Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I have received my Ph.D. and would like to come to the Center to continue
working toward publication of my dissertation topic. May I apply?
A: No. Your project must be an entirely separate project from your dissertation.
Your application should be new research.
Q: I have a Ph.D. but have not published a book yet. Is it worth applying?
A: For most academic candidates, a book or monograph is required. Unless you are
in a field like law where publications are usually comprised of articles, we advise
waiting to apply until you have published a book.
Q: I was a fellow at the Center five years ago. May I apply again?
A: Yes. The Center asks that applicants who have previously held a Wilson Center
fellowship wait at least five years before applying again, and they must apply with
a new project.
Q: Can fellowships be deferred?
A: No. If you are selected for a fellowship and cannot or do not accept, you must
apply again in the next competition.
Q: I applied for a fellowship last year and didn’t get one. If I reapply this year
with the same proposal, can I use the same references?
A: Yes. The Center can use the same references from last year for your current
application. However, we prefer that you ask your referees to resend the letter to us
with a current date on it. If you have completed substantial new work on your
project during the year, you may want to ask those same referees to read your
revised proposal and send updated reference letters. You may also choose to send
two different references. You may contact the Center and we will be happy to work
with you on the best course of action.
Q: What kind of access does the Center have to the Library of Congress?
A: The Wilson Center enjoys generous loan privileges with the Library of
Congress. Through the Wilson Center Library, fellows may request material as
needed from the general collections and keep it for up to six weeks. Center
librarians also provide access to university and special libraries in the area, and
other research facilities.
Q: I would need to move to Washington, D.C. from out of state. Does the
Center help to find housing for its Fellows?
A: To help with finding housing in the area, the Center sends each incoming out of
town fellow a comprehensive packet of housing materials. The Center does not
sign leases, but tries to help the incoming fellow find appropriate housing.
Information on schools and daycare centers for fellows with children is also
available.