In the summer of 2013, MDRC will offer up to two doctoral fellowships to Ph.D. candidates who are pursuing independent, self-directed research on economic and social problems affecting low-income Americans. Dedicated to learning what works to improve the well-being of low-income families, MDRC has created this special financial assistance program for students enrolled in doctoral programs in economics, psychology, sociology, child development, child welfare, family relations, criminal justice, education, public policy, or related fields. Qualified minority students are strongly encouraged to apply.

We plan to offer up to two fellowships for this coming summer. Fellows could work in either MDRC’s West Coast office in Oakland, CA, or our New York City office. Each fellowship is expected to begin in early summer and last through August, though there is some flexibility in the timing. Recipients will work on their doctoral dissertations on topics of mutual interest — and will participate in the intellectual life of MDRC by attending seminars and project meetings and by working with key MDRC research staff. Our project work is conducted by five policy areas: Family Well-Being and Child Development, K-12 Education, Young Adults and Postsecondary Education, Low-Wage Workers and Communities, and Health and Barriers to Employment.

A stipend and office space will be provided to each fellow. 

Specifics

Who: Any student enrolled in a doctoral program in economics, psychology, sociology, child development, child welfare, family relations, criminal justice, education, public policy, or related fields who has had a dissertation proposal or prospectus approved by his or her academic department.
Why: To pursue independent dissertation research on a policy issue related to low-income individuals, families, and communities while sharing in the intellectual life of MDRC.
How Much: One or two fellowships with stipends of up to $5,000 for the summer.
Timing: Applications should be submitted by Monday April 15, 2013.

To Apply

Visit the job description on MDRC’s Career page to fill out an on-line application. 

Please submit the following as attachments to your on-line application:

• Résumé, including work and academic experience.
• A proposal (up to 2,000 words) that discusses the rationale for the research project you plan to pursue. Include a statement of the research question, the data you will be using, the analytic approach you are taking, its relevance to social policy, and the steps needed to complete the project.
• A copy of your graduate school transcript(s).

Two letters of recommendation, including one from a sponsoring faculty member, and original graduate school transcripts should be mailed to:

Genevieve Williams, Human Resources Department
MDRC
16 East 34th Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Attention: Doctoral Fellowship Program