2013-2014 FRANCE-STANFORD CENTER VISITING GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCHER FELLOWSHIPS

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: JANUARY 31, 2013.

The France-Stanford Center for Interdisciplinary Studies is pleased to announce the creation of The FSCIS Visiting Student Researcher Fellowships for Graduate Students.

1. OBJECTIVE

The France-Stanford Center for Interdisciplinary Studies aims to bridge the disciplines of the Humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, business and law, addressing historical and contemporary issues of significance for France and the United States from a broad range of perspectives. Its programs bring faculty members, researchers and students from across Stanford's departments and schools into contact with colleagues in France, to explore issues of common intellectual concern, to advance collaborative research, and to foster interdisciplinary inquiry. The France-Stanford Center sponsors high quality collaborative research projects likely to foster new linkages and deepen existing connections between French scholars and students and their counterparts at Stanford University.

Please note that applicants for the Center’s collaborative research funds (see http://francestanford.stanford.edu/collaborative_projects) are strongly encouraged to submit a separate application for a Visiting Student Researcher Fellowship in order to fund the participation of a graduate student in the proposed collaborative research project. Both applications should be submitted at the same time. Fellowship funds are, however, in no way limited to applicants for collaborative research funds. Any interested graduate student is invited to apply.

2. ELIGIBILITY

Applicants for the Visiting Student Research Fellowship must be graduate students – i.e., they must be pursuing either a master’s or doctoral degree. Visiting Student Researcher Fellowships are available to French students interested in pursuing a course of research at Stanford, or to Stanford students interested in undertaking research or pursuing an internship at a French institution (including universities, non-governmental organizations, and corporations, to name but a few).
Pursuant to Stanford University policy, Visiting Student Researchers are prohibited from registering for Stanford courses for academic credit and from attending classes.

3. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants should submit the following documents:

  • Completed application forms (including itemized budget).
  • Letter to the France-Stanford Center Director describing the applicant’s research interests and plans during the proposed visit to Stanford or to a French institution (including inter alia, universities, NGOs and corporations). The letter should identify the particular individuals with whom the applicant will be working, including one who agrees to serve as the official “sponsor”. The letter should also indicate the proposed length of stay (between two to four months) and discuss ways in which the applicant’s research and educational objectives will further the goals of the France-Stanford Center for Interdisciplinary Studies.
  • Recommendation letter from the applicant’s home advisor, discussing the applicant and the merits of the proposed visit.
  • Letter from the individual serving as the official sponsor, explaining the nature of the applicant’s proposed research/work activities and plans to full incorporate him/her into the host environment.
  • Applicant’s CV.

Important Cautionary Note for French Visitors:

Please note that the application procedures outlined above are those for the fellowship offered by the France-Stanford Center.  All non-Stanford graduate students seeking to do research at Stanford must obtain separate and independent approval from the Graduate Admissions Office.  Procedures for obtaining this separate approval are listed at: http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/registrar/staff/visiting-researchers

4. TUITION FOR FRENCH VISITORS TO STANFORD

French Visiting Student Researchers to Stanford are required to pay a monthly tuition of $894 per month. For this reason, French students applying for a Visiting Student Researcher Fellowship in order to pursue research at Stanford will receive additional funding intended to cover the full cost of this tuition for up to a three-month period (thus providing partial coverage should the applicant propose a visit of up to four months). Please see details below.

5. FEES AND PRIVILEGES FOR FRENCH VISITORS TO STANFORD 

Fees and privileges for French visitors to Stanford
French visitors to Stanford should be aware that Stanford charges Visiting Student Researchers a number of administrative fees. The combined total of these fees is less than $250, such that any fellowship grant awarded by the Center is more than sufficient to cover them.

Visiting Student Researchers are entitled to receive a student photo identification card, which permits use of the University Library, recreational facilities, and Vaden Student Health services. Visiting Student Researchers are eligible for an email account at no charge and may open full-service computer accounts for which the University charges a modest monthly or quarterly fee.

Please note that fees and privileges are determined by the University and cannot be modified at the discretion of the France-Stanford Center.  Details can be found at: http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/registrar/staff/visiting-researchers

6. HOUSING INFORMATION FOR FRENCH VISITORS TO STANFORD 

The France-Stanford Center staff is unable to assist visitors with finding housing. Graduate student housing is available for Visiting Student Researchers only after all matriculated Stanford students have obtained housing. Given that student housing is extremely limited, it is best for planning purposes to assume that student housing will not be available. See Stanford Student Housing and local listings, including Craigslist. 

7. FUNDING

Visiting student researchers are expected to pursue projects that will take on the order of 2 to 4 months to complete.  The maximum funding available for Stanford students seeking to do research in France is $7,000.  However, French students seeking to do research at Stanford may apply for an additional  $894 per month in order to cover monthly tuition up to a total of $2,682 (namely, 3 full months of tuition payments). As indicated in the application materials, please submit an itemized budget.

8. DEADLINE

Please submit the application materials by January 31, 2013.

Late applications are unlikely to be accepted. Notification of fellow recipients will occur in the spring.

9. QUESTIONS

Questions about becoming a Visiting Scholar can be directed to the Center’s Director, Amalia Kessler (akessler [at] law.stanford.edu) or the Program Coordinator, Isabelle Collignon (isabelle [at] stanford.edu).