Nominate a Graduate Student for the IPSR Doctoral Research Fellows Program
Nominations are due Friday, May 2.
Applications are due Friday, May 23.
The Institute for Policy & Social Research is pleased to announce the IPSR Doctoral Research Fellows Program for the 2025-26 academic year. The program helps develop the next generation of KU interdisciplinary social science scholars by providing graduate students with training and support in interdisciplinary social science research and by creating a community of graduate students across the social sciences to support each other at KU and in the future.
Program Overview
Fellows will meet for approximately 10 sessions throughout the academic year to share research progress and experiences. Students will gain professional skills and knowledge of interdisciplinary social science research methods and analysis. Regular attendance is expected, as active participation will strengthen the program.
Faculty Sponsor
Jay T. Johnson, University Distinguished Professor, Geography & Atmospheric Science
Program Eligibility
- KU Ph.D. student in social science or engaged in research with a social science perspective
- Engaged in research with an IPSR Faculty Affiliate
- Interested in interdisciplinary research
- Applying with permission of graduate advisor
- Must be on-campus during academic year 2025-26 and available to attend 10 program sessions on Fridays from 2:00-3:30 pm.
- PhD students at all levels are welcome to apply. Participants will benefit most in their second through fourth year of graduate study
Selection
A panel of current doctoral research fellows will review application materials and recommend a cohort of 8-10 doctoral students for participation in the 2024-25 cohort. Nominees are scored on the strength of their statement of interest, CV, and nomination letter
Nomination and Application Procedure
IPSR faculty affiliates who wish to nominate a student should complete this survey.
Please include a one-page letter of recommendation outlining the student’s suitability for this interdisciplinary program by Friday, May 2. This nomination letter is considered a part of the application and will be reviewed as part of the selection process.
Nominated students will be invited to submit an application due Friday, May 23. A link to the online application will be distributed to students following their nomination. To be considered, an application must include:
- Nomination letter from an IPSR faculty affiliate, limited to one page
- Statement of Interest: Tell us about your research interests, discussing interests in the context of interdisciplinary research. Please include an overview of your interdisciplinary research experience/exposure and why interdisciplinary research is important to you. How will your research be different or improved through participation in the program? What unique perspective will you bring to the experience? (500 words maximum)
- CV (2-page limit)
Permission from Graduate Advisor (if applicable): required only if the nomination letter is provided by a faculty member other than the student’s academic advisor. After receiving the completed application, IPSR will contact the nominee’s advisor to confirm their support of the student’s participation.
Support
IPSR Doctoral Research Fellows will have available to them the resources of IPSR for proposal and project planning, development, and research. Fellows may apply for up to $500 to support research expenses or travel associated with their research.
Additional Information
Contact Mandy Frank, ipsrfellows@ku.edu, and learn more about the IPSR Doctoral Research Fellows Program.