Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

I’m interested in the program but am not sure how to develop a project. What should I do?
We encourage you to take advantage of this funding, in part by spending some time thinking about what kind of project would interest you. Please note, funding will no longer be available after August 31, 2023.

• First, spend some time looking at possible career paths and how they line up with your experience and skills. Are there additional skills and experiences that might help you understand better if a particular career path is of interest to you, or that would help benefit your application for jobs in that field?
• Second, use your network as a means of exploring possible avenues for projects, or to ask for recommendations for ways to get valuable training for various career paths.
• Third, spend some time reviewing the list of funded projects descriptions to help you think about what a project might look like.
• Fourth, consider scheduling an appointment with the GSAS Office of Professional Development to explore ideas with a career counselor. Our specialists have a lot of experience helping students prepare for careers in a wide array of fields, and can help you think about your own skills and interests.
• Finally, Connected PhD staff are available to help workshop project ideas at anytime.

What kind of projects are funded by the Connected PhD?
A general guideline to keep in mind is that the Connected PhD funds are available to support professional development experiences beyond your academic training. For example, the funds are not appropriate as support for your dissertation research or travel to academic conferences in your discipline, since these activities are expected elements of your training program and can be funded through other means. If you have questions about a particular proposal idea or would like to workshop an idea, please reach out to the Connected PhD team and we’d be happy to work with you.

I would like to work with an outside organization for my proposed project. What should I ask for in the letter of support?
The purpose of the letter of support is to demonstrate that you have already engaged with the outside organization and made efforts to arrange for the experience you’re proposing. This could mean demonstrating that you have submitted an application and/or have received an admissions response for an experience that has already been designed and organized by a community partner (e.g., for a course or posted position). For an experience that you will be designing with a community partner, the letter of support should show that the experience you’ve designed is of benefit to and is supported by the partner, and that the partner is committed to working with you.

What if I’m not able to get an official offer or acceptance letter for the experience I’m proposing by the time I need to apply? What should I provide for the letter of support from the outside organization in that case?
Please submit documentation of the support you have at the time that you submit your application. For example, if you’ve applied to a summer training program but haven’t received an admission response yet, submit documentation that shows that you’ve applied and provide information in your proposal about when you expect to get the decision. Funding awards would be contingent on acceptance in that case.

How much detail should I include in my budget?
To the best of your ability, please identify each budget expense individually with a description of the expense and its anticipated cost. Each expense should be clearly justified by the proposed project. We recommend presenting your budget in a table format to make it more readable for the application review committee.

Are there any page or word limits on for the proposal?
There are no specific length requirements for the project proposal. We encourage you to answer each question fully and concisely. Most submitted proposals are 2 to 5 pages long, including the budget.

What are the dates for future funding applications?

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.

What is the application review process?

After the review committee makes decisions, we will check in with the successful candidate's Director of Graduate Studies to verify that their award will not interrupt their course of study. Once this is confirmed, the student and their advisor will receive a letter about the details of the grant. 

When will the funding be available?
Funding for approved projects will be available at the start of your proposed project timeline. 

Who can apply for the Connected PhD?

Students in doctoral programs in Anthropology, English, History, Musicology, Music Composition and Theory, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (NEJS), Politics, and Sociology.

Will the Connected PhD approve expenses that are related to the project and that occurred before the project is approved?
No. Funding will only be approved for expenses that occur after the project is awarded and otherwise within the project timeline.

Am I allowed to apply for funding during the academic year?
Yes. While the use of funds during the summer months is encouraged, you are not restricted from applying for funds during the year. However, you should justify the use of time during the academic year in your proposal and make it clear that the proposed project won’t interfere with your progress in your program.

Are there restrictions on the time period for funding?
There are no specific restrictions. However, the program will not fund multi-year projects through one proposal. Each proposal needs to be focused on a discrete experience.

Are there restrictions on the kinds of budget items that I can request?
Yes. Information Technology Services and Procurement policies restrict computer equipment purchases with University-administered funds, such that any equipment purchased with these funds is property of the University and not of the awardee. While budget items such as short-term software licenses may be allowable, students should access existing University resources available through the computer and media labs for any needed software and hardware whenever possible. 

Can I submit more than one proposal?
Yes. The Connected PhD will award funding to any approved proposal. If you have been awarded funding in the past, you will be asked to indicate that prior award as part of your application, as well as to describe if and how the new proposal relates to previously awarded projects.

Are there any restrictions on applying for the Connected PhD if I’ve received other funding from GSAS (e.g., a Dissertation Year Fellowship or Travel Funds)?
No. You are welcome to apply for the Connected PhD whether or not you’ve received funds from GSAS in the past or are currently receiving other funding.

What do I need to prepare for my application?
In addition to identifying information, the application requires that you upload a copy of your CV as a PDF and write a brief statement (1 or 2 paragraphs) for every position to which you’re applying. The statement asks you to comment on why you’re interested in the position, what skills and/or experience you would bring to the position, and what skills and/or experience you would hope to gain from the position.

How does the application review process work?
After the application deadline, GSAS shares applications for each internship with its host unit. Each host unit has the opportunity to review applications and conduct interviews with applicants. Host units communicate their hiring decisions to GSAS, and GSAS then coordinates placing applicants with the internships.

When will I know if I’ve been accepted for a internship?
After the application deadline, GSAS works with the host units to match students to internships. We make every effort to complete this matching process as quickly as possible, within two to three weeks of the application deadline.

I’m interested in multiple internships. Can I apply to more than one?
Yes. Your application will be shared with the host unit for each internship to which you apply.

I’m interested in one of the internships, but I don’t have any work experience related to the internship project. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes. As much as the internship project is beneficial for the host unit, the internships are designed to provide a meaningful work experience for interns, including exposure to new work experiences. If the internship does require a specific skill beyond those that would be expected from any eligible student, it will be identified in the internship description.

I currently receive other funding from GSAS. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes. Preference will be given to students who are not receiving departmental fellowships, but all are welcome to apply.

How will I be paid for the fellowship?
The internships are hourly positions. GSAS staff will work with interns to coordinate the hiring process and will serve as the hiring manager in Workday. Interns will submit hours worked via Workday and will be paid at a $21 per hour pay rate.