Interested Yale applicants should first carefully read all the information given in the official instructions, as well as the Yale application information here. After doing so, applicants may refer questions to the Office of Fellowships (meetings by appointment).
A complete application includes the following items (most materials must be submitted via the Yale Student Grants Database prior to 1pm on the day of the application deadline; portfolios, when applicable, may be shared via Box at Yale or by sharing a link to a website where your portfolio may be viewed by the Yale committee):
A completed application in this portal.
A proposal of five to seven pages (approximately 1,500 to 2,000 words) describing clearly the project and/or activities to be undertaken during the fellowship year, the goals and objectives of the project, and how it relates to the candidate's professional or other interests. the requirement for travel abroad should be clearly evident. (Follow the instructions on the official website; upload a copy for the Yale committee via the Yale Database).
A projected budget for the fellowship year, including estimated travel and living expenses, as well as any special expenses related to the proposed project, such as art supplies and the like. The budget should include all funds that the candidate expects to use during the fellowship year. Any unusual categories of expenditure should be carefully explained. (upload a copy for the Yale committee via the Yale Database)
Two letters of recommendation from individuals who know the candidate well and are in a position to discuss the merit and viability of the project and the candidate's ability successfully to complete the project proposed. (Be sure to give your recommenders copies of the official letter of recommendation form found on the Hays-Brandeis website; but enter your recommenders and their email addresses into the Yale Database, so that your recommenders may submit their letters via upload to the Database.)
Eligible are graduating seniors and recent graduates of Yale College (in 2024: Classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023). Preference will be given to graduating seniors. (US citizenship is not required for this fellowship.)
Awards are made on the basis of merit; financial need is not a consideration.
Selection criteria include the merit of the project and its proposed outcomes; the adequacy of the candidate’s preparation and foreign language proficiency for the project; the necessity of travel abroad to meet the goals and objectives of the project; the relationship of the project to the candidate’s prior work, preparation, and professional or creative goals; awareness of resources such as libraries or archives that should be consulted in connection with the candidate's project; the clarity of the project goals and the means by which they will be achieved; and the appropriateness of one year as the time period for the project.