The Fellowship supports dissertations in which questions of religion, ethics, morals, or values are among the central organizing concerns of the project.

Some projects approach these questions through explicitly normative arguments about what ought to be done. Others examine them through historical, philosophical, interpretive, ethnographic, or analytical inquiry. What matters is not the methodology employed, but the significance of the questions being explored and the seriousness with which they are examined.

Applicants must:

• be candidates for Ph.D. degrees in any field of study in the humanities and social sciences at accredited graduate schools in the United States. Candidates working on D.Min., JD, Psy.D., Ed.D. and other professional degrees are not eligible. Students in science, technology, engineering, and math fields may apply provided questions of religious understanding, ethics, or values are central to the dissertation.
• be ABD, and have completed all pre-dissertation requirements fulfilled by the application deadline, including approval of the dissertation proposal.
• be in the writing stage of the dissertation. Usually, this means that fieldwork or other research is complete and writing has begun by the time of the award.
• expect to complete the dissertation between April 1 and August 31, the year of the tenure of the award.
• have never held a similar national award for the final year of dissertation writing.

The program of study must:

• be campus-based at the institution. This Fellowship Program does not provide funding for distance learning or online programs, or for degrees heavily dependent on distance learning components (research travel excluded).

Additional eligibility notes:

The Dissertation Fellowship is intended for applicants who are completing their first doctoral degree.

Fellows are not required to live in the U.S. during the tenure of the award.

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Applications are evaluated using four primary criteria:

Scholarly Quality and Originality

Is this excellent scholarship?

Reviewers evaluate the overall quality of the dissertation as a piece of scholarship. They consider the significance of the research question, the originality of the contribution, the rigor of the methods and evidence, and the project’s potential to advance understanding within its field.

Student Qualifications

Is this the right scholar to carry it out?

Reviewers consider whether the applicant has demonstrated the preparation, knowledge, and scholarly ability necessary to complete the proposed dissertation successfully. They evaluate the applicant’s preparation in light of the project’s scope, methods, and intellectual demands.

Dissertation Progress and Fellowship-Year Work Plan

Is this the right project at the right stage?

The Fellowship is intended to support the final year of substantive dissertation writing. Reviewers assess the current status of the dissertation, the work that remains to be completed, and whether the proposed Fellowship-year writing plan and anticipated completion date are realistic and well aligned.

Centrality to Religion, Ethics, Morals, and Values

Is this the right fit for Newcombe?

The Fellowship supports dissertations in which questions of religion, ethics, morals, or values are among the central organizing concerns of the project. Reviewers consider how these questions shape the dissertation’s aims, arguments, questions, or contributions, and whether they are central rather than incidental to the project.

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The Fellowship uses a two-phase review process. All applicants complete the Phase 1 application. A smaller group of finalists is then invited to submit additional materials for Phase 2 review.

We recommend that you read through the Applicant Guidebook

Phase 1

Applicants submit materials that help reviewers understand:

• The dissertation project (Dissertation Overview)
• The project’s relationship to religion, ethics, morals, and values
• The current status of the dissertation and the work to be completed during the Fellowship year
• The applicant’s scholarly preparation for the project
• Supporting materials, including a curriculum vitae, transcript, and two brief recommendation rubrics

Applicants selected as finalists are invited to participate in Phase 2.

Phase 2 (Finalists Only)

Finalists submit materials that allow reviewers to evaluate the project in greater depth, including:

• A full dissertation proposal
• A statement of Intellectual Commitments
• A statement on Future Contributions
• Two full letters of recommendation

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• Phase 1 application opens: August 1
• Phase 1 application deadline: November 1
• Phase 1 recommendation deadline: November 5
• Phase 1 review period: November 15 – January 13
• Applicants notified of Phase 1 decisions: January 15 – January 21
• Phase 2 materials due (finalists only): January 22 – February 17
• Phase 2 review period: February 19 – April 5
• Applicants notified of Fellowship decisions: By April 12
• Fellowship acceptance due: April 20

Who should apply for the Newcombe Fellowship?

Doctoral candidates whose dissertations centrally engage religion, ethics, morals, or values and who are entering the final year of dissertation writing.

How do I know if my project is a good fit?

Questions of religion, ethics, morals, or values should be central to the dissertation, not incidental to it.

Should I reshape my project to fit the Fellowship?

No. The application should clarify your project, not change it. Strong applications reveal a genuine Newcombe project rather than invent one.

Does my dissertation have to make a moral argument?

No. Normative arguments are welcome, but they are not required.

My project is historical, ethnographic, descriptive, or interpretive. Can I still apply?

Yes, if questions of religion, ethics, morals, or values remain central to the project.

I have a project that engages ethics, religion, morals, or values. Am I eligible?

Possibly. Fit depends on how central those questions are, the project’s scholarly strength, and its stage of completion.

My project relates only tangentially to religion, ethics, morals, or values. Should I apply?

Probably not. These questions should be among the dissertation’s central organizing concerns.

My department is not in the humanities or social sciences. Am I eligible?

Possibly. Eligibility depends on the dissertation project, not simply the department name.

Is this funding opportunity open to all doctoral applicants completing a dissertation?

No. The Fellowship is limited to eligible doctoral candidates whose dissertations fit the Newcombe mission.

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I am an international student enrolled at a U.S. institution. Am I eligible?

Yes, provided your degree-granting institution is located in the United States and you meet all other eligibility requirements.

I am enrolled in a doctoral program outside the United States. Am I eligible?

No. Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program at an institution located in the United States.

My Ph.D. will be conferred by an institution outside the United States. Am I eligible?

No.

What degrees are eligible?

The Fellowship is open to Ph.D. and Th.D. candidates. Professional doctorates (including D.Min., J.D., Psy.D., and Ed.D.) are not eligible.

What does “ABD” mean?

You must have completed all pre-dissertation requirements by the application deadline, including approval of your dissertation proposal.

What are “pre-dissertation requirements”?

These are the departmental requirements that must be completed before dissertation writing begins. Requirements vary by institution.

Can I apply before my dissertation proposal has been approved?

Possibly. If your proposal approval is expected shortly after the application deadline and you believe your circumstances warrant an exception, please contact Fellowships@newcombefoundation.org before applying.

What does “final year of dissertation writing” mean?

Most research should be complete, and substantial dissertation writing should remain during the Fellowship year.

I expect to defend in September of the Fellowship year. Am I eligible?

Probably not. The Fellowship is intended to support the final year of dissertation writing. Applicants who expect to complete the dissertation at the beginning of the Fellowship year are generally not eligible.

Can I apply more than once?

Currently, yes, provided you continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

I’ve previously received a dissertation completion fellowship. Am I still eligible?

Generally not, if it supported your final year of dissertation writing.

May I hold another dissertation fellowship at the same time?

Possibly. Some concurrent awards are permitted with prior written approval from the Program Officer.

How many Fellowships are awarded this year?

20 Fellowships will be awarded this year.

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What materials are required for Phase 1?

See Application Process above or the Applicant Guidebook for a complete list of required materials.

Why does the Fellowship use a two-phase application process?

Phase 1 identifies the strongest applicants. Phase 2 provides additional materials to distinguish among an exceptionally strong group of finalists.

What should I include in the Selected Bibliography?

Include the scholarship and source materials most important to understanding your project. The bibliography should demonstrate the intellectual foundations of your work rather than be exhaustive.

How detailed should my Fellowship-Year Writing Plan be?

Describe the substantive writing you expect to complete during the Fellowship year. Be realistic and specific.

What are reviewers looking for in the Fellowship-Year Writing Plan?

Reviewers assess whether the remaining work is well aligned with the Fellowship year and can reasonably be completed during the award period.

My department or field of study is not listed in the application. What should I do?

Select the closest field available and note your specific program in the application, if appropriate. If you have questions, email fellowships@newcombefoundation.org.

Who should I ask to serve as my recommenders?

One recommender must be your dissertation advisor. The second should be someone who knows both your scholarly work and your dissertation well.

What if one of my recommenders declines my request?

Ask another scholar who is familiar with your research and can thoughtfully evaluate your work. Click New to add information within a section. Only add information when you have the correct email address for your recommendation available. If any information changes, click New to add a new row with the updated information. Existing entries cannot be edited or deleted. You will not be able to add a new row without providing all required information.

Can I replace a recommender?

Yes, add a new line, as described above, and a request will be sent.

My recommender did not receive the automated email. What should I do?

First, verify that the email address was entered correctly. Then, ask your recommender to check the SPAM/Junk folder. If the problem persists, contact: contactus@applyists.com.

Can I use AI or large language model (LLM) tools to prepare my application?

All submitted materials must reflect the applicant’s own intellectual work, judgment, and responsibility. Applicants should disclose any use of AI or LLM tools in the Technology Assistance section.

Does it matter how I name the files I upload?

No. File names do not affect the review process. However, we recommend that the file name includes your last name and what the document is. For example, Beckham-transcript; or CV-Beckham.

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Should I wait until my recommendations or transcripts have been received before submitting my application?

No. Submit your application as soon as it is complete. Supporting materials may be received after you submit, provided they arrive by the applicable deadline.

Can I make changes after I submit my application?

Yes. You may update your application until the application deadline. However, uploaded documents cannot be replaced once submitted.

How do I know whether my application is complete?

Your Home Page status will read Complete once all required materials have been received and accepted.

How do I know whether my recommendations have been received?

Your Home Page displays the status of each recommendation as it is received. On the Application tile, you will see a person icon with “0/2” next to it if no recommendations have been completed. When it reads “2/2,” the two required recommendations have been received.

How do I know whether my uploaded documents have been accepted?

Your Home Page displays the processing status of each uploaded document. On the Application tile, you will see a paperclip icon showing how many required uploaded attachments have been completed. It can take up to one business day for your Home Page to reflect the acceptance of your document.

What file types may I upload?

The acceptable file formats are .pdf, .tif, .png, .gif, .jpeg, .bmp, and .xps. Microsoft Word documents cannot be accepted. If you have multiple files, you may upload them in a .zip file, as long as each individual file is in an acceptable file format. Any other file formats will not be reviewed and may result in an incomplete application.

Why can’t I upload a Word document?

The application only accepts files that cannot be altered.

Can I replace an uploaded document?

No. Please review documents carefully before uploading.

One of my uploaded documents was rejected. What should I do?

If a document is rejected, you will be notified by email with the document type and the reason for rejection. This notification will also appear on your Home Page under “What’s New.” You will have until the application deadline to upload a corrected document. Before resubmitting, please review the rejection reason carefully; uploading the same document without addressing the issue may result in another rejection.

How long does it take for uploaded documents to be processed?

Documents are typically processed within one business day.

My documents are still processing after the deadline. Will they be considered?

Yes, provided they were uploaded before the application deadline.

How do I upload multiple documents?

Combine them into a single PDF or ZIP file when appropriate.

What should be visible on uploaded documents?

Documents should be complete, legible, and correctly oriented.

The application deadline is tomorrow. Will my documents be processed in time?

Documents uploaded before the deadline will be reviewed and accepted, even if processing continues after the deadline. Acceptance is contingent on the document meeting all upload requirements in full, so please review the requirements carefully before submitting to avoid delays or rejections.

The deadline has passed, but my application status is still “Started.” What should I do?

Applications that have not been submitted by the deadline cannot be considered.

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How will I be notified about the status of my application?

Applicants are notified by email using the address associated with their application account.

When will I be notified?

Please see the Application Timeline for anticipated notification dates.

What notifications will I receive?

Applicants receive email notifications regarding their application status and, if selected as a finalist, instructions for Phase 2. Applicants may also receive deadline reminders for required forms and materials.

I was selected as a finalist. What happens next?

Finalists are typically notified in late January by email. Once notified, you will return to your application in the system to complete the finalist stage. This includes completing the finalist form, requesting two letters of recommendation, and uploading the extended proposal. One letter must come from your dissertation advisor, and one must come from another recommender familiar with your work. Letters must be submitted directly through the ISTS system; physical or digital letters sent by other means will not be accepted. Because recommendation letters are due at the same time as the finalist form, finalists should request recommendations as soon as possible after notification. All finalist materials and recommendation letters are due by February 17, 2027. For full details on proposal requirements and formatting, see the Applicant Guidebook.

Will I receive reviewer comments on my application?

No. Due to the volume of applications received each year, reviewer comments are not provided.

If I am not selected this year, may I apply again?

Yes, provided you continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

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Is the Newcombe Fellowship renewable?

No. The Fellowship is awarded for one year only.

How are Fellowship funds distributed?

Fellowship funds are typically distributed directly to Fellows. If you are selected as a Fellow, and your institution requires funds to be processed through its accounting office, please indicate that as early as possible.

Will my university continue my tuition waiver and health insurance?

The Foundation asks graduate institutions to waive tuition and fees while maintaining health insurance whenever possible.

May I work during the Fellowship?

Yes. Fellows may work up to 12 hours per week in positions related to their research, such as teaching, research assistance, or editorial work.

May I hold another award during the Fellowship?

Possibly. Some concurrent awards may be approved with prior written permission from the Program Officer.

Are Fellowship awards taxable?

Tax obligations vary by individual circumstances. Please consult a qualified tax professional.

May I defer the Fellowship?

No. The Fellowship may not be deferred.

Who administers the Newcombe Fellowship?

The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation administers the Fellowship. The online application is hosted by International Scholarship and Tuition Services (ISTS).

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Application Inquiries:
contactus@applyists.com

Newcombe Fellowship Inquiries
Fellowships@newcombefoundation.org