What is a Fellowship? | Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (2024)

FAQs

What is a Fellowship? | Undergraduate Research and Fellowships? ›

Fellowships are funded, short-term opportunities, that can last from a few weeks to a few years. They can be focused on professional, academic and/or personal development. Fellowships are sponsored by a specific association, organization, institution, or government which sets the eligibility requirements.

A research fellow is an academic research position at a university or a similar research institution, usually for academic staff or faculty members. A research fellow may act either as an independent investigator or under the supervision of a principal investigator.

By articulating a vision for your career or future academic life, it is easier to explain why you have decided to pursue a specific fellowship. Identify the skills and experiences you would gain from the fellowship that would directly help you achieve your professional and academic goals.

A Research Fellow is a NIH employee who possesses a doctoral degree and is on a time-limited, renewable appointment. The purpose of the Research Fellowship is to provide junior-level scientists experience in biomedical research while they provide a service relevant to the Institute or Center's (IC) program needs.

Fellowships are merit-based competitive internal or external awards to support a full-time course of study of qualified graduate students. Fellows receive financial support to focus on their graduate research and training without the requirement of service to the university (teaching or research).

Fellowships are funded, short-term opportunities, that can last from a few weeks to a few years. They can be focused on professional, academic and/or personal development. Fellowships are sponsored by a specific association, organization, institution, or government which sets the eligibility requirements.

This can be a tough time because only about 25% of grant applications get funded, so you would typically need to write four applications before striking gold.

Read broadly about issues in the news, both in the U.S. and abroad, and keep up with current events. It is not uncommon to be asked to discuss links between your research interests and larger social and political concerns. Be interested. Always come prepared with additional questions.

Explain why you're applying for the job, including your excitement for the position and how the job aligns with your career goals. Be sure to include the job title, the company's name, and what specifically draws you to the company.

A fellowship is also a community of people who share common beliefs or interests. A fellowship of knitters might meet weekly at a cafe in your town to exchange ideas and knit together.

Is a research fellowship good? ›

A fellowship can help you pay for graduate or postgraduate education. Fellows are selected based on their potential to make a positive, long-lasting contribution to their academic discipline. Graduate school and postgraduate training can cost tens of thousands of dollars, often well into six figures.

Some programs seek physician scientists, so if your focus is education, you may need to look elsewhere. Some specialties are especially competitive—particularly GI, cardiology, and heme-Onc—and the most sought after programs seek candidates with deep research and leadership portfolios.

These benefits may include: paid or unpaid periods of excused absence, adherence to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), access to on-site child care, child care tuition grants, child care information resources, and access to dependent coverage for health insurance.

SAMPLE RESPONSE

One of the reasons why I find education to be such a rewarding profession is the countless opportunities for peer collaboration, discussion, and self-reflection. I would like my summer Fellowship to be nurturing, but not overly controlling so that creative ideas are welcomed and encouraged.

Many employers consider the fellowship in lieu of entry level work experience. This may help you get a better job after graduation. Professional Development – Fellowship programs also offer extensive professional development opportunities to graduate students.

the state of sharing mutual interests, experiences, activities, etc. a society of people sharing mutual interests, experiences, activities, etc; club. companionship; friendship. the state or relationship of being a fellow. mutual trust and charitableness between Christians.

A “fellowship” can mean a variety of things, but it is commonly the formal name for a post-doc in the US. So in this case, it is “higher” in that it comes after a PhD, but it is not a formal title like a degree.

Having a fellowship on a resume sets a candidate apart in the academic job market, according to experts, and pursuing a fellowship also allows people to develop new skills.

Research fellowships are a sustainable way to fund significant research as they offer multi-year opportunities for dedicated and experienced researchers to conduct their own research project over a specified period. These researchers have usually been awarded their Doctor of Philosophy or are close to completing it.

The Research Fellows Program provides a financial fellowship to predoctoral students that includes a living stipend, tuition, and health insurance to support you during the program.