FAQ
Fellowships
Does AIBS offer Fellowships for non-U.S. Citizens?
Yes and No. Last year, the Government of Bangladesh, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (GoB, MoFA) gave AIBS grant money to support Bangladesh citizens/scholars for their research. In August 2017, MOFA did not renew its funding commitment to AIBS. Therefore, at this time, there are no funds for Fellowships for Bangladesh citizens/scholars. During a typical year, AIBS Fellowships are available only to U.S. citizens who are Individual Members of AIBS. Instructions for how to become an Individual Member can be found here.
Why do I have to pay a $250 Administrative Fee in order to receive a fellowship?
AIBS Fellowships (for US Citizens) are offered to applicants from US member institutions. If your institution is not a member, then the fellow will be required to pay the Administrative Fee that member institutions pay. If your institution is already a member of AIBS, this fee is waived. In addition, if your institution applies for Membership prior to the start of your research, this fee will be waived.
When is the fellowship application deadline for US Citizens?
The fellowship application deadline is typically sometime in September in any given year. This year, it is December 31, 2017. Travel for fellowships should begin in the spring or summer of the following year. Keep in mind that getting approved visas are taking more time than usual, so plan accordingly and start the affiliation and visa process right away.
When will decisions be made about fellowships?
Decisions will be made approximately two months after the application deadline.
How will awardees receive their funds?
Fellows will receive their funds directly from AIBS. Please contact [email protected] if you have specific questions regarding your funds.
Can letters of recommendation arrive after the fellowship application deadline?
Please encourage your references to submit their letters as soon as possible. At the deadline, an application without references will be processed pending the letters of recommendation. If the letters do not arrive by the time the applications are ready for review, your application may not be included in the review process. The timely arrival of all supporting documents is looked on favorably by reviewers.
Can letters of reference be sent to the AIBS office?
No, letters of reference should be uploaded directly to the applicant’s online application form. When an applicant fills out the application, he/she will have an opportunity to send an email directly to the references with instructions on how to submit the letters.
Can I apply for an AIBS fellowship even though I am currently not All But Dissertation (ABD), but will shortly become ABD?
Yes, applicants may apply prior to becoming ABD, but must be ABD at the time of their fellowship.
Travel Grants/Research Presentation Subsidies
How do I apply for a Travel Grant/RPS?
All Travel Grant/RPS applications should be submitted using the online form. The form, with instructions and deadlines, can be obtained by emailing [email protected] and requesting a travel grant application.
If I know I am going to a conference, how far in advance can I apply for a Travel Grant/RPS?
All Travel Grant/RPS applications are due by either October 1 or February 1. The October 1 deadline is for conferences in the Fall Semester of the same year, and the February 1 deadline is for those conferences in the Spring Semester of the same year.
Studying Bangla
How do I apply to study Bangla in Dhaka?
Bangla language study is offered through SASLI and the Critical Languages Scholarship Program. For application information for SASLI, please click here. For CLS, please visit the CLS website.Â