Fellowships in Legal Studies

Primary criteria for selection include intellectual strength of the proposal, significance for interdisciplinary research on law, legal institutions, and social policy, demonstrated academic achievement, and originality, clarity, and overall scholarly merit of the research plan. 

PDF Document 1. Curriculum Vitae (text in English, listing all degrees, positions, and publications)


PDF Document 2. Research Plan (3 pages maximum) with key citations including:
    Research questions, working hypotheses, and larger research context;
        —Importance of the project to understanding law, legal institutions, and social policy;
        —Relevance to applicant’s scholarly field;
        —Research fit with The Baldy Center's mission;
        —Expected findings.

    Methodology
        —Sources of information, including specific information about sources and/or archives
        (website, addresses, interlocutor-interviewee context, IRB requirements, etc. as relevant);
        —Strategies for obtaining information;
        —Rationale for selection of research sites, data sets, interviewees;

    Expected outcomes and products.

PDF Document 3.  Academic writing sample. This sample may be a book chapter or article.


PDF Document 4. First Letter of Recommendation


PDF Document 5. Second Letter of Recommendation


PDF Document 6. Third Letter of Recommendation


Optional Additional PDF Document: pertaining to J1 Visa, if applicable.

A: Mid-career and Senior Fellowships require one semester or possibly one quarter in residence. Post-doctoral Fellowships require one full year in residence at minimum, with the option for two years in residence.

Q: Are fellowships available during the entire year, including during summer months?
A: Fellows are required to be in residence only during the academic year. For Mid-Career and Senior Fellows who wish to stay during the summer, it is possible to adjust the stipend payment schedule to ensure continuing funding during the summer. Post-doctoral fellows continue to receive the stipend over the summer months.

Q: What is the expected starting date for the Mid-career and Senior Fellows?
A: September or January in most cases, but this is negotiable.

Q: I see that collaborative research with University at Buffalo faculty may be preferred. Is it necessary to try to establish these collaborations before applying, or is this something that can be done once the fellowship has been awarded?
A: No, it is not all necessary to do so before applying. We want to make it clear that we would be supportive of developing collaborative research if the opportunities arise. We do not expect that this will happen in each case.

Q: Are non-U.S. citizens and residents eligible for The Baldy Center Mid-Career and Senior Fellowships?
A: Yes. The Baldy Center is interested in hosting global scholars. Immigration is not always simple, but we have structured the Fellows Program in hopes of minimizing potential difficulties. Our Fellows are not employees of The Baldy Center or the University, but rather, are Visiting Scholars who, in most cases, may be eligible for J1 Visas. See further information here: UB Immigration Services.

Q: Is the same form used to apply for any fellowship at of The Baldy Center'?
A: Yes. One application form serves applicants to any of our fellowships. On that form, each applicant indicates which fellowship pertains to their application.

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