Ford Foundation Senior Fellowship

Overview

The National Academies have administered Ford Foundation Fellowships since 1979 providing support for individuals who can demonstrate superior academic achievement, are committed to a career in teaching and research at the college or university level, show promise of future achievement as scholars and teachers, and are well prepared to use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students. Ford Foundational Fellows also receive extensive support during and beyond their fellowship experience through facilitated engagement with a vibrant alumni community that provide professional development, mentoring, and a deeply connected network.

Through these Fellowships, the Ford Foundation seeks to further increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties. The Ford Foundation Senior Fellowship was established to further engage prior Ford Fellows in the important work of the Foundation while providing an opportunity for experienced academics to perform dedicated research to support their career progression in academia. The Ford Foundation Senior Fellowship award is intended to support research that advances and contributes knowledge to areas that are consistent with the work of the Ford Foundation.

The Ford Foundation Senior Fellowship award is intended to support research that advances and contributes knowledge to areas that are consistent with the work of the Ford Foundation.   Applicants will be required to describe how their proposed work will contribute to knowledge, or otherwise advance this mission.

The Ford Foundation Senior Fellowship award is open only to individuals who have previously held a Ford Foundation Predoctoral, Dissertation, or Postdoctoral Fellowship administered by the National Academies and currently hold a faculty appointment at an accredited U.S. academic institution. Applicants must have held the Ph.D./Sc.D. for at least seven years by the application deadline.

The Ford Foundation Senior Fellowship will be awarded annually to one or more individuals. The term of the award will be for a period of not less than 6 months and not more than 12 months, depending on the work plan submitted.

An annual stipend of $80,000 will be pro-rated according to the length of the approved work plan. An allotment of $5,000 for travel and other research expenses also will be provided. The fellowship may be held during a sabbatical year, but this is not a requirement. The stipend will be paid independent of any sabbatical pay. If necessary, health insurance may be negotiated as part of the award.

The Fellow will be expected to devote full time to the proposed research project during the fellowship period. During the term of the fellowship, the Ford Foundation Senior Fellow will not have any other obligations at their university. If feasible and desirable for the conduct of the research, the Fellow may work full or part-time, in residence, at a location away from their university. Location options include working at the Ford Foundation in New York, at the Academies in Washington, D.C., or at another location suitable for the approved work plan. The rationale for choice of location should be clearly articulated in the applicant’s Technical Work Plan, as described below.

Upon completion, the Fellow will be required to present their research in a plenary talk at the annual Conference of Ford Fellows or approved similar venue.