Application Planning

This Watson Worksheet provides helpful advice to guide your thinking about a possible Knafel Travel proposal (please note you will not be able to edit the worksheet online but should download it and edit directly on your device).  If you’re considering the Knafel Scholarship for Foreign Study, this roadmap for funding for graduate/professional study provides step-by-step advice and detailed timelines. 

Also! Did you know? Wellesley's amazing Research Librarians offer appointments for prospective fellowship applicants as well (both current students and graduates)! They can help you identify and research potential sponsors or affiliates; explore international educational systems; investigate global sites for travel fellowships; learn more about a country's culture or history; and/or think through any aspect of your proposal.  You can explore their resources and book a Zoom appointment here!

Timeline overview for application process:

• Summer and fall of senior year: consider postgraduate plans, explore deadlines for the coming academic year, talk to recommenders, and book a Fellowships advising appointment

• February 10, 2025: apply by the campus deadline by filling out this form, submitted with all relevant materials (see below), to be considered for one of the Knafel awards

• February/March: committee interviews

• Mid- to late-March: Knafel decisions typically announced

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

• Wellesley College graduating seniors

Please note: Students can only apply to one of the two Knafel awards.  Preference will be given to applicants who do not propose travel or study in an area in which they have already spent an extended period of time. A short list of candidates will be interviewed mid to late March. Finalists will receive a letter informing them of the committee’s decision after the first week of April.

What makes a strong applicant for this fellowship?

• Those who propose to study or travel in a country in which they have not spent a significant amount of time;
• A strong desire for learning and the ability to impart knowledge and judgment to others;
• An interest in and an acceptance of others; and
• The ethos of a Wellesley education.
• It should be understood that study or travel will not be supported in the country of the candidate’s citizenship or residence.  If you have federally guaranteed student loans issued in your name, you may be eligible for a partial reimbursement. US tax laws apply.  

Regardless of their citizenship, applicants must adhere to Wellesley's travel policy for students and graduates. (Questions may be referred to fellowships@wellesley.edu.)

How do I apply?

Things to know: 

• Before proceeding with your application, it is a good idea to discuss your plans with a member of the Fellowships team: it’s easy to make a Fellowships advising appointment online through Handshake, and appointments can be via telephone/video chat during Wintersession; or drop in to Fellowships Pop-Up Advising (see Events listings for details).
• In addition to Wellesley's travel policy for students and graduates, other useful links as you're planning travel include: Wellesley’s Office of International Study offers resources for anyone thinking about different cultures and identity abroad; Mobility International, a disability-led non-profit, offers resources to help make travel accessible for everyone.
• Since Wellesley’s Knafel Traveling Fellowship is similar to the Watson, applicants might also want to explore this opportunity and their helpful website and webinar… Then submit application materials described below via the form here.

Application checklist:

• One reference: 
  • This letter should be written by a Wellesley faculty member who is not a member of the Knafel sub-committee, who is familiar with your work, and who may be consulted by phone if necessary. 
  • This reference should be confidential, should speak to your ability and strength as a candidate, and  should comment specifically on your proposal. 
  • Please give your recommender this link for letter submission; should they have any difficulty with the online form, please ask them to email their letters to fellowships@wellesley.edu.
• Resume or cv (2 pages max)
• Transcripts: 
  • An unofficial copy of your most recent Wellesley College transcript (the version you can access online is fine) and copies of transcripts from any other institutions attended.  
  • Please request a grade report that includes this year's fall semester grades.  
  • If you transferred to Wellesley or studied abroad, those grades will not be entered on your Wellesley transcript - only course name and credits will be listed: please include an unofficial transcript or list of courses taken at schools other than Wellesley and indicate the grades you received. 
• Wellesley Fellowships office signature document (please print, sign & date this form, then submit a scanned pdf or other image of the signed document along with your application materials)

These materials and all relevant documents below  (either for the Scholarship for Foreign Study or Traveling Fellowship) should be submitted through this form by 11:30 pm EST on February 10, 2025.

Scholarship for Foreign Study

• Statement of Interest (one to two pages double–spaced): 
  • Describing your plans for the scholarship year, indicate your reasons for proposing a year of study and the course of study you wish to pursue. 
  • Tell us how your proposal relates to your life and academic work to date and how it will contribute to your plans for the future. 
  • Specify the program and institution you have selected and explain your choice.
  • When you expect to hear a decision about your application for study.  

or Travelling Fellowship

• Statement Of Interest (one to two pages double–spaced): Describing your plans for your fellowship year, indicate your reasons for proposing a year of travel, how your proposal relates to your life and/or academic work to date and how it will contribute to your plans for the future.
• Tentative Itinerary for Knafel Traveling Fellowship applicant (maximum two pages in outline format)
• State the title of your proposal for the Knafel Traveling Fellowship  

Questions?
Email fellowships@wellesley.edu or call Caitlin Roberts-Donovan at 781.283.2347.