Social Science Research Council

Student applications will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria.

Originality and appropriateness of the topic.  The dissertation topic must suggest an original contribution to an existing body of scholarship.  It should acknowledge and build on such scholarship while presenting a new research question and suggesting a substantive and appropriate methodological direction in the research.  Topics that are interdisciplinary and comparative are especially encouraged; in all cases, the topic must fit within the research field as described in the current field descriptions, and applicants will also be assessed on the basis of how their topics complement and elaborate the stated aims of the research field.

Preparation of the student.  Students should have completed sufficient course work in or related to the research field for which they are applying;  they should also have completed one or more research papers or presentations related to their field (undergraduate honors papers, major research papers, M.A. theses, workshop or conference presentations). Additional research experience (e.g., research assistantships) is valuable.   Students must be in good standing in their home departments. In order to participate in the DPDF program, students must have finished all incomplete course work and have removed any "Incompletes" from their transcripts before the spring workshop in May.

Summer Predissertation Research Plan.  Summer research plans must justify the necessity and relevance of undertaking on-site, empirical investigations of specific sources related to the dissertation topic.  Students should describe the kinds of sources to be consulted and propose correspondingly appropriate research methods and a research timetable.  It is recommended that students make formal and professional contacts at their research sites.

Summer Funding.  The DPDF Program may award fellowships with or without funding depending on financial need.  All fellows participate in the spring and fall workshops; predissertation funding of up to $5000 is available for selected fellows who can justify their financial needs for such funds.  Students need to convincingly justify the use of these funds and the unavailability of support for summer predissertation research from their home departments and institutions.