Queen's University

New Pre-Doctoral Fellowships for Indigenous Students

Queen's University sits on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples.

The Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen’s University is pleased to invite applications for four one-year Pre-Doctoral Fellowships for Indigenous Students. 

The Fellowships are open to Indigenous students enrolled in a PhD program and working on doctoral research in the creative arts, humanities, social sciences or natural and physical sciences at an accredited university other than Queen’s University. Candidates must have completed all doctoral degree requirements except the final doctoral project (e.g. dissertation). They will be expected to compete their doctoral project during their tenure as a Fellow to receive their degree from their home institution.

The Fellowship holder is required to relocate to Kingston while completing their research in order to teach one course in the Faculty of Arts and Science and contribute to intellectual life at Queen’s University. 

Application deadline: 1 April 2018
Award period: 1 July 2018 through 30 June 2019
Award: $34,000 annual stipend + wages for teaching + funds for research & conferences (see Fellowship details)

A Win-Win-Win Situation

For Indigenous PhD students, this is a unique opportunity. Not only will they receive financial support while they complete their degrees, the Fellows will expand their professional network and advance Indigenous issues, histories and/or ways of knowing while contributing to intellectual life at Queen's. Perhaps most importantly, the experience will provide Fellows with a competitive advantage in their careers.

For the Fellows' home institutions, this opportunity offers financial support to their PhD students in the final stages of their doctoral work, encourages them to complete their degrees on time, and provides future examples of successful Indigenous alumni. 

Queen's, the Fellows' home insititutions, and all Canadian universities will benefit from the scholarly collaboration and advancement of Indigenous issues, histories and/or ways of knowing that the Fellowhips support. Through this  collaboration and engagement with Indigenous peoples and communities, the researchers will be able to contribute to relationship-building, knowledge-sharing and Indigenizing curricula. 

Fellowship Details

Applications are invited from Indigenous doctoral students enrolled in a PhD program and working on doctoral research in the creative arts, humanities, social sciences or natural and physical sciences at an accredited university other than Queen’s University. 

Candidates must have completed all doctoral degree requirements except the final doctoral project (e.g. dissertation). They will be expected to compete their doctoral project during their tenure as a Fellow to receive their degree from their home institution.

Applicants should be committed to advancing Indigenous issues, histories and/or ways of knowing.

The Fellowship holder will be required to teach one 3-unit (four-month) university course in a program or department in the Faculty of Arts and Science, and to contribute to the intellectual life of the university. Candidates are expected to be based in Kingston or its environs through the duration of the fellowship. 

The Pre-Doctoral Fellowship provides an annual stipend of $34,000.  In addition, the incumbent will be separately appointed and compensated as a Term Adjunct to teach a half-course (3 unit) university course.  The Term Adjunct appointment shall be governed by the Queen’s-QUFA collective agreement.  In addition, up to $3,000 will be available for research and conference travel. Successful candidates are eligible to request funds in support of relocation. 

Application deadline:  1 April 2018
Pre-Doctoral Fellowship award period: 1 July 2018 through 30 June 2019

Qualifications

Candidates for the Fellowship must:

  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
  • self-identify as Indigenous; 
  • be registered in a PhD program in the creative arts, humanities, social sciences or natural and physical sciences at an accredited university other than Queen’s;
  • have completed the degree requirements necessary to identify them as in an advanced stage of research or writing on an approved doctoral research topic; and
  • demonstrate exceptional academic merit and a commitment to advancing Indigenous issues, histories and/or ways of knowing.

Application Process

A complete application consists of:

  1. Cover letter outlining background, training, and plans, including any work with Indigenous communities, groups or organizations;
  2. Doctoral research proposal (approximately 10 pages or 3,000 words) detailing the doctoral research program and proposal and its potential to contribute to the advancement of Indigenous issues, histories and ways of knowing;
  3. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts;
  4. A letter from the department chair, confirming that the applicant has passed their qualifying examinations and has achieved advanced standing in the program and can be expected to complete their doctoral project during the fellowship period.
  5. Two confidential letters of support from faculty on the supervisory committee, sent under separate cover, one of which must be from the student’s supervisor, commenting on the student’s performance, potential and expected time to degree completion.

Applicants are encouraged to send all documents in their application package electronically as PDFs to Lynda Jessup at lynda.jessup@queensu.ca, although hard copy applications may be submitted to:

Lynda Jessup
Associate Dean
Faculty of Arts and Science
Main Floor, Dunning Hall
94 University Avenue
Queen’s University
Kingston, Ontario
CANADA K7L 3N6  

The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs.  If you require accommodation during the interview process, please inform Lynda Jesup. 

Faculty of Arts and Science Indigenous Initiatives

The Faculty of Arts and Science is committed to Indigenous education and to supporting culturally relevant learning opportunities and initiatives for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.  We are proud of our continuing dedication to encouraging life-long learning and reconciliation efforts, and of the many academic and personal successes of our Indigenous students, faculty, staff and alumni.  

Learn more about the Indigenous resources and initiatives supported by the Faculty of Arts and Science.

Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre

The Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre, or 4D as it is affectionately called, strives to be a home away from home, a hub of activity and a key resource for Queen's Indigenous students.

Located in a historic home on campus, they offer many amenities such as a lounge with free wifi and cable TV, snacks or a meals in a fully equipped kitchen, and a free laundry service. They offer academic tutoring and advising, cultural programming, an Indigenous focused library, and a range of workshops designed to support Indigenous students academically, socially and culturally.

4D has been around since 1996 when they opened with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training under its Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy. The Centre has been at its current location since 2000.