Merit Switzer Research Fellowships for Doctoral Dissertation Research

The purpose of the Switzer Research Fellowships program is to build research capacity by providing support to highly qualified individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to conduct research on rehabilitation, independent living, and other experiences and outcomes of people with disabilities. Fellows must conduct original research that is focused on the experiences and outcomes of people with disabilities in one or more of NIDILRR’s three outcome domains: (1) community living and participation; (2) employment; or (3) health and function. The purpose of this particular Switzer Fellowship opportunity is to support doctoral candidates as they conduct their dissertation research. NIDILRR plans to make five fellowship awards under this opportunity. Applicants must demonstrate their formal academic status as doctoral candidates. Fellowship awards will have one 12-month project period.

Only individuals are eligible to apply for NIDILRR Switzer Research Fellowship grants. Institutions and organizations may not apply. Because the individual person rather than the institution is the applicant for this Fellowship, the person who seeks the Fellowship must sign the forms included in the application. Representatives of institutions do not sign the application forms. Because the award is made to the individual rather than to the institution, institutional indirect costs may not be deducted from the award. Fellowship funds are taxable income. Applicants must demonstrate their formal academic status as doctoral candidates. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens must provide documentation that they are eligible to receive research funding directly from an agency of the United States government. No entities are eligible for this award, only individuals are eligible to apply. If you are a non-USA citizen, you must provide documentation that you are eligible to receive research funding directly from an agency of the United States government.