IRB.
Files must be less than 2 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf doc docx.
Advisor and Institution Forms
First/Given Name
Last/Family Name

Please provide a statement of institutional support.

Upload your completed Institutional Support Form.
Files must be less than 2 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf doc docx.

Please upload the advisor support form.

Upload your completed Advisor Support Form.
Files must be less than 2 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf doc docx.