Ann Cornelisen Fund for Post Graduate Fellowships

Application Deadline: February 1

Click here to see a list of past recipients and language programs.

Each year the Committee on Fellowships will award the Vassar Ann Cornelisen Fund for Post Graduate Fellowship to graduating seniors and recent graduates of Vassar. Given by a generous alum of Vassar College who believed strongly in the necessity of language and cultural study, this gift will make possible the opportunity for study of a current spoken language in any country outside the United States, preferably in conjunction with an interest in sociology, diplomatic service or international law. A well-developed proposal of study with a clear academic focus is required. Fellows will ordinarily be enrolled in a formal foreign language program. Previous study in the proposed language is not required. Cornelisen fellowships take place over the course of a year, the fellowship is not intended for summer study or short term programs.

One may apply for a Cornelisen Fellowship before the arrangements for study at the foreign location are complete, however, there should be a very strong possibility that affiliation or admission will be attainable. This award is contingent upon establishing an appropriate affiliation prior to departure.

In a typical year there may up to six Cornelisen Fellowships awarded in the amount of up to a maximum of $18,000 each depending on the nature and location of the proposed project and the expenses anticipated. The amount of the Cornelisen award will be determined by the Committee on Fellowships and may not be sufficient to cover all of the expenses projected by the applicant. It is therefore very important for all applicants to include a carefully prepared and well-researched budget or listing of anticipated expenses associated with the study.

Normally, the language study should take place over the course of the academic year—roughly September through May. As with all Vassar Fellowships, all arrangements and applications for entry to the proposed schools and/or private tutors are the responsibility of the applicant. Cornelisen Fellowships may not be deferred and must be used in the year for which they are awarded.

The Dean of Studies Office will only fund travel to or study in any area that is under U.S. State Department Travel Advisory level 3 or 4 if granted through a petition process. This policy applies to travel to countries designated as advisory level 3 or 4 as well as regions designated as advisory level 3 or 4 within a country with an advisory level 1 or 2. See the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory website for advisory levels and detailed information about safety and security information for each country.

Please review the College Policy on Student Travel for information about travel to countries on a CDC level 3 or 4 Travel Warning.

Campus Deadline is February 1, this includes letters of recommendation.

Use the Recommendation Registration Form to register two people to serve as your referees (at least one must be a Vassar College faculty member). You must register your writers before you submit your application and inform them that the letters are due by the campus deadline.
Download the Budget Worksheet and complete prior to completing your application. You will need it when you are ready to submit.
Complete the Ann Cornelisen Fellowship for Seniors and Alums application form and submit it by the campus deadline.

Should you be awarded a fellowship please keep in mind that changes or modifications to your plan of study will only be considered in the event that there are extenuating circumstances (something preventing you from participating in the program you proposed: program cancellation, unsafe travel conditions, etc.)

For Applicants: You must submit your application through the online system as indicated above. Please note that you cannot save information in the application and return to it at a later date. Seniors will need a transcript with fall grades included so seniors won't be able to submit the application until mid-January, the earliest. You should save your work in a separate document and enter it all at once when you are ready to submit.

For Letter Writers: Candidates should register their references through the online application. Once registered, writers will receive a link to this form Letter of Recommendation Submission Form. If you haven't received an email please follow up with the applicant to ensure that you have been registered to write on his/her behalf. You may access this form at any time through this site, however, you cannot save information and return to the form at a later date.

Reporting Requirements and Tax Obligations for current fellows (30KB)

Cornelisen Fellowship recipients shall report in writing to the Committee on Fellowships two times during the year. If we do not receive the mid-year report, we reserve the right to retain the balance of the fellowship funds. Each Fellow is responsible for any tax consequences associated with the fellowship and assumes total responsibility for complying with the rules and regulations of the host country and institution. Vassar College shall not be responsible for any injury, illness, or property loss sustained by a Fellowship recipient.

Vassar College reserves the right to terminate a Cornelisen Fellowship and be refunded unused funds from the Fellow, in the event the Fellow

fails to submit timely reports of progress in the approved course of study for which the Fellowship was awarded;
fails to report any changes in the plan or program of study for which the Fellowship was awarded;
fails to report any additional funds awarded from other sources;
misappropriates any part of the Cornelisen Fellowship stipend;
violates the criminal laws of the United States or of any country to which the Fellow travels; or
fails to complete the plan or program of study for which the Fellowship was awarded.