Fellowships for Byzantine, Garden and Landscape, and Pre-Columbian Scholars 2019, USA

Publish Date: Aug 13, 2018

Deadline: Nov 01, 2018

Fellowships and Junior Fellowships

Fellowships and Junior Fellowships are normally awarded for the academic year (September 9, 2019, to May 8, 2020). During this time, recipients are expected to be in residence at Dumbarton Oaks and to devote full time to their study projects without undertaking any other major activities. Awards may also be made for a single term (either September 9, 2019, to January 3, 2020, or January 21 to May 8, 2020).

Support includes a stipend of $21,000 for a Junior Fellow or $35,000 for a Fellow for the full academic year; housing (a housing allowance may be offered instead of housing if Dumbarton Oaks is unable to provide accommodations; successful applicants from the greater Washington metropolitan area will not be offered housing); lunch on weekdays; and the health insurance contribution from Dumbarton Oaks. Travel expense reimbursement for the lowest available economy airfare or rail travel (or mileage if less than the equivalent economy airfare), up to a maximum of $1,100 for domestic travel or $1,600 for international travel, may be provided for Fellows and Junior Fellows if support cannot be obtained from other sources (such as a Fulbright travel grant). Reimbursement of Visa fees is also provided for Fellows, but not for dependents.

Fellowships are prorated for appointments shorter than the full academic year. Dumbarton Oaks anticipates that sabbatical salary or funds from other sources may supplement awards, particularly to Fellows. Fellows may hold other grants with the knowledge and permission of both the grantors and Dumbarton Oaks.

For junior fellowship applicants, official graduate transcripts must be postmarked by November 1 and mailed to: Manager of Academic Programs, Dumbarton Oaks, 1703 32nd St. NW Washington, DC 20007.

Summer Fellowships

Summer Fellowships are awarded for a period of seven weeks. The 2019 summer fellowship term is June 17 to August 2.

Awards provide a maintenance allowance of $250 per week; housing in a Dumbarton Oaks apartment; lunch on weekdays; the health insurance contribution from Dumbarton Oaks; and travel expense reimbursement (not to exceed the lowest available airfare, to a maximum of $1,100 for domestic travel or $1,600 for international travel) if other travel support cannot be obtained.

Terms

Please note that five years must elapse between the end of a Fellowship term and reappointment to a Fellowship. Three years must elapse between the end of a Fellowship term and appointment to a summer Fellowship; likewise three years must elapse between the end of a summer fellowship and appointment to a Fellowship. Two years must elapse between the end of a Fellowship term and the offer of a One-Month Research Award. 

Visas

For non-U.S. citizens, Dumbarton Oaks provides J-1 visas for the term of the Fellowship appointment, as part of our U.S. Department of State-designated Exchange Visitor Program. Please be advised that scholars who have been in the United States with J status within the past 12 months may not qualify for a Dumbarton Oaks J-1 visa unless they were in the United States for a total time of less than six months. These individuals and all other non-U.S. citizens are strongly urged to check their prospective visa status for the requested period of the Fellowship prior to submitting an application.

Frequently Asked Questions for Accepted Fellows

When should I plan to arrive at, and depart from, Dumbarton Oaks?

Housing will be available on the Saturday morning before term begins and will extend until Sunday at 6:00 p.m. after term ends. Fellows should inform the Fellowship Office (FellowshipPrograms@doaks.org) of their expected arrival and departure as soon as they have finalized their travel plans, but no later than two weeks prior to the start of term.

What is the Orientation and is my presence required?

The first day of the Fellowship includes meetings, tours, and the sharing of important information. Fellows must be present at Dumbarton Oaks by 9 a.m. on the first day of term in order to participate in the required Orientation. Failure to be present for the entire Orientation may result in forfeiture of the Fellowship or automatic reduction of the stipend.

What is the residence requirement for the Fellowship?

Dumbarton Oaks fellowships are residential awards that place great emphasis on the exchange of ideas and on the spirit of community among fellows who live and work in close proximity. Fellows are expected to be present at Dumbarton Oaks during the entire period of their fellowship, except for the interval between the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays (December 24–January 1). Absences of more than two days must have the express approval of the Director. Approved absences may not total more than one week per term or two weeks per academic year. Longer absences, if unapproved, will result in forfeiture of the Fellowship. In the rare case where extended leave is granted by the Director, the stipend will be prorated accordingly.

How will I be reimbursed for travel related to my taking up the fellowship?

Dumbarton Oaks reimburses travel directly related to taking up the fellowship, up to a maximum of $1,600 for international travel or $1,100 for U.S. domestic travel. (Travel submitted for reimbursement must take place close to the start and end dates of the fellowship.) Tickets obtained with airline frequent-flyer miles (or other points or incentive programs) are not reimbursable. The travel reimbursement applies to the lowest roundtrip economy-class airfare between the Fellow’s home and Washington, D.C.; or train fare/auto mileage, not to exceed the cost of the lowest available airfare. Accommodations and meals are not reimbursable. Travel reimbursement is payable upon submission of a reimbursement form with all original receipts and boarding passes. The reimbursement will be processed within four to six weeks of receipt of all required forms, and will be issued in the form of a check in U.S. currency. Dumbarton Oaks will reimburse the cost of the Fellow’s visa SEVIS fee, as part of the travel reimbursement request, though we are not able to reimburse visa fees or any other travel expenses incurred by any dependents traveling with the Fellow.

Will I be provided with housing?

Fellows are normally assigned a furnished apartment near the campus. When Dumbarton Oaks cannot offer housing, it reserves the right to offer a set monthly housing allowance instead. All allocations of housing or a housing allowance are final and at the discretion of Dumbarton Oaks.

What household items are provided?

The apartments are fully furnished. Basic bed linens (two sets), towels (two sets), dinnerware, glassware, pots, pans, and kitchen utensils are provided. Laundry facilities are available on site.  Each kitchen is equipped with a stove, refrigerator, and microwave. Communal vacuum cleaners are provided for on each apartment floor. Fellows are responsible for purchasing other cleaning supplies as needed, and maintaining the apartments in good order. Any additional, personal items brought or purchased by the fellows must be removed upon their departure. Fellows will receive a detailed apartment inventory prior to their arrival, or may request one from the Fellowship Office.

Are there exercise facilities nearby?

The Fellowship House is equipped with a gym for the use of fellows while in residence. All users must sign a waiver before using the gym.

Will I be assigned a workspace?

Fellows are assigned, for the duration of their award, either an office or a designated carrel in the Research Library (or comparable facilities elsewhere on campus, as appropriate). Offices and carrels are equipped with phones. All assignments are final.

Will I be offered computer equipment?

Fellows are not provided with computers and should arrange to bring their personal laptop.

Is lunch provided?

Fellows are provided with lunch free of charge in the Refectory on weekdays for the duration of their fellowship (with the exception of institutional closures). Dumbarton Oaks emphasizes community and a good deal of informal contact takes place at lunchtime. When the Refectory is not open, fellows are expected to make their own arrangements.

While in residence, Fellows may bring their partner to lunch on Fridays as their guest, with advance registration and payment. Dumbarton Oaks reserves the right to change the Refectory guest policy depending on the availability of seating.

Can I bring my family?

Dumbarton Oaks strives to be welcoming to families. The new Fellowship House is very close to the campus and the public library, public transport, a supermarket, and many businesses. We do our best to accommodate partners (spouses or registered domestic partners) and children (minors), provided that they are declared at the time of the November application. Any subsequent requests to bring companions to Dumbarton Oaks will not be accommodated, except in truly exceptional circumstances and solely at the discretion of Dumbarton Oaks. Our housing is limited and our first priority must always be to accommodate Fellows.

Fellows with partners and children who are declared at the time of the November application receive accommodations on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on availability. We regret that we may not be able to fulfill all requests. Occasionally, we reserve the right to decline housing partners and children when resources are scarce, or to offer a set housing allowance instead of accommodations.

Due to IRS and medical insurance requirements, we can consider providing visa sponsorship and medical insurance only to legal partners (spouses or registered domestic partners) and dependents. Requests for visa sponsorship and medical insurance for legal partners and dependents must be consistent with what was indicated at the time of application, and must be made at the time of acceptance of the fellowship offer.

Does Dumbarton Oaks provide health insurance for fellows and accompanying family members?

Fellows are eligible for the Dumbarton Oaks Blue Choice HMO Open Access plan and the cost is shared by Dumbarton Oaks and the Fellow. (Fellows currently pay 15% of the cost.) Coverage is for the period of residence rounded to the nearest month, effective the first day of the Fellowship appointment until the last day of the month in which the appointment ends. Prorated premiums are not accepted: if the Fellowship begins in the middle of the month, the full month’s premium must be paid. Family coverage includes the legal spouse or partner and dependent children if the names are declared at the time of the fellowship application. Fellows who opt out of the Dumbarton Oaks health insurance option must submit to the Fellowship Office an insurance waiver and proof of alternative health insurance at least one month prior to the beginning of their Fellowship term.

International fellows on the J visa who do not wish to join the Dumbarton Oaks health care plan must provide proof of medical insurance that meets the following criteria:

  • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
  • Repatriation in the amount of $25,000
  • Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
  • A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

Can I bring my pet?

Pets are prohibited in all Dumbarton Oaks accommodations. Fellows traveling with certified service animals must contact the Fellowship Office at the time of acceptance of the fellowship offer.

Is there a smoking policy?

Dumbarton Oaks is a smoking-free campus: smoking is prohibited in all Dumbarton Oaks buildings and on the grounds, including the gardens. Fellows who do not comply with the non-smoking policy may have their fellowship revoked, and charges will be applied if accommodations need to be cleaned.

Can I bring my car?

Dumbarton Oaks is located in an urban neighborhood with easy access to public transport, and close proximity to grocery and other stores. Fellowship House accommodations are very close to the Library and other amenities. The Fellowship House and Dumbarton Oaks buildings provide bicycle racks, and rental bicycles are readily available in the vicinity.

Fellows are strongly discouraged from bringing a car to Dumbarton Oaks, and parking is extremely scarce. The few parking spaces that may be available will be assigned, in order of priority, to Fellows requiring accommodations under the terms of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), fellows who live within 70 miles of Dumbarton Oaks and therefore do not receive housing; and families with young children.

Fellows who believe they qualify for consideration for a parking spot should inquire with the Fellowship Office at the time of the acceptance of the offer. All parking allocations are at the discretion of Dumbarton Oaks depending on availability. Dumbarton Oaks reserves the right to revoke parking privileges at any time.

What is the guest policy?

Dumbarton Oaks accommodations are intended for the benefit of scholars conducting research at Dumbarton Oaks. Fellows may receive guests in the Fellowship House for a maximum of one week per term or two weeks per academic year, and by prior application to the Fellowship Office at least two weeks before guests are due to arrive. Dumbarton Oaks reserves the right to change the guest policy at any time.

I am not a U.S. citizen. Will I need a visa?

Yes. Dumbarton Oaks sponsors J1 visas for both summer and academic year fellows (and, when possible, J2 visas for accompanying legal dependents) who meet the following requirements from the state department website: http://j1visa.state.gov/programs/professor-and-research-scholar. Determining visa eligibility is the responsibility of the prospective fellow; all non-U.S. citizens are strongly urged to check their prospective visa status for the requested period of the Fellowship prior to submitting an application.

Please note that regular and junior fellows are given the “Research Scholar” designation for their participation in our program. Summer fellows are given the "Short-term Scholar" designation. Dumbarton Oaks offers sponsorship of legal dependents (spouse or legal domestic partner; children who are minors) as a convenience to fellows, but does not reimburse SEVIS fees or travel for dependents.

What is the process for obtaining a visa?

The visa process has four main steps, and typically takes six to eight weeks:

  1. Fill out a J1 visa eligibility form provided by Dumbarton Oaks and submit to the Manager of Academic Programs (FellowshipPrograms@doaks.org).
  2. Receive your DS-2019 form from Dumbarton Oaks and make an online payment of the Sevis fee.
  3. Schedule an appointment with your local U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as possible; appointment times are often not readily available.

Receive your physical visa at the embassy or consulate interview appointment.

How long before my J-1 program starts can I arrive in the United States?  How long can I remain after my program ends?

You may not arrive more than 30 days before the program start date shown on your DS-2019.  Upon completion of your exchange program, you have a grace period of 30 days to depart the United States. The program dates on your DS-2019 correspond with the dates of your fellowship term.

What are the travel requirements for the J visa?

Fellows on a J-1 Visa and their legal dependents on J-2 Visas, sponsored by Dumbarton Oaks, must obtain the Manager of Academic Program’s signature on their DS-2019 form before leaving Dumbarton Oaks for any international travel during their Fellowship, in order to be able to re-enter the country. Fellows are responsible for making appropriate arrangements to have their form signed with ample notice given to the Fellowship Program Officer, and during normal Dumbarton Oaks working hours. Dumbarton Oaks is not responsible for any disruption to Fellows’ travel or re-entry arrangements resulting from failure to obtain a signed DS-2019 form.

I am currently on an F1 visa. Do I need to apply for J1 visa sponsorship?

Usually no. Junior fellows may continue on their university’s F1 visa sponsorship for the duration of their fellowship, but must alert their institution’s visa sponsorship office.

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.


This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

https://www.doaks.org/research/support-for-research/fellowships/terms

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Disciplines

History

Humanities

Study Levels

Research

Opportunity Types

Fellowships

Eligible Countries

International

Host Countries

United States