Equity and Diversity Social Science Doctoral Fellowship (EDSSDF)

Applications will open in May 2022, pending approval by the Board of Governors

Contact: Jamie Baxter (Associate Dean)

Jan 5, 2022

Description

The Faculty of Social Science is committed to increasing representation of racialized and other historically marginalized groups. It is a Faculty priority to recruit and support students who are Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), LGBTQ2s+, and students with a disability. Successful applicants will demonstrate outstanding research potential and dedication to scholarly activity, which come in many forms. We annually offer up to two $20,000 scholarships ($5,000 per year for four years) to support successful applicants to any of our PhD programs. Indigenous scholars may also apply to our Indigenous Social Science Doctoral Fellowship (ISSDF).

Value

  • One award with a total value of $20,000 ($5,000/year for four years)
  • These awards are on top of Departmental funding and not subject to any downward adjustments

Effective Date

  • May 2022 (Applications will open in May 2022, pending approval by the Board of Governors)

Eligibility

  • Applicants must self-identify as Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), LGBTQ2s+, or having a disability
  • Applicants must be admitted to a Faculty of Social Science PhD program at Western to take up the award
  • Those who earn awards can self-declare whether they want to be named in any announcements about the award

Award timeline

Application

September to February

  • Each PhD applicant will be contacted at least twice by the department and encouraged to apply. First, when they submit their complete application. Second, when they are officially accepted into one of the Faculty’s PhD programs
  • The fellowship application is separate from the application to the program
  • The application consists of:
    • Statement (1000 words max) that includes:
      • Personal journey/path to the PhD
      • Your suitability for this award
    • Summary of the proposed thesis research
    • CV
    • Two letters of reference
  • The information provided for this scholarship will only be viewed by those involved in the adjudication process and kept strictly confidential

Adjudication

Adjudication is at the Faculty level. The core selection criteria are research potential and dedication to scholarly activity. The Faculty EDSSDF Adjudication Committee is chaired by the Associate Dean Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and will consist of faculty-member representation across the Faculty’s departments and the equity-deserving groups intended for this award.

Fourth week in February to first week March

  • The EDSSDF Adjudication Committee members are asked to score each applicant

Second week in March

  • The Chair of the EDSSDF Adjudication Committee sends the members the overall scoring for the cohort of applicants in a ranked list. A meeting is held if necessary, to identify the awardee

Third week in March

  • Program notifies awardee

Last week in March

  • Awardee notifies program about acceptance of award

First week in April

  • Awardee posted to scholarship page with permission