US/ED Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowships

The US Department of Education (US/ED) Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowships provide opportunities for PhD candidates to engage in full-time dissertation research abroad in less commonly taught modern foreign languages and non-Western-European area studies. The fellowship supports international travel to and from the country of research; maintenance and dependent(s) allowance based on the location of research; an allowance for research-related expenses overseas; and health and accident insurance premium. The fellowship period is no less than six months and no more than twelve months.

Eligibility Criteria:

• US citizen or permanent resident (Important Note: Dual citizens and permanent residents may not conduct DDRA-funded research in their country of citizenship.)
• Currently enrolled as a PhD student in good standing at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
• Working on a dissertation topic that substantively engages with one or more of the listed world regions; utilizes one or more foreign languages spoken in the region; and requires in-person research outside the United States: Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, the Near East, Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and the Western Hemisphere (excluding the United States and its territories).
• Be advanced to PhD candidacy by the beginning of the fellowship period
• Planning a teaching career in the United States or other profession in areas of national need upon completion of the PhD
• Sufficient foreign language skills to carry out proposed dissertation research project

Application Process:

The DDRA Fellowship Program operates as an institutional grant program where the University of Michigan is the grant applicant to US/ED. The International Institute coordinates the institutional application on behalf of U-M, and receives and reviews individual PhD student applications prior to incorporating them into the institutional application. All student application materials are submitted online to the International Institute.

The FY2025 competition cycle is currently open with the U-M Campus Deadline on January 2, 2025. Awards for this competition cycle may be used for in-country fieldwork beginning in January 2026 and ending in March 2027. Applicants may request at least 6 and no more than 12 consecutive months of in-country fieldwork to take place during this period.

Required application materials include an online application form, project narrative (max 10 pages, double-spaced), bibliography (max 2 pages), curriculum vitae, three academic recommendations (one must come from dissertation chair), language evaluation(s), official transcripts, and host institution invitation letter(s). All application materials, including academic recommendations and language evaluations, are due by the U-M Campus Deadline. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to inform II Fellowships and Grants of their interest in applying by completing the DDRA Declaration of Intent to Apply form, meet with the DDRA Program Advisor, and to begin preparing their application materials well in advance of the competition opening. See the Advising section for how to schedule an appointment.

Advising: DDRA Program Advisor is available to meet with PhD students to discuss fellowship requirements and the application process. Follow this link to schedule an advising appointment.

U-M Campus Deadlines:

Declaration of Intent to Apply: December 1, 2024

Mandatory Budget Check: December 15, 2024

Final Student Application (all materials including recommendations): January 2, 2025, 8am EST

Contact: iifellowships@umich.edu