Graduate Student Fellowship Program
Our fellowship program is CLOSED for 2013. Please stay tuned to this page for information for the fellowship application cycle for 2014. Applications will be due in February 2014.
Since 2009, AC4 has provided funding of up to $3,000 for as many as ten Columbia University graduate students each year who conduct research in areas addressing conflict, violence, sustainable development, and peace.
In 2011, AC4 launched a $6,000 grant for a team of Columbia University students that propose interdisciplinary research.
Projects might include, but are not limited to, doctoral students’ dissertation research, masters students’ thesis research, or capstone projects.
Fellowship Materials
The three application forms are listed below. Information regarding eligibility and requirements is detailed in these materials. Documents have been updated to reflect the NEW deadline of February 4, 2013.
1. AC4 Graduate Fellowship Eligibility and Requirements 2013
2. AC4 Graduate Fellowship Faculty Approval Form 2013
3. AC4 Graduate Fellowship Projected Budget Form 2013
Application Information
Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.
The deadline for submissions is now February 4, 2013.
Interested students must apply as either an individual OR as a team.
AC4 does not pay overhead for institutions in our fellowship program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my fellowship for an internship?
At this stage, the AC4 Fellowship is only for research. By research, we mean capstone projects, dissertations, masters’ theses, and other academic projects. However, we are revising our fellowship guidelines for 2014 and may set aside some fellowships for those hoping to carry out internships. Please stay tuned.
Can I use my fellowship for…?
If you have a question about the relevance of a particular project, consult the AC4 website to see examples of previous fellowship winners, and read the rest of these FAQs thoroughly. If you are still unable to locate an answer to your specific question, please email the Research Coordinator.
What about sustainable development?
Sustainable development is one of AC4’s core pillar areas. We welcome projects that focus on an issue relevant to sustainable development, but it must have a clear link to one of our other areas of research – violence prevention, conflict resolution, or sustainable peace. For example, a project that focuses on health outcomes in conflict zones would be eligible. On the other hand, a project that focuses only on health and the environment would not be a strong contender.
Team grants – how many rec letters, faculty approval forms, etc.?
If you are applying as a team, we ask you to please submit one letter of recommendation that mentions of all of the students on the team by name, and demonstrates familiarity with the group’s work. If this is not possible for some reason (i.e., all students involved are from different schools within Columbia) then team members should each submit a letter of recommendation from a Columbia faculty member. There should only be one faculty approval form for each team.
What do you mean by interdisciplinary for the team grants?
Team grants may include students from within the same school or department at Columbia, but they must demonstrate an effort to integrate scholarly knowledge from more than one field of study. For instance if a team of political science students applies, they should try to draw a link between their project and research in psychology, anthropology or economics that is relevant to AC4’s research areas and to the project being proposed. We particularly encourage team applications from students from different departments and schools within Columbia.
I want to use my fellowship to fund a trip I’m taking soon, what should I do?
Please note that once the fellowship is awarded, the process to transfer funds can take a while depending on a number of external variables. If you want to take a trip or begin research before you are notified of the result of your application, you must do so at your own risk. If you are awarded the fellowship in mid-March and plan to conduct fieldwork in late March, for example, you would probably have had to make those arrangements in advance. In some cases, the fellowship can be used to reimburse you for research undertaken during the application period, but again this is a risk assumed by the candidate.
Can centers or institutes apply?
No, the fellowship is for individual students. Centers, schools and institutes can have multiple students apply and be awarded fellowships – applications are judged on the basis of the individual’s project and its relevance to AC4’s mission.
Can I use my fellowship money on tuition?
No, the fellowship is aimed at research projects (see above).
Can I apply more than once?
You can apply multiple times for the fellowship, however previous fellowship winners are ineligible to apply.
Can adjunct faculty or course instructors write letter of rec?
Yes, the letter of recommendation can come from anyone who has taught you in an academic capacity at Columbia.
What is the maximum number of students that can apply for the team grant?
Team grants applicants should keep their group to between two and five people. With $6,000 any greater number of students becomes unwieldy and would not be an efficient use of funds. Keeping the group small allows each team member to benefit from the grant and work closely with their fellow students.
What are my chances of getting team grant versus individual grant?
We cannot answer this question because the number of applicants changes every year. In 2013, there were over 50 applications for the individual fellowship and 16 for the team fellowship. It is best to think about what project makes the most sense for you and your research interests and focus on putting together the best application you can.
Does my faculty sponsor have to sign on to IRB or research compliance policies?
No, they can do so if your project requires IRB approval, but that is not required as far as AC4 is concerned.
Do I need IRB approval to apply?
This is a determination that individual applicants must make with their departments and relevant faculty members, AC4 does not have its own requirements about IRB approval.
If you have any additional questions regarding the AC4 Graduate Student Fellowship Program, please contact Alessandra Radicati at aradicati@ei.columbia.edu.