Application process for Frederick Kettner Scholarships

The Frederick Kettner scholarship is for doctoral students in their last phases of dissertation work, for scholarly work that furthers the objectives of the Institute.

Scholarships are available in amounts up to $10,000 for a one-year period. Any doctoral student in good academic standing at their institution is eligible to apply. Preference will be given to those students who are in the last stages of dissertation work, and expect to complete their degree within one year of the date that the scholarship is awarded. Postdoctoral projects will also be considered. Awards may be granted to students at any U.S. academic institution that grants doctoral degrees.

Proposals are encouraged which relate to themes that target the objectives of Biosophy. Any proposal that addresses these themes will be given preference for funding.

Students in any academic discipline may apply. Example of disciplines that students may be in include, but are not limited to, philosophy, theology, political science, history, education, sociology, anthropology, psychology, media studies or arts.

When to apply:
Proposals must be received by email or posted mail by March 15th. Anything received after March 15th will be considered for the following year.

Notification of acceptance:
Applicants will be notified by June 1st.

What to include in the proposal:
Proposal submissions must contain the following:

1) Cover letter:
Cover letters must include

Name and address of the applicant including phone and email
Name and address of the academic institution
Title of the proposed project
A brief summary of the topic of the proposed project, in a few sentences

2) Letter from the applicant’s academic advisor
A letter must be included from the academic advisor on university letterhead paper that ascertains: 1) the applicant is a student in good standing at the academic institution, 2) the applicant has completed all requirements for the doctoral degree (e.g. coursework, qualifying exams) except the writing of the dissertation, and 3) reasons why the applicant is qualified to receive the scholarship.

3) Letters of recommendation
Two letters of recommendation which assess the merits and impact of the proposed research, the research applicant’s research abilities, and personal character must be sent directly to the address below:
Frederick Kettner Scholarship
The Biosophical Institute
PO Box 21155
South Euclid, Ohio 44121

4) Proposal abstract
An abstract of the proposal of no more than one page must be included, with the applicant’s name and institution on this page.

5) Body of the proposal
The body of the proposal must be no longer than five pages, single-spaced with 10 or 12-point font acceptable. References can be added in a separate document. Proposals should be written for a general academic audience. Do not assume that reviewers will have a detailed understanding of the field though outside reviewers with expertise in the field may be consulted. Therefore, technical terminology or jargon should be either avoided or if used, explained carefully.

The body of the proposal must contain the following sections:

Description of the dissertation project
The description must include the relevant theory and background literature, and a detailed description of the main idea of the dissertation project.
Significance of the project
The proposal must describe the significance of the issue addressed by the project particularly addressing the broader impact that this work will have on society.
Research plan and methodology (if relevant)
If the dissertation will involve empirical work, then the methodology and a plan for how the research will be carried out must be included.
Dissemination plans
Dissemination plans include a description of how the results of the work will be disseminated to a broader audience. Will the results be published in a book, academic articles, available on the web, or through other means?

6) References
References can be included in a separate document from the body of the proposal and should be clearly labeled.

7) Project budget
A detailed project budget is required along with justification for each budget item. Acceptable budget items include: tuition and fees, reasonable living expenses, and research-related expenses. Travel may be supported if properly justified.

8) Other means of financial support
Applicants must declare all other means of financial support, including other scholarships, internal university funding, teaching or research assistantships, or other means of support other than personal finances.

9) Timeline
A timeline of the project must be included which states the planned completion date of the dissertation.

10) Applicant’s Curriculum Vitae
Applicants should submit a current CV with their applications.

Where to submit the application:
Applicants may submit four print copies of all materials to the following address:

The Biosophical Institute
PO Box 21155
South Euclid, Ohio 44121

Alternatively, applications may be emailed to the following email address:

Review process
All proposals will be reviewed by members of the Biosophical Institute’s External Giving Committee. Review criteria will be based on the merits of the proposal, the potential for the project to advance the objectives of Biosophy, and the potential impact that the project will have on society. Outside reviewers who have expertise in the research area of the proposed project may be consulted, if needed.

Deliverables
Awardees are required to provide a copy of their dissertation and research papers to the Biosophical Institute for inclusion in the digital library.

The Biosophical Institute supports equal opportunity in the awarding of grants and in its internal policies.

All inquiries for the Frederick Kettner Scholarship should be made to the email below. Please state in the subject header of the email ‘Frederick Kettner Scholarship’