The Dissertation Completion Fellowship helps final-year doctorate students in focusing exclusively on research work. Typically, it can cover a good proportion of tuition fees, which may be difficult to bear on your own. To avail of fellowship perks, it is vital to prepare your application exceptionally.
As a matter of fact, winning this grant may be difficult due to intensive competition. According to Michigan State University, there are approximately 170 dissertation completion fellowships available annually. To take on the competition and get your hands on fellowship, preparing a strong application is required.
In this article, we will discuss how to make a strong application for a dissertation completion fellowship. As a result, you may present your academic accomplishments and influential research to have an impact on the research committee. Keep reading to make a difference by securing this valuable research asset. Let’s first learn about this fellowship.
What Is Dissertation Completion Fellowship?
As mentioned earlier, the dissertation completion fellowship program provides one year of support for PhD students so that they may be exempt from bearing their research work expenses. The researcher may avail of USF student health insurance for the duration of the fellowship award. Students fulfilling the funding criteria are guaranteed to secure it between G4 and G7 years. The applicants must complete all the departmental requirements to get accepted.
The upcoming section will tell you about the important components you must keep in mind while preparing your application.
7 Essential Components of a Strong Application for A Dissertation Completion Fellowship
Have you ever wished to take your research career to the next level? Consider a fellowship program that is meant to enrich your experience, understanding, and outlook on the world. All you need to do is prepare an exemplary application that demonstrates your background achievements.
Later on, once you secure it, it’s time to invest energies in experimentation and compilation of results in the final documents. However, if you have other obligations, it is better to avail yourself of dissertation writing services in the UK to be ahead of the increasing competition.
Whether you want to study a pitcher plant in Madagascar or snag a prestigious fellowship role, here is the detailed guide on acing the application process. Keep reading for your career advancement across the globe.
1. Make Fellowship Cover Letter
When applying for a UNC dissertation completion fellowship, it is mandatory to include a cover letter. Here, you should include a brief introductory paragraph that may explain who you are and why you want this fellowship.
Later, extend the discussion to provide more details in the opening. Creating a strong cover letter will set you apart from others and complement your attractive resume, which deserves the desired award.
How to Write a Fellowship Cover Letter?
- Know who will review your application.
- Provide your contact information and salutation.
- Give an overview of your remarkable qualifications.
- Showcase why you are the best candidate for the dissertation completion fellowship at MSU.
- You must end it with a lasting impression on the research committee.
- End the discussion with a closing phrase, “Sincerely”.
2. Prepare an Abstract
Think of your dissertation completion fellowship program abstract like a movie trailer. It should leave the reader eager to learn about your work and grasp its scope. This piece of paper will highlight the importance of the project, which is still in progress at the time you write it. Whatever kind of research you are doing, the abstract must address the questions like,
Key Consideration for Writing an Abstract
- What is the main problem that your project is likely to address?
- What is the appropriate background context of your study?
- What kind of data do you collect for your work?
- What is the experimental design of your work?
- How does the work relate to the bigger picture?
- What is the next step as you complete your work?
3. Write Fellowship proposal
The dissertation completion fellowship proposal briefly explains the proposed project and the motivation behind it. Here, you introduce yourself to the research committee to prove that you are the right person to get funding for the execution of the idea. Do the time of application, and do a lot of preparation to brainstorm how your project may fit in the big picture.
Your plan will continue to evolve between the deadline and its final submission. However, ensure the research plan is finalised by the time you write your research proposal.
What Does the Selection Committee Look for When Reading a Fellowship Proposal?
- The proposed research plan is feasible.
- You have enough background knowledge and skills for the execution of the plan.
- Your objectives for the study are realistic.
- You have adequately researched the required data.
- You considered all the stakeholders to tailor to their needs.
- You have enough support to complete the project.
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4. Curriculum Vitae
Not all fellowship applications require you to include a resume, but the ACLS dissertation completion fellowship asks you to do so. To create an effective resume, it is crucial to keep an eye on the purpose it serves.
In general, it provides a brief and skimmable overview of skills and education. In many cases, it is the first thing that the research committee may review. Therefore, provide the exact information they want to hear.
For instance, if a fellowship is focused on the international experience or exchange, then include information like,
- Your previous international experiences include independent travel or a volunteer position.
- Your previous interactions with the diverse cultures.
- Foreign language fluency.
- The leadership experience or skills.
- The academic papers or coursework relevant to the focus of the fellowship.
5. Arrange a Letter of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation is written on behalf of the applicant by someone who can vouch for your educational and professional expertise. It is a valuable asset to round out your dissertation completion fellowship application. If you write a good letter of recommendation, it will grant an edge to your application among the crowd of applicants.
How to Format a Letter of Recommendation?
Different fellowship programs may have different templates for writing this document. However, you may ask the university before compiling it. In general, you can break it down into the following sections.
- Write the date at the top corner of the page.
- Mention the name, title and address of the recipients.
- Begin the letter by introducing yourself.
- Give recommendations on what the candidate is good for.
- You can include a personal anecdote that you have observed in your student.
6. Fill In the Fellowship Application Form
The dissertation completion fellowship application form asks you a series of questions. Below is an overview of each question to help you in the process.
- Input your name prefix.
- Write your full name.
- Select your gender.
- Mention your date of birth.
- Your email, phone number and area code.
- Input your nationality and the country where you are currently residing.
- Give your higher education level or professional training.
- Upload all the training certifications.
- Tell your total years of experience.
- Tell if you ever previously anticipated this or other fellowship programs.
- Choose your area of interest for study.
- Give the names of your referees.
- Upload your CV that demonstrates your academic excellence.
- Give consent that you are aware and responsible for the information you are providing in the form.
7. Submit Application by Deadline
You should check with your department to submit your application by the given deadline. In general, it is recommended that you submit it early to avoid sloppy mistakes in the submission process. It is because preparing for the protocols by the time you are down to the wire will allow you to be focused on the individual components.
Deadline For Dissertation Completion Fellowship Harvard
Various fellowship deadlines as per Harvard Funding 2024 are given below.
- Michael C. Rockefeller Fellowship: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
- Harvard-UK Fellowship: Monday, November 25, 2024
- Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship: 3 October 2024
Conclusion
The dissertation completion fellowship is the most prestigious award that helps learners bear their research expenses in the final year of their doctorate. The competition for this fellowship position is intense, so preparing an impressive application for the position is the need of the hour.
When a student is enrolled in the PhD program, various academic obligations may stress them. For instance, they have to collect the data, analyse it, draw conclusions, and, most importantly, compile it in the final document. In such cases, buying a dissertation online from a trustworthy platform may take away the worry of writing a long document. Among all this, there is another hassle of applying for this fellowship.
The above article is a detailed discussion of how to prepare your application and secure this funding. Each component of the application is discussed in detail so that you don’t fall for any sort during the process. Therefore, if you are the one who is in the final year of a PhD and intend to apply for this program, don’t overlook the article above.
Best wishes for your future endeavours.
