The Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study (NDIAS) is dedicated to
fostering and supporting integrative scholarship addressing ultimate
questions at the intersection of the arts, engineering, humanities, law,
and natural, physical, and social sciences, especially those which
transcend disciplinary boundaries.
The NDIAS encourages graduate student applicants to include questions
of values in their analyses, to integrate diverse disciplines, and to
ask how their findings advance civilization. The Institute offers its
fellows the opportunity to engage not only in analysis but also in
evaluating what should be done, to analyze the world in substantive and
collaborative ways, and to think through the implications of present
behavior for the future of the world.
As a collaborative academic community, the Institute cultivates the
contemplative ideal that is an essential factor in the Catholic
intellectual tradition and vital for the progression of scholarship. The
greatest advances do not occur in solitude, but in the company of
others who share a passion for advancement and are open to dialogue and
collaboration.
Research Support
The NDIAS offers fellowships to advanced graduate students for a full
academic year (fall and spring semesters, August through May). The
Institute also encourages graduate students to address ultimate
questions and questions of value while a member of the Institute’s
academic community.
Graduate fellowships range up to a maximum of $25,000 (gross amount)
and include a $1,000 research account, office facilities in the
Institute, a computer and printer, access to University libraries and
other facilities, and weekly Institute seminars and events.
The Institute does not provide medical insurance to graduate student
fellows; appropriate individual arrangements must be made for coverage
during the fellowship period. Additional information about medical
insurance is available on the Information for Incoming Fellows Before Arrival page.
Eligibility
The Institute welcomes applications from graduate students in all
disciplines, including the arts, engineering, the humanities, law, and
the social and physical sciences with projects that are creative,
innovative, or align with the intellectual orientation of the Notre Dame
Institute for Advanced Study. Graduate students from all institutions
are invited to apply.
The Institute seeks applicants with:
- excellent records of scholarly, artistic, or research accomplishment in their field(s);
- projects that touch on normative, integrative, or ultimate questions, especially as they engage the Catholic intellectual tradition;
- projects characterized by clarity of thought, coherence, and impact;
- the ability to interact with other fellows and to engage in collegial discussions of research presentations; and
- a willingness to contribute to a cooperative community of scholars.
One goal of the fellowship selection process is the creation of a
diverse and collaborative community of scholars. Applicants who are
members of traditionally under-represented groups are encouraged to
apply. There are no citizenship requirements for fellowships; non-U.S.
nationals are welcome to apply.
Fellowship Expectations
The Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study is a residential institute
that values collegial interaction and a vibrant intellectual exchange on
major issues and questions of value. The greatest advances do not occur
in solitude, but in the company of others who share a passion for
advancement and are open to dialogue and collaboration.
Fellows are expected to be free of their regular commitments and to
have their primary office at the Institute so they may devote themselves
full time to the work outlined in their proposal and participate fully
in the engaging and cooperative community of scholars at the Institute.
All NDIAS Fellows are expected to reside in the South Bend area and to
remain in residence at the University of Notre Dame during the period of
their fellowship (except for vacation periods, holidays, and University
breaks). To facilitate their creativity and productivity, Fellows
attend weekly seminars and events hosted by the Institute, present their
research twice each semester at the Institute’s weekly seminars, and
engage the University community intellectually in a distinctive and
appropriate manner.
While in residence, NDIAS Fellows are invited to actively participate
in the intellectual and cultural community at Notre Dame. Additionally,
there are many opportunities to engage with colleagues and scholars from
the University of Notre Dame, from universities in Chicago and nearby,
and with guest speakers through the Institute’s additional events.
Fellows are asked to continue the tradition of participating in NDIAS sponsored events including conferences and symposia.
Evaluation of Applications
Fellowship applications are evaluated with great care and at several levels of review to ensure objectivity and consistency.
Fellowship applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:
- the academic strength of the proposal;
- the clarity and compelling nature of relevant methodologies and project organization and objectives, as explained in the proposal;
- the applicant’s ability to address major questions, meta issues, and questions of value;
- the potential for producing significant research;
- how the proposed research aligns with the intellectual parameters of the Institute;
- the applicant’s ability to contribute to a cooperative community of interdisciplinary scholars, as explained in their letters of reference; and
- the significance of the research proposed by each applicant vis-Ã -vis other proposals submitted.
Because of the numerous criteria involved in selecting fellows,
application files are reviewed and evaluated by leading scholars in the
respective disciplines and fields, serving as external reviewers.
The final major review, conducted by the Institute’s Selection Committee
(which is made up of an interdisciplinary group of scholars), consists
of a thorough review of applications as well as the evaluation of
internal and external reviewers. This committee is charged with making
final recommendations on the selection of NDIAS Fellows.
Questions about NDIAS fellowships should be directed to Carolyn Sherman, Programs Administrator, at csherman@nd.edu.
