Fellowship Application Procedures

Beginning with the 2009–2010 academic year, Dumbarton Oaks is using an online application system. Applications, to be written in English, must be submitted electronically by November 1, 2008. To apply, please click here.

Transcripts

Junior Fellowship applicants only must have their university registrar send an official transcript of their graduate record directly to Dumbarton Oaks by November 1, 2008.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants for all awards, except summer fellowships, must have three scholars submit recommendations online by November 1, 2008 commenting on

  1. the demonstrated scholarly ability and preparation of the candidate (including knowledge of the requisite languages),
  2. the interest and value of the study or project, and
  3. the relevance of the study or project to the resources of Dumbarton Oaks.

When applicants enter the online application system, they will be asked to provide the names of their referees. The referees will then be sent an email which will tell them how to access the system and submit their letters electronically. One of the three letters for Junior Fellows must be from the faculty advisor. For summer fellows, only two letters of recommendation are necessary. It is the applicants' responsibility to inform the scholars writing on their behalf of the nature of the project and the deadline. The selection committees may decide not to consider letters of recommendation written by referees who are themselves candidates for the same fellowships.

Visas

For non-U.S. citizens, Dumbarton Oaks provides J-1 visas for the term of the Fellowship appointment, as part of our "Exchange Visitor Program" with the U.S. State Department. Please be advised that scholars who have been in the United States with J status within the past 12 months may not qualify for a Dumbarton Oaks J-1 visa unless they were in the United States for a total time of less than six months. These individuals (and all other non-U.S. citizens) are strongly urged to check their prospective visa status for the requested period of the Fellowship prior to submitting an application.