Mary Elvira Stevens Traveling Fellowship (graduates)
Campus deadline: 11:30 pm on March 12, 2025
The Mary Elvira Stevens Traveling Fellowship was established by the will of Alice Alvira Stevens, Class of 1891. The will states that "preference shall be given to persons with good temper and a natural generosity of view when confronted with alien conditions, common sense in observing and comprehending social, economic, and political situations, a strong desire to travel, and a deep love of beauty." It also expresses the expectation that the Fellowship will provide for Wellesley and the United States "well-balanced young women who may or may not teach, write, or lecture, but who in any event will live in a spirit of knowledge and understanding that will assure a reasonable degree of wisdom."
We invite proposals for purposeful travel into unfamiliar territory that will inspire reflection and growth and lead to more fulfilling and productive personal and professional lives. The Fellowship typically carries a stipend of up to $25,000 (taxable according to U.S. law) for up to a full year of travel outside the United States. It is available to a Wellesley graduate who is at least 25 years of age in the calendar year of application and who has not previously received Wellesley College Graduate Fellowship funding of $5,000 or more (from the Stevens, Knafel, or other Graduate Fellowships). There is no limitation as to field of interest, but a Fellow’s detailed plan must be approved in advance by the Fellowship Committee.
Read about Luisa Adelfio ’86, 2021-2022 Mary Elvira Stevens Fellowship recipient!
FAQs
- Is prior travel experience required? No.
- May I propose a project of less than a year? Yes: proposals may be for shorter- or longer-term projects for up to a full year.
- Would the Stevens fund graduate study/research? No: see the Wellesley College Graduate Fellowships, instead, and our advice on searching for funding for graduate/professional degrees.
- Are there limitations on where I can go? The Stevens is for travel outside the United States and, regardless of their citizenship, applicants must adhere to Wellesley's travel policy for students and graduates. (Questions may be referred to Kate Dailinger, via fellowships@wellesley.edu.)
- What do people do with the Stevens? All kinds of projects! Read, for just one example, the account by Deborah Cramer ’73, or listen to what Julie Lindahl '88 has to say!
- If I receive the Stevens, when can I travel? Generally, we expect that Fellows will depart on their travels duing the academic year following the award (e.g. if you win an award in the spring term, travel could begin any time between July 1 of that year and June 30 of the following calendar year), but travels need not be entirely completed within that span.
- What if I have questions, or would like to talk things over as I prepare my application? Please feel free to email us at fellowships@wellesley.edu, drop in to Virtual Fellowship Pop-Up Advising (see Career Education events listings for details), and/or book a Fellowships advising appointment to talk things over with us--we can't wait to talk with you!
Application checklist
To apply, send the following by 11:30 pm on March 12, 2025 to: fellowships@wellesley.edu.
- Completed application form (with more comprehensive application instructions). The application form link will take you to a Google document, which you may download as a Microsoft Word document, and from there type in your information. Please save your completed application as a PDF for your final submission via email. (Should you have any difficulties, you may send us the Word version.)
- Personal Statement
- Project Proposal
- Preliminary Budget
- List of any additional materials you are submitting in support of your application. Include a self-addressed envelope if you wish to have any material returned to you.
- Three letters of reference (please use the enclosed forms). Please give your recommenders this link to allow them to submit their letters (should they have any difficulty with the link, please ask them to email their letters to fellowships@wellesley.edu).
Finalist interviews are expected to take place via video chat or telephone in April or May.
Please note that those selected as Stevens Fellows will need to be able to provide proof of vaccination, in order for travel to be approved or funds disbursed.
Questions?
Email fellowships@wellesley.edu or call Caitlin Roberts-Donovan at 781.283.2347.
*What's "the thing you want to do most but won't talk about"? Might the Stevens be the way to pursue your dream project?
