Schochet Interdisciplinary Fellowship in Queer, Trans and Sexuality Studies

Steven J. Schochet Interdisciplinary Fellowship in Queer, Trans, and Sexuality Studies

 2017-2018

About the Steven J. Schochet Endowment

Steven J. Schochet was an alumnus of the University of Minnesota. Due to negative experiences as a student, Steven J. Schochet decided to leave a bequest to the university in 1996 to forward the education, awareness, and acceptance of all LGBTQIA identities. The Endowment, managed by the Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life, furthers Schochet’s mission towards the advancement of LGBTQIA academics & research.

About the Fellowship

The Schochet Interdisciplinary Dissertation Fellowship in Queer, Trans, and Sexuality Studies provides $22,000 to a PhD Candidate who is pursuing research in the areas of queer, trans, and sexuality studies. This dissertation fellowship is for one ABD student during the 2017-2108 academic year (September-May). Applications for this fellowship are sought from persons of diverse backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented and marginalized communities.

Application Guidelines

Eligibility

Applicants are eligible for the Schochet Interdisciplinary Fellowship in Queer, Trans and Sexuality Studies if they:

• Are enrolled at a University of Minnesota campus during the 2017–18 academic year as a graduate student.
• Pursuing research in the areas of queer, trans, and/or sexuality studies.
• Will have passed the written and oral preliminary examinations and will have completed all program coursework including thesis credits by the end of spring semester 2017. Preference will be given to applicants who have passed written and oral preliminary exams by February 1, 2017. (Nominee may be registered for program coursework in spring 2016, but may not have any incompletes in program coursework at the time of nomination).
• Are making timely progress towards the completion of their degree.

Award Terms

• This fellowship will entail a $22,000 award, distributed through the Financial Aid Office. The fellowship does not include tuition benefits. The recipient’s graduate department is expected to subsidize their health insurance during their fellowship year.
• Valid only for 2017–2018 academic year.
• The U of M Financial Aid Office will be notified of this fellowship award.

Evaluation Criteria

The Committee will select recipients based on the following criteria: 

• The importance of the research and the clarity with which it is conveyed;
• The student's involvement in, or contributions to, research, scholarly or creative activities (e.g. publications, presentations at professional conferences, performances or exhibits);

• Applicant’s demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship in queer, trans and sexuality studies;
• Evidence of dedication to scholarship that engages an interdisciplinary approach across academic fields and concentrations.

Your application must include:

• Nomination form (see below)
• Statement of Research: This statement should provide a clear summary of the student's dissertation research, highlighting the student's original contributions to the research, placing the project within the context of existing research in the field, and describing the potential significance and contribution it will make to the discipline. Specialized terminology must be defined. The statement should also include a brief description of long-range career and professional goals.
• Maximum three-pages, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins.
• Key references, diagrams or pictures may be included (but they are not required) on a single additional appendix page (no formatting requirements).
• Include a working title for your research at the top of the proposal.
• Under the title, include an 100 word abstract
• Curriculum vitae (Maximum 2 pages)
• Two letters of support (one must be from the advisor) that discusses:
• The importance and significance of the research and its impact on the broader discipline.
• The student's publication, presentation or performance record in relation to other students in the field.
• The timeliness of progress toward the degree.

Notification

Nominating programs will be notified, in writing, by the end of February. 

Award Policy

• Duplicate Awards: The recipient may not hold a concurrent fellowship, scholarship, grant or similar award that duplicates the funding of the Schochet Fellowship.
• Supplementation: Recipients may hold supplemental support up to the value of a 25% graduate assistantship from any source in each semester.
• Terms of Award: Recipients must be registered for graduate credit both semesters of the fellowship year. Fellows need not be in residence.

Application Deadline

A completed application form and supporting documentation must be received in a single PDF document by February 3, 2017. The applicant’s Director of Graduate Studies should submit the application via email to: Stef Wilenchek, Director, Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life, swilench@umn.edu.

For more information or to request this information in an alternate format, contact Stef Wilenchek at swilench@umn.edu.

SEE THE PDF BELOW FOR THE NOMINATION FORM