Details

The highly competitive Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Program supports PhD students pursuing research in modern foreign languages and area studies in countries outside of the United States. The Einaudi Center will shepherd you through the full application process, beginning with your intent to apply.

Please note that your proposal and budget need to be approved by our Fulbright faculty project director: David Holmberg will review your materials, offer guidance, and work with you through the application process. 

Deadlines

• Intent to apply: November 15, 2024
• Cornell application: January 1, 2025

Fulbright Facts

One in three of Cornell’s Fulbright-Hays applicants wins an award. The national average is only one in ten. 

The Einaudi Center has managed Cornell’s Fulbright-Hays applications since 2000, ushering over 200 applications through the process and sending doctoral students to Myanmar, Japan, South Africa, Brazil, and beyond. Successful students grow their language proficiency, engage with other cultures, and leave the program with significant dissertation research completed.  

What is the Fulbright-Hays Program?

The Fulbright-Hays DDRA Program provides grants to colleges and universities to fund individual doctoral students. Funded students conduct research in other countries in modern foreign languages and area studies for periods of six to twelve months. Unlike the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Fulbright-Hays DDRA provides significant support for research activities.  

The program seeks to increase the number of PhDs in the United States with a knowledge of one or more of the “lesser-taught” languages and of related countries or regions.  

More about the Fulbright-Hays DDRA Program

Students may propose research for six to twelve months. Funding cannot be renewed at the end of the award period.  

Eligibility

Cornell doctoral candidates studying modern foreign languages and area studies are eligible. In addition, you must fulfill these criteria: 

• You are a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident who plans on a teaching career in the United States.
• You have the necessary foreign language skills for your research project.
• You will pass your A exam before the beginning of the fellowship. 

How to Apply

Email us with your intent to apply. Include your net ID, department, chair of your graduate committee, and the country to which you are applying. You will work with the Einaudi Center to develop your application, which you will submit to the Department of Education. Applicants must apply through Cornell and meet the university's submission deadline. 

Details

Shape the careers of undergraduate researchers and leaders as a graduate mentor for the Laidlaw Scholars Program.

As a graduate mentor, you will support up to five Laidlaw scholars as they complete a summer research project, ongoing leadership training, and a summer leadership in action experience. Through individual mentorship and small group facilitation, you develop relationships with students and enhance your mentorship skills.

In addition to receiving a stipend, you receive five hours of training from the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement.

Amount

Graduate mentors receive a stipend of $1,500 paid in four installments over the 20-month duration of the program.

Eligibility

You must be a Cornell graduate student with research experience, preferably international. Previous experience providing mentorship to students, navigating conflict management, and managing your time effectively is required.

Experience facilitating community-engaged learning experiences, including orienting yourself to a new community, exploring social identities, and ethical principles of community partnerships, is preferred.

Requirements

• Commit to mentoring scholars for the entirety of the 20-month program, from April 2023 to November 2024. Mentors are needed on campus from June 5 to July 14, 2023.
• Attend all training and workshop sessions.
• Meet regularly with your Laidlaw scholars and program staff members.

How to Apply

Submit your application, including the following:

• Résumé (no more than two pages)
• Personal statement that speaks to your experiences with international engagement, mentoring students, community-based research, leadership development, and/or community-engaged learning (no more than 500 words)
• One Cornell faculty reference

Questions? Contact Laidlaw Coordinator Kristin Ramsay. 

Details

This Department of Education program supports faculty conducting international research in modern foreign languages and area studies. The Einaudi Center will assist you through the application process, beginning with your intent to apply. 

Start your application by emailing our Fulbright project director, David Holmberg, to indicate intent to apply. Please note that your application must be submitted through the university and have your department chair's approval.

What is the Fulbright-Hays Program?

The Fulbright-Hays FRA Program provides grants to colleges and universities to fund individual faculty members. Funded faculty conduct research in other countries in modern foreign languages and area studies for periods of three to twelve months.

Details

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program sends U.S. citizens to more than 160 countries to study, research, and teach English abroad. With a unique focus on mutual understanding between people of different backgrounds and cultures, the program offers the freedom to curate your experience as you engage with your host community.  

The Einaudi Center provides counseling, essay feedback, and application support to help your Fulbright application succeed, even if you are preparing your application at a distance as a study abroad student or recent graduate. Our Fulbright advisor offers guidance throughout the year and hosts info sessions about Fulbright opportunities each semester.  

Fulbright Facts

Cornell University is a Fulbright Top Producing Institution. One in four Cornell applicants wins an award. The national average is only one in six. This is how Cornell has sent over 500 students across the globe as part of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program since the 1940s.

Fulbrighters from Cornell have traveled to more than one hundred countries, studying topics ranging from court efficiency in Zambia to gender-based inequalities in India. Many have taught English abroad and attended international graduate programs in other languages.

Application Opens

March 31, 2025

Deadline

August 22, 2025

Eligibility

United States citizens in any field of study are eligible. In addition, you must fulfill one of the following criteria:

• You will graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Cornell before September of the award year.
• You are currently a Cornell graduate student.
• You are a young professional who graduated from Cornell within the past five years.

Day in the Life: U.S. Student Program

How to Apply 

Cornell applicants must apply through the Cornell Fulbright Program, managed by the Einaudi Center. Reach out to our Fulbright advisor to get started. We provide counseling, essay reviews, and application support to all applicants, including study abroad students and alumni, for every type of application.