AADS Dissertation Fellowship | Boston College

Boston College’s African & African Diaspora Studies Program (AADS) announces its dissertation fellowship competition.  Scholars working in any discipline in the Social Sciences or Humanities, with projects focusing on any topic within African and/or African Diaspora Studies, are eligible to apply.  We seek applicants pursuing innovative, preferably interdisciplinary, projects in dialogue with critical issues and trends within the field.

This 2025/2026 fellowship includes a $30,000 stipend; access to highly subsidized health insurance through Boston College; a $1,500 research budget; a $3,000 moving expense allotment; and a fully equipped, shared office.  The fellow must remain in residence for the 9-month academic year, deliver one research presentation, and teach one seminar course. The fellow will also receive compensation for teaching the course. The fellow is expected to attend AADS lectures and works-in-progress sessions and generally be a part of the intellectual life of the program.

The fellow will have full access to BC’s seven libraries as well as several rare book and manuscript collections.  Of particular interest is the Nicholas M. Williams Caribbeana Collection, consisting of materials from and about Africa, Jamaica, and the British West Indies.  The fellow can also benefit from the voluntary Apprenticeship in College Teaching and informal conversations about teaching with other graduate students—both of which are completely voluntary—as well as events and installations sponsored by programs in International Studies, American Studies, Asian American Studies, Islamic Civilization and Societies, and the internationally renowned McMullen Museum.

Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled in a PhD Program and be ABD by the start of the fellowship year. US Citizens, Permanent Residents and International Students are encouraged to apply.

Submit all application materials – including letters of recommendation – by Friday, 10 January 2025 at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) via Interfolio.

Applications must include:

1) a 3000 word project proposal that includes a plan for completion and description of how this fellowship will assist the applicant in achieving future professional goals;

2) a 25 page MAXIMUM writing sample;

3) a CV;

4) three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the dissertation advisor.