Jefferson Fellowship
The focus of the Jefferson Fellowship, developed in close partnership with GSAS administration, is designed to ensure that outstanding graduate students at UVA have the opportunity to complete ambitious dissertations, engage with an interdisciplinary community of scholars, and launch distinguished careers.
Fellowship Overview
Jefferson Fellows receive one year of support, including:
- A living stipend equivalent to the standard departmental stipend
- Research funds up to $2,500
- Tuition and fees
- Health insurance (medical and dental)
In addition, Fellows are:
- Relieved of departmental teaching requirements
- Invited to hold office space in the Foundation’s Fellows Center
- Given the opportunity to present their research to a broad audience
- Able to complete their ambitious dissertations
Nomination for a Jefferson Fellowship
The Foundation will begin accepting nominations for the Fellowship in mid-December. Please contact the Director of Graduate Studies in your department to express interest in being nominated.
Requirements
Those selected for the Jefferson Fellowship will exhibit capacity for the highest levels of scholastic achievement and will be in the process of completing ambitious dissertation projects that have the potential to transform their disciplines.
Nominees must be Ph.D. candidates in a Graduate School of Arts & Sciences department and be able to demonstrate substantial progress on their dissertation. Students must be nominated by their department’s Director of Graduate Studies in the year prior to their final year of financial support that was offered to them upon admission.
If you have any questions about the requirements to apply, please contact us.
Materials
The application consists of the following materials and must conform to the state page limits:
- Statement from the department chair or director of graduate studies confirming that the applicant is on track to receive their Ph.D. within 18 months of the start of the fellowship
- Academic plan and timeline towards completion of dissertation
- Abstract from dissertation (one page single-spaced)
- Transcript (which may be unofficial) of all graduate course work
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- One letter of recommendation from a faculty member familiar with the applicant’s experience and potential as a teacher, and the strength of the dissertation research
- Sample chapter from the proposed dissertation is strongly recommended, but not required
Deadline and Selection
The full nomination with supporting materials is due by January 30, 2026. The Director of Graduate Studies for each eligible department will receive information on submitting these materials to the Foundation.
Nominations will be reviewed by a committee of collegiate faculty, advanced degree holders, and subject matter experts in a variety of fields. A select group of nominees will be invited to participate in a presentation and interview in mid-March. Recipients will be announced shortly after the interviews.
