Program Overview

The Connected PhD program, which is generously supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, seeks to enrich professional development opportunities for doctoral students in the humanities and humanistic social sciences at Brandeis. Now entering its fourth and final year, this four-year program funds professional development experiences for students and curricular innovation grants for faculty, all with the goal of re-imagining graduate education. Please note that funding will no longer be available after August 31, 2023. The Connected PhD program serves doctoral programs in Anthropology, English, History, Musicology, Music Composition and Theory, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (NEJS), Politics, and Sociology.
Check out the article about our program in Inside Higher Ed.
The Connected PhD was featured on the podcast The Academic Life. Podcast host Dr. Christina Gessler, a historian of women and gender, interviewed Dr. Alyssa Canelli, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Jonathan Anjaria, Faculty Director of Professional Development at GSAS, and associate professor in the Anthropology. Listen to the interview!
Future Funding Deadlines for Faculty and Students:
Spring 2023 Funding: Opens January 2, 2023 (Rolling)
We are happy to announce upcoming opportunities for Connected PhD funding for student professional development projects for the spring and summer. The Connected PhD Student Grant Application opens on January 2, 2023 and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of March 1, 2023. We will post another spring deadline for summer projects, but we strongly encourage you to submit your proposals for summer in this first round if at all possible. For more information, review this webpage or email connectedphd@brandeis.edu.
Program Staff and Contact
Alyssa Canelli, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs
Abigail Arnold, Department Administrator
Anna Valcour, Graduate Student Project Lead
Please contact us at connectedphd@brandeis.edu with your questions!