Fellowship candidates must be ABD (all but dissertation) at a U.S. institution by the application deadline with an approved dissertation proposal. Non-U.S. citizens may apply as long as the doctorate degree will be granted by a U.S. institution.
The Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the Public Entity Risk Institute with support from from the National Science Foundation and Swiss Re established a program in 2004 that awards dissertation fellowships for work in all aspects of natural and human-made hazards, risk and disasters in all disciplines. The dissertations produced by the fellows will contribute to the body of knowledge in hazards research. Ultimately, the program will foster the development of hazards scholars who will expand the research and practitioner communities.
In 2011, we will award up to 6 fellowships for PhD-level work in hazards, risk, or disasters in any discipline, including the natural and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, specialties in engineering, or interdisciplinary programs such as environmental studies.
Submit via email.
* A curriculum vitae including current contact information, primary disciplinary of dissertation work, educational background, professional experience, publications (completed and in progress), and honors and awards received.
* Dissertation Summary. A 3-page summary (limit: 3 pages, single-spaced, 1-inch margins, including graphics, but not including references) of the dissertation research covering: 1) the problem and purpose; 2) the theoretical significance and hypotheses; 3) the methods, including research design and data collection plan; 4) data analysis plan; and 5) anticipated findings, including theoretical and applied significance. This will be read by people in multiple disciplines, so discipline-specific jargon should be minimized.
* A narrative proposal for the fellowship award, including use to which funds will be put, relevance to the dissertation research (especially linking to hazards research), and importance of the work (limit: 3 pages, single-spaced, 1-inch margins, including graphics, but not including references).
* Budget for expenditure of funds requested (not to exceed $10,000), including a summary page and a budget justification for the following categories: equipment, travel, participant support (for qualitative research), and materials and supplies.
* Schedule for conduct and completion of work.
* Agreement of dissertation advisor. The letter should affirm the advisor's commitment to oversee the student and his or her completion of the proposed dissertation research, and testify that the student is prepared, according to the requirements of that particular academic department, to conduct the dissertation research. This should be submitted with the entire packet, not separately.
* Advisor's brief curriculum vitae (limited to 2-pages), including current contact information.
* Dissertation prospectus approval form signed by the entire committee. The entire prospectus should not be submitted, simply the approval form.
* Names of two potential referees.
The money may NOT be used for stipends or tuition.