The goals of the Debra Mesch Doctoral Fellowship for Research on Women’s Philanthropy are to increase research and understanding of gender and philanthropy, contribute to building the field of study of gender and philanthropy, and support and encourage emerging scholars in their study of gender and philanthropy.
Meet the fellowsWhat is the Debra Mesch Doctoral Fellowship for Research on Women’s Philanthropy?
Fellowship impact
The Debra Mesch Doctoral Fellowship for Research on Women’s Philanthropy embodies the interdisciplinary strengths of the field of philanthropic studies. Funding for additional research and dissertation writing is difficult to obtain; for emerging scholars this fellowship fills a much needed gap.
The fellowship has enabled award recipients to reach new audiences and to expand awareness of the importance of gender in philanthropy.
Fellowship candidates
The Debra Mesch Doctoral Fellowship for Research on Women’s Philanthropy is for emerging scholars who focus in the area of women’s philanthropy or gender differences in philanthropic behavior. The fellowship is intended to support research and dissertation writing for those who are close to completing their dissertations.
Applicants are candidates for the Ph.D. degree at an accredited graduate school in the United States who have completed coursework and defended the dissertation proposal successfully.
Following the dissertation defense, the fellowship awardee will present findings to the faculty and staff of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy via video conference.
Note: Application deadline for the 2025 fellowship is January 31, 2025.
To apply for the Debra Mesch Doctoral Fellowship for Research on Women’s Philanthropy, you must:
- Be a Ph.D. candidate at an accredited graduate school
- Have completed coursework and defended your dissertation proposal successfully
In accordance with Indiana University regulations, if your research will involve human subjects you will need to notify us of institutional research board (IRB) approval or any other IU requirements before we can release the funds.
Applications are due January 31, 2025 to wpiinfo@iu.edu. Late applications will not be considered.
To be considered for the fellowship, applications must include:
- An application form
- Your current résumé
- A dissertation abstract no longer than 200 words summarizing your topic and its relevance to the understanding of an important question or issue related to women’s philanthropy and/or gender differences in philanthropic behavior
- A summary of the dissertation project not to exceed seven (7) pages, which includes:
- A brief description of the project
- The main research questions to be addressed
- A description of how the research will contribute to the understanding of women’s philanthropy or gender differences in philanthropic behavior
- A description of the conceptual or theoretical framework that will guide the research
- A short review of relevant literature indicating how the research will build upon existing work in the field, or how the research will pioneer a neglected area
- A selected bibliography no longer than two pages, double spaced
- A description and justification of the methodology, data collection and data analysis, and types of organizations or populations targeted by the research
- A time frame and schedule for completing the research and dissertation
- A statement indicating how the $5,000 award will be used
- One letter of recommendation from your dissertation director
- A copy of your transcript from the graduate school that will award the Ph.D. degree