Frequently Asked Questions
When will the application form be available?
The application form and available fellowships for the year will be announced in the fall of the prior year, by November 1.
Do my referees need to prepare letters of recommendation and when will they be contacted?
For most fellowships, referees do not need to prepare letters of recommendation, and letters are not due on the February 1 deadline. Referees may only be contacted directly by the Fellowship Committee in circumstances where additional information is needed for applicant consideration.
For Dissertation Fellowship and Ahmanson Predoctoral Fellowship applications, letters of recommendation are required from two thesis committee members. Referees will be contacted by the Center after the application period closes on February 1, with letters of recommendation due by February 16, 2027.
May international scholars apply for fellowships?
Yes, many of our fellowships are open to international applicants, please refer to the Fellowships webpage for specific eligibility. Please note all international scholars will be required to provide information on their current visa status, if applicable, or apply for a visa to enter the US.
Certain visa statuses may not be eligible for fellowship appointment or payment; please consult with Center staff for questions on visa type.
When can I take my fellowship?
Fellows can propose taking their fellowship at any time during the year, July 1-June 30, pending approval by the Clark Head Librarian and staff. Proposed appointments outside of those dates due to personal or academic commitments may be considered.
Official appointment in a relevant title must be approved before the start date.
Once official appointment approval is granted, start and end dates cannot be changed.
Fellowships must be taken in consecutive weeks or months. For example, if the fellowship is for four weeks, it must be taken in four successive weeks, and cannot be broken up into shorter periods taken over the course of the year.
When are fellowship award payments disbursed?
Postdoctoral Fellows are paid through UCLA’s payroll system, UCPath and distributed monthly.
Dissertation Fellows will receive monthly fellowship stipends through the Division of Graduate Education.
Most other fellows will be paid through UCLA Accounts Payable, which requires all payment recipients to complete a short “vendor” onboarding process, wherein fellows will select their preferred payment method. Due to processing time required, fellows will receive the fellowship payment as a lump sum, minus applicable withholding, an average of one month after the start date of the fellowship.
What is the timeframe for application review and when will I learn if I was accepted?
The fellowship committee convenes in March or April to review proposals, with final decisions and awarding announcements sent to applicants by April 30.
Fellows whose applications are accepted by the committee will need to complete academic personnel processes to be formally appointed in a relevant title at UCLA. Center staff will provide information on the steps that fellows need to take to receive an official appointment.
What qualifies as “appropriate research experience” for applicants who may not have a Ph.D.?
Factors that can be considered in lieu of a Ph.D. are: a terminal degree in the field, e.g. MFA, MLIS; prizes awarded in the field; publications, exhibitions, or other evidence of recognition of excellence in creative or scholarly work.
What housing resources are available to fellows?
Fellows are responsible for finding their own housing. The Clark Library is able to provide a list of resources that you may find helpful, although it does not endorse any of them:
AirBnB, VRBO, Blueground, Westside Rental, com, and Oakwood Corporate Apartments offer fully furnished spaces. For areas near the Clark, consult Mid City, Culver City, Midtown, and West Adams districts.
For additional questions, please contact the Center at fellowships.c1718cs@humnet.ucla.edu.