Applying to the Institute

To apply to the Summer Doctoral Institute, students must complete the program application and also submit a CV, a statement of research interests, and a letter of recommendation as described in the application. Part of the application requires candidates to rank the GW faculty members with whom they would like to work, as well as provide preliminary research ideas. Because the faculty-student relationship is an important aspect of the program, we strongly encourage applicants to contact professors to discuss common research interests before applying. To review the current research interests of some of the participating faculty, please visit the Faculty Mentors page. Please note that all fulltime GW faculty members are eligible to participate in the Summer Doctoral Institute program. Should you be interested in working with a faculty member that is not listed on the Faculty Mentor page, please contact the GW-CIBER office first and we will inform the faculty member of the existence of the program and your interest in collaboration. For a listing of GW schools and college web sites, visit the About GW page.

After applications are received, a committee will select the top candidates and their profiles will be sent for review to the GW professors listed in the applications. Based on feedback from the GW professors, the committee will perform the final matching of doctoral students and mentors. Applications must be received by January 15, 2009 to be considered.

Once the selected applicants have been matched with faculty mentors, notification of acceptance to the program will be sent by e-mail. Applicants selected for participation in the program must collaborate with their faculty mentor to complete and submit a project proposal contract by March 15, 2009. The contracts will be sent by e-mail along with the selection notification. Contracts must meet the objectives of the Summer Doctoral Institute and be consistent with GW-CIBER theme of Institutions & Development.

Program Timeline

Now - January 15, 2009
Application Submission: During this time period, while exploring the idea of applying, students are strongly encouraged to contact professors to discuss common research interests and potential mentoring. In order to apply, students should complete an application and rank the GW faculty with whom they would like to work.

January 16, 2009 - February 15, 2009
Application Evaluation: A committee selects the top applicants and sends their profiles for review to the GW faculty members listed in the applications. Based on recommendations made by the GW professors, the committee performs the final matching of doctoral students and mentors.

February 16, 2009 – March 15, 2009
Notification of Acceptance and Contract Submission: The students are notified by email about their acceptance to the program as well as the GW faculty mentor to whom they have been matched. The selected applicants collaborate with their assigned faculty mentors to complete project proposal contracts.

March 16, 2009 – June 9, 2009
Preliminary Preparation: The selected candidates and their mentors communicate via long-distance methods to begin research project (such as making a reading list, performing literature review, determining possible data sources and methods for testing).

June 10, 2009 – August 6, 2009
Stay in Washington, DC: Upon their arrival students meet with their peers and faculty mentors and get introduced to the program. Within the first week the students give a 30-minute presentation on their chosen research topic. Throughout the duration of the program, students live in GW campus housing, network and establish bonds as they interact in a variety of scholarly and social activities, and explore all that the city has to offer. Towards the end of the doctoral institute, the students will deliver a 60-minute presentation on the results of their projects.

August 7, 2009 – January 1, 2010
Working Papers Finalized: During this time frame, SDI teams that have not already done so should finalize a preliminary draft of their paper that is suitable to internal distribution (to peers and/or faculty). Students submit their final working papers, suitable for posting on the GW-CIBER website, by January 1, 2010. Additionally, this is an ideal time to consider submitting the paper for review at a major conference.

Eligibility

All applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program at a U.S institution and must demonstrate an interest in the area of Institutions & Development. Additionally, candidates must complete and submit the project proposal contract in order to participate in the program.

A note for international students: Your funding for this program is subject to the terms of your Visa. For more information, please contact your school’s international student office.

Download Application Here

Application materials can be submitted by:

E-mail
gw.doctoral.institute@gmail.com

Fax
202.994.7422

Mail
GW-CIBER Summer Doctoral Institute
Attn: Alexis Gaul
Duquès Hall, Suite 450
2201 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052