In honor of the late Joseph L. Fisher, president of Resources for the Future (RFF) from 1959–1974, RFF will award fellowships for the coming academic year in support of doctoral dissertation research on issues related to the environment, natural resources, or energy. RFF’s primary research disciplines are economics and other social sciences. Proposals originating in these fields will have the greatest likelihood of success. Proposals from the physical or biological sciences must have an immediate and obvious link to environmental policy matters.
Eligibility:
This fellowship is intended to be the principal source of support for graduate students in the final year of their dissertation research. The fellowship will be reduced by the amount of any other financial assistance (other than tuition support) above $18,000. Financial assistance must be disclosed to RFF. Fellowship candidates must have completed the preliminary examinations for their doctorate no later than February 1 prior to the application deadline. This requirement will be strictly enforced.
Stipend:
The fellowships carry a stipend of $18,000 for the 2010–2011 academic year. Under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, most if not all of this stipend will probably be taxable income. It is expected that fellowship recipients will not engage in full-time employment during the period of fellowship tenure.
Application Materials:
Graduate students interested in applying should submit the following: (1) a completed application form available at www.rff.org/fellowships/fisher; (2) a cover letter; (3) curriculum vitae; (4) a graduate transcript; (5) a one-page abstract of the dissertation; (6) a technical summary of the dissertation not to exceed 2,500 words in length (not including the bibliography); (7) a letter from the department chair or other university official certifying the student’s doctoral candidacy; and (8) two letters of recommendation from faculty members on the student’s dissertation committee. The technical summary should describe clearly the aim of the dissertation, its significance in relation to the existing literature, and the research methods and data to be used. RFF cannot provide written evaluations of proposals.
Application Deadline:
All application materials must be received by February 23, 2010. The cover letter, one-page abstract, technical summary and curriculum vitae must be uploaded with the application format www.rff.org/fellowships/fisher. Transcripts, certification letters, and reference letters should be sent by email to fisher-award@rff.org with the name of applicant in the subject field. Phone: 202-328-5088. Announcement of the award will be made in April.
RFF is an equal opportunity employer.
Women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. |