HAROLD LEONARD MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP IN FILM STUDY

2009-10 Instructions to Applicants

Deadline:  12 noon, December 1, 2008

Purpose:

The purpose of the Leonard Fellowship in Film Study is to provide stipend support for an academic year of well-defined research or study in which film history, criticism, theory, or aesthetics is the major focus of the research.  Students may propose a program of research, such as that which would lead to a dissertation, or course of study in which the major focus will be film.  The film study program does not support film production projects.

Eligibility:

Students must be registered for credit in the University of Minnesota Graduate School at the time of application.  Preference will be given to students who have not held this award. 

  
Amount:

$22,000 for the academic year, plus tuition and subsidized health insurance for the academic year.  Summer 2010 health insurance will be provided if the Fellow remains eligible.  Up to two awards.  

Application Procedure:

Submit four sets (collated and stapled) of the application form and supporting documents, in the following order:

1) Application form, signed and dated.

• Application available online at http://www.grad.umn.edu/fellowships/applications.
• NOTE: Students requesting film study research expenses should complete the optional budget section in the application.

2) Research proposal, including title of project and summary section.

• Up to three pages, double-spaced, 12 point type, with margins not less than one inch, and title at top of page.
• Your proposal should describe the proposed research or study you plan to pursue in the coming academic year.
• After the title, begin the statement with a 100-word Summary section describing the extent to which your research centers on film, and its potential contribution to film scholarship.
• If you choose to include key references, they must fit within the three-page limit.

3) Personal biographical statement.

• One page, single or double spaced, 12 point type, with margins not less than one inch.
• Your statement should provide an account of the various sources, influences, and previous efforts that led to your choice of academic discipline and research area, while filling in any gaps in your record.  It should offer a picture of your motivation and purpose as well as a description of long-range personal and professional plans and goals.  It should not be an extension of the Research Proposal section.

4a)  A current University of Minnesota graduate transcript

• Transcripts are available at http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/grades.html.

4b)  An explanation of any “Incomplete” grades (if applicable).

In Addition

5) Two letters of recommendation.

• One of the letters must be from the major advisor.
• Each letter should be no more than one-page, on letterhead, with the recommendation cover sheet attached.
• Letters should be sent directly to the Graduate Fellowship Office for duplication (314 Johnston Hall).  Or, applicants may bring sealed envelopes directly to the Fellowship Office.
• No more than two recommendations will be forwarded to the committee.

Please Note

Since the selection committee reviews only applications that are complete in every detail, students should verify with the Graduate School Fellowship Office that all required supporting materials (two letters) have been received.

 

Selection Criteria:

The review and selection will be conducted by University of Minnesota faculty, which will select the awardees based on the following criteria:

• the extent to which the research centers on film and its potential contribution to film scholarship,
• the cohesiveness of the study or research plan and the clarity with which it is conveyed to the non-specialist,
• the timeliness of progress toward the degree,
• the strength of the letters of recommendation,and
• the soundness of the budget proposal, if applicable.

Award Policy:

Duplicate Awards - Recipients may not hold concurrently a second fellowship, scholarship, grant, or similar award that duplicates the benefits of the Fellowship.

Supplementation - Recipients may hold concurrently a graduate assistantship of up to 25% time without reduction in the Fellowship stipend.  Likewise, recipients may hold concurrently a non-Graduate School-administered fellowship, scholarship, grant, or similar award, or outside employment, provided it does not exceed the value of a 25%-time assistantship in the student’s department.  Any additional support, in whatever combination, may not exceed the dollar value of a 25% assistantship in any given semester. 
 
Terms of Award - Although recipients need not be in residence during the tenure of the fellowship, they must be registered for credit in the Graduate School both semesters of the academic year.

Notification:

Students will be notified of the outcome, in writing, by the end of March.

	Questions? Graduate School Fellowship Office 314 Johnston Hall 101 Pleasant Street SE Minneapolis, MN  55455 Phone: (612) 625-7579 Fax: (612) 625-6820 gsfellow@umn.edu