JACOB K. JAVITS FELLOWSHIP

www.ed.gov/programs/jacobjavits/index.html

PURPOSE
The Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program provides financial assistance to students of superior ability, as demonstrated by their achievements and exceptional promise, to undertake study at the doctoral and Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) level in selected fields of the arts, humanities, and social sciences.  The program was originally designated the National Graduate Fellowship Program (NGFP) and was introduced into law by Senator Jacob K. Javits (R-NY). Senator Javits, long recognized for his support of education and the arts during his 24 years in the Senate, died on March 7, 1986. His Congressional colleagues honored him in 1986 by redesignating the NGFP the Jacob K. Javits Fellows Program.

ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility is limited to students who at the time of application have not yet completed their first year of graduate study or will be entering graduate school in academic year 2008-2009. The fifth year of a five-year, joint baccalaureate/master's degree program is considered to be graduate study.

Applicants must demonstrate financial need by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S., persons in the process of becoming U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and permanent residents of the Northern Mariana Islands. However, an individual who is enrolled or plans to enroll in a doctoral degree program that will lead to an academic career is eligible only if he or she is a citizen of the U.S. Applicants must be eligible to be accepted to or are currently attending a graduate program leading to a doctorate or Master of Fine Arts in an eligible field of study at an institution of higher education approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of the Department of Education. Applicants enrolling at a foreign institution are ineligible unless the institution is recognized by an accredited agency recognized by the Secretary of the Department of Education.

ELIGIBLE FIELDS OF STUDY
The Javits Fellowship Board annually announces the fields of study in which fellowships are to be awarded. The only eligible fields of study are those listed below. Applications submitted for study in fields not listed will be ruled ineligible and will not be reviewed.

  • Arts
    • Creative Writing
    • Music Performance, Theory, Composition, and Literature
    • Studio Arts (including Photography)
    • Television, Film, and Cinematography
    • Theater Arts, Playwriting, Screenwriting, Acting, and Dance
  • Humanities
    • Archaeology
    • Area Studies
    • Classics
    • Comparative Literature
    • English Language and Literature
    • Folklore, Folklife
    • Foreign Languages and Literature
    • History
    • Linguistics
    • Philosophy
    • *Religion
    • Speech, Rhetoric, and Debate
    • Art History
  • Social Sciences
    • Anthropology
    • Communications and Media
    • Economics
    • Ethnic and Cultural Studies
    • Geography
    • Political Science
    • *Psychology
    • Public Policy, and Public Administration
    • *Sociology

* Fellowships cannot be used at schools or departments of divinity, or for study in clinical psychology or social work.

AWARD
Awards are made for one year, renewable to a maximum of four years. The award consists of two parts: a stipend to the Fellow for a 12-month period for personal expenses (based on need), and an institutional payment to be accepted by the institution on behalf of the Fellow in lieu of all tuition and fees.

 

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