Opportunity
The Watson Ph.D. Fellows program is seeking dissertation fellowship applications from fourth- and fifth-year Brown Ph.D. students in the core Watson departments — anthropology, economics, history, political science or sociology —who are working in the areas of development, governance and/or security. Up to two recipients would be on a year-long fellowship in their fifth or sixth years (2025-2026), during which they would stay active in the fellows program and at the end of which they are expected to successfully complete their dissertation.
Eligibility
Fourth- or fifth-year Ph.D. students in Watson's core departments — anthropology, economics, history, political science, and sociology — are eligible and encouraged to apply for a full year of support (stipend and health fees) if (1) they’re in good standing in their home departments (2) their dissertations address questions of development, governance and/or security, broadly defined, and (3) they’re capable of finishing their dissertations within the fellowship year.
Selection criteria
Fellows will be selected by the Graduate Affairs Committee on the basis of their faculty references, scholarly performance to date, ability to finish their dissertations within the fellowship year, and fit with the program's intellectual and institutional goals.
Applicants must submit the following via UFunds:
A current CV.
A 500-750 word statement explaining the applicant's interest in the program and the relationship of their research to one or more of the core Watson themes of development, governance and security, and how their research would benefit from the program.
A copy of their dissertation prospectus and any completed dissertation chapters.
A sample of conference papers, published papers or book chapters.
Two letters of recommendation (to be submitted by faculty via UFunds) from Brown faculty that speak to the value of the applicant's research and their ability to defend the dissertation by the end of the fellowship year.
Applicants with questions should contact Hayden Reiss at Watson_Fellows@brown.edu or the Incoming Director, Andrew Schrank, at Andrew_Schrank@brown.edu.