Recommendations
One of the most common ways for faculty and staff to get involved in fellowships is by writing recommendations. The vast majority of fellowships require one or more recommendations, but few provide concrete requirements or guidelines. We can help!
- Understand the opportunity and your letter's role in the application. An applicant should be able to explain what the fellowship is for, what they specifically hope to do with it, and why they are asking you to help. If this is not offered, ask before agreeing to write for them!
- Feel comfortable saying no. Politely decline if you do not know the student, do not have time before the deadline, and especially if you do not think the student is deserving of the award they are pursuing.
- Be aware of how gender bias and racial bias show up in recommendations.
- We can provide feedback on your letter of recommendation! You can send it to us at fellowships@du.edu and we'll send some feedback.
Selection Committees
Serving on a campus fellowship committee helps students make the most of the fellowship application process and encourages their scholarly, professional, and personal development.
Fellowship committees often interview applicants and these interviews encourage applicants to refine their ideas, consider questions that they have not explored, learn how to concisely explain their goals and proposed plan, and gain valuable interview skills.
If you would like to serve on a fellowship committee, contact us at fellowships@du.edu to express your interest.
Mentoring and Supporting Potential Applicants
Your mentorship and support can help applicants develop the knowledge, skills, and ambition to pursue competitive fellowships.
You can help them by:
- Encouraging your students to take challenging courses
- Helping them find research and professional opportunities
- Inviting them to lectures and other intellectually-engaging events
- Introducing them to your colleagues with similar research/career interests
- Talking to them about graduate school or other training that will help them achieve their goals
- Providing feedback to students working on applications
- Writing strong letters of recommendation
- Participating in campus selection and mock interview committees
- Referring students to meet with us and learn about opportunities
Refer a Student
Do you know a cool student? Tell us about them! You can refer them to us using the button below and we will contact them to learn more about fellowships.
Get Involved
Let us know about your personal experience with a national or international fellowship!
Share your interest in serving on a selection committee!
Refer that brilliant student you want us to know about!
