Doctoral Student Policy Fellowship

GADE Community, 

On behalf of the GADE Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce our partnership with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) to launch the inaugural Social Work Doctoral Student Policy Fellowship which will begin accepting applications for this opportunity to connect social work research with policymaking in Washington, D.C. throughout the 2022-23 academic year.

Please see the call for applications below and share broadly with your students.

In Service,
Denise

Denise Burnette, PhD, MSSW, MS
President
Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work

2022-23 Doctoral Student Policy Fellowship
Application Deadline: Friday, September 9, 2022

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR), and Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE) announce the inaugural Social Work Doctoral Student Policy Fellowship which will begin accepting applications for this opportunity to connect social work research with policymaking in Washington, D.C. throughout the 2022-23 academic year. This virtual opportunity does not require the fellow to relocate to the Washington, D.C. area. Fellows will work closely with policy practitioners to translate their research agenda into policy proposals or briefs; will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the authorization process; will be able to effectively communicate complex social welfare concepts through advocacy materials, policy briefs, or policy one-pagers; and, will expand their professional networks through a mentorship process.

Program Purpose

The objectives of the CSWE-SSWR-GADE Social Work Doctoral Student Policy Forum & Fellowship are to:

1. Create an opportunity for doctoral students to make a stronger link between their research and policy;
2. Expose social work researchers to the ways their research experience and backgrounds are used by practitioners in government to influence and inform policy;
3. Promote the value and significance of investments in social work and social work research on Capitol Hill, and;
4. Cultivate a cadre of social work researchers who can both advocate for investments in social work education and research, as well as disseminate this information amongst their communities of practice.

Guidelines

Eligibility (Updated 09/06): Applicants must be currently enrolled doctoral students at a US domestic higher education institution.  They must be at least in their second year of coursework and in the pre-dissertation phase of their program during the 2022-23 academic year. Doctoral students who have taken their comprehensive exams and/or who have entered candidacy before the application deadline are not eligible to apply. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in programs affiliated with CSWE, SSWR or GADE.  

Support for Participation: Up to 10 individuals will be selected to participate in this fellowship. Fellows will receive a $2,000 stipend and a $2,500 travel award. Fellows will be expected to attend a meeting at the 2022 CSWE Annual Program Meeting in Anaheim, CA (November 10-13, 2022) and the Doctoral Student Policy Forum in Alexandria, VA (June, 2023). There is an expectation that the fellow’s home institution will supplement the travel award with financial support to ensure full participation in both events. 

Application Process: There will be a two-part application process. Applicants will apply through an online portal(Opens in a new window) housed on CSWE’s website. Applicants will do the following:

1. Complete all the questions and a personal statement in the online application; and
2. Identify two individuals to submit letters of recommendation on behalf of the candidate. The first recommendation must be from the applicant’s doctoral program director. The second recommendation should be from someone who knows the applicant in a professional or academic setting. 

Successful first-round applicants will be selected to undergo an interview process with representatives of each partnering organization, from which the Social Work Policy Fellows will be selected. Applications will be assessed by the applicant’s academic achievements, the strength of the personal statement and letters of recommendation, representation reflecting the breadth and diversity of the social work profession, and the demonstration of a commitment to the inclusion of policy considerations in their dissertation research.

APPLY TODAY

For any questions or concerns regarding the application process please reach out Centers & Initiatives Program Manager, Lorenzo Shaw-Graham at [email protected].