Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply?
First-year students enrolled in the School of Foreign Service (SFS) are eligible to apply. While students were previously required to be nominated by their Proseminar faculty, now any SFS professor can complete a recommendation form, and students can self-apply through the GMS platform. Professors can access the recommendation form via a direct link provided in the application instructions, and students will be able to share that link with their faculty recommender.
How do I apply?
Eligible students can self-apply by submitting an application through GMS. Applications open in December, giving first-year students time to build relationships with faculty and complete their first semester of coursework. Both the student’s application in GMS and a recommendation form from an SFS professor must be submitted for the application to be considered complete.
When is the deadline?
Applications will open on December 20, 2024, and close on January 31, 2025.
What happens next?
A selection committee will review applications, and students will be notified of their admission decision by mid-Spring semester. Once onboarded, research can start before the summer break and resume in the fall.
How many students will be selected?
Six first-year students will be selected each year.
What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship spans the remainder of the student’s undergraduate career. Fellows progressively build research skills their sophomore year and transition to independent research by their junior or senior year. This rare four-year timeline allows for a strong mentor-mentee relationship to develop.
How is the fellowship structured?
Fellows will begin as research assistants, working closely with their faculty mentor on assigned tasks to develop foundational research skills. Over time, students will transition to independent research projects, especially as their research interests evolve.
What kinds of research duties will fellows engage in?
Fellows assist professors with tasks such as literature collection, writing literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, summarizing research materials, and editing written work. They may also attend faculty seminars and conferences. Research duties will adapt based on the mentor’s needs and the Fellow’s developing skills.
What is the time commitment?
Fellows are expected to work eight to fifteen hours per week during the academic year. This is a significant time commitment, so students should plan accordingly.
Is the fellowship paid?
Yes, Fellows receive an hourly wage. Additional funds for research materials, books, software, and conference costs are available as needed and on a case-by-case basis.
Will the students present and publish their research?
Sophomore and senior Fellows present their research at the annual Mortara Undergraduate Research Symposium in May, developing their presentation skills and sharing their findings. Fellows are also encouraged to participate in other research activities and public forums at Georgetown and beyond.
Students are not expected to publish their research in the first year. Publishing takes time and dedication, but with support from their faculty mentor, Fellows can explore opportunities to publish in undergraduate research journals, especially in their junior and senior years.