Graduate School

Interdisciplinary Opportunities

Brown offers interdisciplinary opportunities to support advanced graduate students in the humanities and social sciences. These opportunities provide an enhanced context for advanced doctoral students, allowing them to engage in the activities of interdisciplinary Centers and Institutes at Brown.

They are designed to embed students in a community of scholars, with professional development and research opportunities, in order to support students as they complete their degrees and launch their careers.

The Graduate School anticipates supporting approximately 16 fellows through this initiative each year, with most Centers and Institutes hosting one fellow.

Only students in the humanities and social sciences who will be entering their fifth- or sixth-year of doctoral study in 2025-2026 are eligible. (Students who are off-cycle are eligible one semester earlier, as rising 4.5 or 5.5 students.) Interested students should submit the Interdisciplinary Opportunity Application to the Graduate School (through UFunds under “Graduate School Humanities and Social Sciences Advanced Student Funding"). Please review the descriptions for each opportunity below, as some programs may require additional application materials. Students who have previously held an Interdisciplinary Opportunities position are not eligible.

Application Components

  • For students submitting applications to two centers, two applications are required.
  • Student Application in UFUNDS includes:
    - Dissertation Project Description
    - Dissertation Completion Plan
    - CV or Graduate School Digital CV
  • Recommender form in UFUNDS (applicant enters the appropriate email addresses; recommenders will receive an email with the form):
    - Faculty Advisor: Brief letter of Support
    - DGS: Brief Message of Support and Confirmation of Good Standing
  • Deadline to apply: June 16, 2025 (at 5:00 pm)

Application

2025-2026 Opportunities