Robert C. Bates Postgraduate Fellowship

The Robert C. Bates Postgraduate Fellowship, from the endowments of Jonathan Edwards College, supports seniors who, after successfully navigating an undergraduate education at Yale, have designed a 3-12 month project to build on their Yale experience through further research, an internship, or other creative projects that contribute to society. Projects must be conducted outside of the continental United States, immediately after graduation.

Proposals may be 1) research projects that are grounded in studies at Yale and relationships with Yale faculty, 2) internships that grew out of relationships at Yale or serve as bridges toward longer-term personal or professional goals developed at Yale, or 3) other inter-dependent projects with clear goals and learning outcomes. Students with interests in STEM fields, visual and performing arts, and community service are encouraged to apply.

Preference will be given to proposals that build on an applicant’s experience at Yale, whether a course of study, senior thesis, student group, major field of interest, or mentoring relationship with Yale faculty.

Successful applicants will receive funds to directly support their proposed project, as well as funds to defray their own living expenses for a period of 3 to 12 months. The minimum project duration is three months. The proposed project must be a full-time commitment and the the recipient’s primary activity for the duration of the fellowship.

This fellowship is administered by the Center for International and Professional Experience as part of the Yale College Post Graduate Fellowships Common Application.

Application Information: Applications received late or submitted via e-mail or in person will NOT be accepted.

Application for this fellowship is managed through a single common application. To learn more and start an application, search Yale Student Grants for the Yale College Postgraduate Fellowships Common Application page and click "Apply." Your single application will be considered for this and other fellowship opportunities that may overlap with your proposal.

A complete Bates Postgraduate application includes:

• Online Application
• Two Letters of reference
• Language Evaluation (for international projects requiring non-native language skills)
• Letter of Affiliation (optional)
• Project Proposal / Program of Study (including budget)
• Resume / List of Activities or Awards
• Transcripts

Interested applicants should attend an information session at the Yale Center for International and Professional Experience and may schedule an appointment with a Fellowship Adviser. Meeting with an adviser is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Click here to view a calendar of upcoming information sessions and events.

Restrictions to Use of Award: To satisfy the minimum duration requirements of the fellowship, the applicant's project must be his or her primary activity, conducted without interruption, for the duration of the experience.

All interested applicants considering overseas projects must review the Yale University International Travel Policy. Projects in specific countries within approved regions may not be eligible for funding based on current State Department Warnings and the Yale University International Travel Policy.

Yale University policy requires that certain types of research projects involving human subjects be reviewed by an institutional review board (IRB) prior to the start of the study to ensure that the project meets University requirements and any applicable regulations. Click here to see if your project needs to be reviewed, for advice on working with human subjects, and for more information about the process and requirements.

Students applying to fellowships to support activities in or near their home towns may not be eligible to receive funding for certain budget items (e.g. housing). Please ask a fellowships adviser for more information.

International student applicants should inform the Office of International Students and Scholars of their plans to ensure they will be in compliance with the terms of their visa.

• Applicants must be graduating seniors from Yale College.
• Any field or discipline is eligible. STEM students are encouraged to apply. Visual and performing art students are encouraged to apply. Students interested in community service are encouraged to apply.
• The project must be international.
• The project must begin by September 1st in the award year.
• These fellowships do not support postgraduate coursework or study abroad.
• Internships must be independently sought. This fellowship does not support internships which have a participation fee or program fee.