Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship - Building Change

The Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship Program: Building Change seeks to reinforce and expand efforts to recruit racially and ethnically diverse individuals to the LIS professorate.  In 2006, with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, the American Library Association (ALA) launched the Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship Program and oversaw the recruitment of twelve doctoral candidates.  Under the current project, ALA will continue its efforts to recruit doctoral candidates from ethnically diverse backgrounds and work with participating academic programs to support their education and attainment of their degree. 

With funding from IMLS, selected Spectrum Doctoral Fellows receive full tuition support and stipends for two years beginning in the Fall of 2013; support for participation in professional conferences where they can share their research;  and participation in two Spectrum Doctoral Fellows Institutes to prepare for their doctoral studies and dissertation work.  Participating academic programs provide full tuition and stipends for Spectrum Doctoral Fellows’ required remaining years of study after the first two years.   

Description of Award

Seven (7) Spectrum Doctoral Fellowships will be awarded and announced by April 1, 2013.  Selected Fellows must be admitted to one of the participating doctoral programs and must begin their studies in the Fall of 2013.  The funding package provided by the Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship is determined by each participating program so that the funding remains consistent across all funded years of study. 

Resources for Prospective Doctoral Students

The ALA Office for Diversity partnered with doctoral students across the country to develop a series of webinars on preparing for doctoral studies. 

You can also connect with current and potential doctoral students via the Doctoral Recruitment Network in ALA Connect.  You do not need to be an ALA Member to join ALA Connect.  Use the Community to post questions about specific doctoral programs and to stay connected with researchers in the field as you pursue your studies.
ALA Connect

Timeline for Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship Program: Building Change

Summer 2012-November 8, 2012: Application for Spectrum Doctoral Fellowships accepted, individuals must apply to the Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship by November 8 and to their PhD program(s) of interest by the program's posted deadlines.
Summer 2012-Spring 2013: Applications to Doctoral programs submitted per the terms and requirements of each program. 
Spring 2013: The Office for Diversity, in cooperation with participating academic programs, selects Spectrum Doctoral Fellows who have also been accepted to participating academic programs.
Fall 2013:   Spectrum Doctoral Fellows begin their doctoral study.

Participating Academic Programs

  • Dominican University
  • Drexel University
  • Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
  • Simmons College
  • Syracuse University
  • Texas Woman’s University
  • University of Alabama
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Missouri
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • University of North Texas
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of South Carolina
  • University of Tennessee
  • University of Texas at Austin
  • University of Washington
  • University of Wisconsin - Madison
  • University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Thanks to our partner:

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The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

Questions?

Please contact Gwendolyn Prellwitz, ALA Office for Diversity & Spectrum at 1.800.545.2433 ext. 5048 or email us at spectrum@ala.org with questions regarding the Spectrum Doctoral Program.