Frequently Asked Questions

What needs to be included in the application? Please click here for application requirements.

Are letters of recommendation confidential? Yes. Individuals submitting recommendations on behalf of applicants will receive email reminders to submit their recommendations directly online on the applicants' behalf.

How do I know what fellowship program I am applying for? If you would like to apply exclusively for a Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowship or the Perry fellowship, you may say so on your application. It is not required. The CISAC fellowship selection committee will ensure that you are considered for every fellowship for which you are eligible.

Do you need PhD transcripts? All pre and postdoctoral applicants must include a transcript. Junior faculty and professionals may include a transcript, but are not required to do so.

Do you require official transcripts? Please upload unofficial transcripts with your application. We may ask you to mail official transcripts later.

Will you accept a diploma in lieu of a transcript? We strongly prefer transcripts. If they are not available, however, there may be cases where a diploma will suffice.

May I apply as a postdoctoral applicant if I expect to have completed my PhD degree by the time the fellowship would begin? Yes. However, please note that the offer, stipends, and title for the postdoc fellowship are contingent upon finishing the PhD before you start the fellowship. The offer can be rescinded if the PhD is not finished. If you expect to finish during the year, apply as a pre-doctoral fellow. We can change the remainder of your fellowship to postdoctoral if you complete your dissertation by early December or by early March.

If I do not need funding, should I apply for a fellowship? Yes, you should.  Non-stipendiary applicants are considered in the same pool as those requesting stipends.

May I apply for a fellowship if I am not a U.S. citizen? Yes.

Is a visa available through the CISAC fellowship? Yes.

Do transcripts need to be translated into English? Yes.

Will CISAC accept DPhil degrees as PhD equivalents?  Yes.

Does CISAC grant degrees?  No.

Are CISAC fellowships available for non-Stanford students? Yes. We very much welcome applications from non-Stanford students.

How many fellowships are granted per year? This number varies based on the available funding and the applicant pool. We expect to fund 12 or more fellows in 2012-13.

How do I know if my topic is within the line of study at CISAC? Please review the CISAC web site and the publications of current faculty and research staff. If that does not answer the question, please send an inquiry to [email protected].

May mid-to-late career professionals apply? Yes.

May I apply for a fellowship if I have a master's degree and do not intend to pursue a PhD? CISAC does not make predoctoral fellowships available for people who are not enrolled in a PhD program. Those enrolled in professional schools such as law, medicine, or business, however, may apply as “pre-doctoral,” and graduates and journalists, diplomats and other mid-career professionals are eligible to receive a fellowship.

Does CISAC award fellowships for studies to be conducted at other universities? No.

How long is the fellowship? Fellowships range from nine to 11 months and, in certain circumstances, may be renewable.

What is life at CISAC like? CISAC values its reputation as a highly collegial and collaborative environment. Fellows are expected to participate in research seminars, collaborate with other fellows, faculty, and research staff, and enjoy the many opportunities for formal and informal meals and discussions with professional colleagues. They are also encouraged to make use of the resources and opportunities afforded by one of the world’s foremost research institutions. Visit here for more detail about life at Stanford University.

Who funds CISAC fellowships? Foundations including Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Flora Family Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Stanton Foundation, private donors, and at varying times, government funding.