Residential Fellowship Program

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answers on this Page:
Who do you award Fellowships to? >>
How are Fellows selected? >>
What about the nomination system I heard about before? >>
Can fellowships be awarded for a single semester only? >>
What is the Center policy on fellowship residence? >>
Is there space and are there services for spouses and partners? >>
What privileges does a Center Fellow have at Stanford? >>
What is the Center policy regarding health care benefits? >>
What is the Center policy regarding travel and shipping subsidies? >>

See also:
Frequently Asked Questions about the CASBS-Stanford Relationship >>


Who do you award Fellowships to?

Center Fellowships have been awarded to many of the world’s most promising, provocative and productive scholars working in a diverse range of disciplines.  These include the five core social and behavioral disciplines of anthropology, economics, political science, psychology and sociology as well as scholars from a wide range of humanistic disciplines, education, linguistics and the biological sciences. 

How are Fellows selected?

The selection process is both egalitarian and competitive. Anyone who meets the academic guidelines can apply for a Fellowship at the Center. The application is evaluated by external reviewers including several experts in an applicant's field and typically one or more experts in related fields. The best-rated applications are then considered for Fellowship awards by the Center's multidisciplinary selection committee comprised of representatives from the board and administrative staff as well as external members.

What about the nomination system I heard about before?

The Center's previous nomination and panel ratings selection system has been replaced by a rigorous application-based selection system. In 2005, the board of trustees commissioned a comprehensive review of our selection procedures by a distinguished committee comprised of board members, former Fellows, and external members. Recommendations for change submitted by that committee were subsequently approved by the full board of trustees.

Effective with the Class of 2008-09, the Center has implemented a new fellow selection process, inviting scholars to apply for fellowships instead of requesting nominations.  Those who have been nominated in the past for a Center fellowship are invited to apply under the new system.  There is a spot on the online application form that allows you to designate your prior nominee status.

Are Fellowships usually awarded to eminent scholars? What about young scholars?

Through our new application-based selection process, which we launched in 2007, we seek to encourage young scholars to come to the Center soon after they receive tenure. We believe this represents a pivotal stage in an academic career. Having worked narrowly for several years to achieve tenure, young scholars now are in a position to think more ambitiously about their work and to take greater intellectual risks, provided they have the time and receive the encouragement to do so. A Fellowship at the Center offers the time, support, and intellectual stimulation necessary for young scholars to undertake far more ambitious research projects than they would normally do at their home universities. 

Can fellowships be awarded for a single semester only?

Yes. In special circumstances a fellowship may be awarded for the fall or spring semester. However, due to the importance of community relationships to our programs, preference is given to Fellows able to stay for the 9-month academic year (up to 11 months).

What is the Center policy on fellowship residence?

Continuous residence is one of the few obligations of holding a fellowship. In particular, our expectation is that Fellows remain in residence at the Center from opening day (the day after Labor Day in September) through graduation day, typically scheduled for the second half of May. We recognize that Fellows need to be away from time to time for brief periods (i.e., a few days or even an entire week), and such absences pose no particular problems. Repeated absences of this duration, however, or a prolonged absence of three weeks or longer would present a significant problem. Incoming Fellows are asked to clear their travel calendar as much as possible for the fellowship year. We stand ready to help Fellows fend off invitations that detract from or interfere with their Center fellowship by communicating our policy to the person extending an invitation.

Is there space and are there services for spouses and partners?

Spouses and partners are an important part of the culture at the Center, and they are warmly invited to participate fully in all aspects of the intellectual and social life of the Center. The most reliable way in which a Fellow can provide space for a partner is by sharing the Fellow's private study with the partner (we provide an extra desk and computer connection). When there is unused capacity, however, the Center does make an effort to provide a common room or rooms for partners and spouses who need to do academic work and who have no academic office in the vicinity. Staff support services are reserved for Fellows only.

What privileges does a Center Fellow have at Stanford?

Center Fellows are "Visiting Scholars" (an official University designation) and receive a Visiting Scholar Card when taking up residency at the Center. Visiting Scholars are accorded library privileges at the University Libraries and sports privileges at the University's sports facilities. Health benefits are not provided.

What is the Center policy regarding health care benefits?

With few exceptions, the Center plays no role in providing health care coverage (or subsidies for health care coverage) to Fellows or their families. International scholars should note that only minimal health care is available in the U.S. without health insurance. Please arrange a discussion with the Associate Director for more information.

What is the Center policy regarding travel and shipping subsidies?

Former Fellows who are returning to the Center receive no travel or shipping subsidy. Fellows from the San Francisco Bay Area and central California likewise receive no travel or shipping subsidy.

Otherwise, for new Fellows, there is a small travel and shipping (relocation) subsidy, which is pre-determined by the Center based on the geographic region of the Fellow's home institution. The relocation subsidy also factors in identical travel for a spouse or partner and any dependent children (no older than 18 years of age at time of travel), provided they reside with the new Fellow for at least 6 months of the year, again subject to limits.