Center on Forced Displacement Dissertation Fellowship

Applications for the Dissertation Fellowship are currently closed. Applications for AY 26-27 will launch in 2026.

The Center on Forced Displacement (CFD)  is pleased to announce the Inaugural CFD Dissertation Fellowship. The fellowship is for an outstanding doctoral candidate who will defend their dissertation during the academic year for which the contract is valid.

The fellow will receive a 12-month salary ($46,350 for AY 25-26). Candidates who anticipate receiving their PhD in the spring may receive an eight-month academic year stipend ($30,900 for the period of September 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026). The fellowship is not covered under the BUGWU contract. The recipient’s tuition for their continuing student fee will be covered by GRS. Fellows in their 5th year will receive coverage for the BU student insurance at the basic level covered by GRS/BU. We are awaiting guidance from the Provost’s office as to whether 6th and 7th year students will receive an insurance credit.

The fellow is entitled to shared office space at CFD, located at 111 Cummington Mall. They are also invited to participate in all CFD events and are eligible for additional research support (travel grants, event funding, etc). 

Defining Forced Displacement

CFD defines forced displacement capaciously as a process of mobility-related coercive violations or unjust omissions that disrupt a person or community’s ability to live a dignified life—one in accordance with their norms and values—in their current or historic place of residence.

Eligibility & Expectations
Any graduate student from any BU School or College may apply for the CFD Dissertation Fellowship in their 5^th or 6^thyear.  Consistent with BU rules, no student may hold a dissertation fellowship beyond their 7th year. The CFD Dissertation Fellowship is intended to be the final stage of each fellow’s graduate work at BU. Candidates must be prepared to defend their dissertations by August of the year for which the contract is valid. They are expected to focus exclusively on their dissertation work during their fellowship semester and not engage in additional employment while holding this fellowship.

Applications will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary committee of CFD Affiliate Faculty. Applications will be evaluated on the basis of research achievements and potential; potential of the dissertation research to advance research on forced displacement, theory, or practice; satisfactory progress in their graduate program; and certainty of a successful dissertation defense in the summer.