AISLS Dissertation Planning Grant General Information AISLS dissertation planning grants are designed to enable graduate students intending to do dissertation research in Sri Lanka to make a pre-dissertation visit to Sri Lanka to investigate the feasibility of their topic, to sharpen their research design, or to make other practical arrangements for future research. A list of previous recipients of these awards is available. Although language instruction is not the primary focus of these awards, successful applicants may simultaneously hold an AISLS language instruction grant. Eligibility Guidelines Applicants will normally be enrolled in a PhD program (or equivalent) in a US university. There are no citizenship requirements, but some of the funds available for this program may only be spent on awards for U.S. citizens. Applicants should have completed most of their graduate coursework by the time they take up their grant. The grant is especially intended for students who are in the process of completing their dissertation proposals and preparing applications for funds to support their dissertation research, but other purposes may be proposed. Applicants should normally plan to spend at least six weeks in Sri Lanka. Applicants whose research will also require spending time in libraries or archives in a third country may request funds for up to two weeks for this purpose, beyond the time spent in Sri Lanka. Fellowship Benefits A per diem of $325/week, for a period up to eight weeks. Reimbursement for roundtrip airfare between the United States and Colombo, for an amount up to $2,000. Reimbursement for any visa fees paid to the Sri Lankan government. Competition Criteria Projects in all fields in the social sciences and humanities are eligible. Proposals will be judged on their quality and on the potential of the dissertation research to strengthen scholarship on Sri Lanka. Application Contents The completed application should contain the following items: An AISLS Dissertation Planning Grant Application Cover Sheet.. A curriculum vitae, not to exceed two pages, which should include the name and email address of the applicant's dissertation supervisor. A copy of the applicant's graduate transcript. An unofficial copy is acceptable. A project narrative, not to exceed two single-spaced pages. This is the most important part of the application. It should cover the following topics: a summary of the proposed dissertation project, or, if the purpose of the planning grant is to define a dissertation project, a summary of the more general questions the applicant hopes to address in his or her dissertation a description of what the applicant intends to do during the grant period the applicant's competence to carry out his or her proposed project, including language training A one-page project bibliography, including a selected list of publications by other scholars or primary sources that have been or will be used in the project A confidential letter of recommendation from the applicant's dissertation supervisor. This letter should cover the applicant's academic record and be specific about the applicant's progress to date within the graduate program concerned. This letter should be sent directly to John Rogers at the address given below. Application Format Pages should have one-inch margins on all sides. Type size should be 10 points or larger. Pages should be printed on one side only. Every page should be numbered and include the name of the applicant in the upper right-hand corner. Five copies of the application (including the original) should be submitted, each collated in the order given above (cover sheet, cv, project description, bibliography) and fastened with a staple. Deadlines, Selection, and Notification Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 2008, and the letter of recommendation should also be sent by this date. Early submission is encouraged. Submissions by fax or email will not be accepted. Awards will be announced in early March, 2009. Applications should be sent to: John Rogers Chair, AISLS Selection Committee 155 Pine St. Belmont, MA 02478 For more information, contact John Rogers at the above address or at Click here to generate a printable (pdf) copy of these instructions. - Back to top -   Created by the Boston Web Company