Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
I. Questions on the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program
II. Questions on the Application Process
III. Technical IssuesI. Questions on the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program
What is the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program?Georgetown University and the China Scholarship Council (CSC) established the China Scholarship Council-Georgetown University Fellowship Program in May 2006 to support one-year post-doctoral fellowships for studies at Georgetown in Washington, DC. Fields of study will include natural sciences, physical, life and health sciences, public policy, applied social sciences, international affairs and others. See press release.
In April 2009, the China Scholarship Council-Georgetown University Fellowship Program had its agreement renewed. Liu Jinghui, Secretary-General of the China Scholarship Council, is pictured above with James O'Donnell, Provost of Georgetown University, signing this extension.
Am I eligible for a Fellowship?
Eligible candidates will:
- Have received a PhD degree by March 20, 2010
- Be permanently employed at a university or research institute in China (Candidates who are currently on a temporary post-doctoral contract with a Chinese university or research institute will not be eligible.)
- Possess high-level English-language skills
- Present a compelling and explicit statement of interest in Georgetown research and teaching projects
- Be assessed on the originality of their scholarship and the high quality of their academic record
- Have returned to China for at least 5 years if you have received a previous award from the China Scholarship Council
Applicants will be assessed on the originality of their scholarship and the quality of their academic record.
How long will the fellowship last?
Fellowships will last 12-24 months depending on the fellowship, starting in September or October 2010.
What is the timeline for the Fellowship?
2009
- October through December: Information sessions for prospective Fellows in Beijing will be held in China and online. Click here for specific times and locations. These sessions are for questions about the application process. The professors hosting the fellowships will not be present, so questions about the research to be conducted during a fellowship should be sent by e-mail.
2010
- January 10: Deadline to submit application to Georgetown
- Late January: English Assessment Interview for selected candidates
- February 26: Georgetown will make Fellowship offers to candidates. These offers will be contingent upon CSC funding approval.
- March 20: Deadline for a candidate who received an offer from Georgetown to apply for CSC funding.
- Mid-July: CSC announces Fellowship recipients.
- July-August: Fellows accept offers and apply for US visa
- Early September: Fellowship begins
Stipends will be provided to Fellowship recipients by the CSC and Georgetown University:
- CSC:
- 1,150 USD per month which will be paid by the Chinese Embassy or Chinese Consulate General in U.S.
- roundtrip international travel expenses
- US visa application fees
- Georgetown:
- at least 1,350 USD per month
- space at Georgetown in which to work
- e-mail account, access to computers, telephones
- access to Georgetown libraries, and academic databases
You may contact Mr. Taowei Chen, Project Officer, CSC Division of America & Oceania Affairs at twchen@csc.edu.cn. The CSC official website is: http://www.csc.edu.cn.
II. Questions on the Application Process
What language should be used when completing the application forms?All responses should be provided in English. For clarification of a translation into English of a Chinese name, you may also want to provide the name in pinyin. With the exception of the signature box, please do not use Chinese characters on the form.
What should I say in my Personal Statement?
Your personal statement should:
- be no more than 500 words
- state your goals and objectives for the Fellowship
- state what you hope to bring to, and gain from, the Fellowship
- highlight areas of your background or interests that make you a strong candidate
No, you do not need to submit the official forms with your application, but you may be asked to produce such official documentation at a later date. The TOEFL exam is not required; it is simply one way of demonstrating your proficiency with the English language.
Will there be an interview?
Georgetown may conduct interviews to assess your English language skills and to clarify other issues with your application. Not all candidates will be interviewed. Candidates should not request an interview from Georgetown staff or individual faculty members.
Will there be information sessions?
Yes. The onsite information sessions will be conducted in October 2009 at Xi'an Jiaotong University (西安交通大学), Sichuan University in Chengdu (四川大学), and Nanjing University in Nanjing (南京大学). Click here for specific times and locations.
How do I pay my Application Fee?
You can pay your application fee by either credit card, cash, or wire transfer.
For credit card payment, please pay your fee by following the link provided below. After you have paid, enter your "Merchant Ref#" in your application form. http://keycart.georgetown.edu/sites/index.cfm?
Action=View&SiteID=11
For payment in cash, please pay your application fee in person at:
See map at: http://provost.georgetown.edu/41370.html .
Please contact the Office in advance to arrange an appointment. Phone: 021-5566-4618 or shanghaioffice@georgetown.edu
Yes. To use a credit other than your own, please provide your name and the information requested on the "Contact and/or shipping information" page. On the "Billing Information" page, you will need to delete your name and information, and replace them with the name and information requested for the credit card holder. An e-mail will be sent to the addresses provided.
How will the charge appear on my credit card statement?
Charges will appear on your credit card statement as "GT UNIV OFC OF PROVOST."
Can I apply for more than one Fellowship?
You may apply for more than one Fellowship, however, each
Fellowship requires a separate application form and application fee.
How do I know if my application materials have been received?
After you have submitted your application form, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from the Georgetown administrator. That message will indicate if your application is complete, or if it is missing your two recommendation forms. Once all elements of your application are received (application form and two recommendation forms), you will receive a confirmation e-mail indicating that your application is complete.
Are late applications accepted?
No. All of your application materials must be received by January 10, 2010.
III. Technical Issues
What software do I need to open the application forms?You will need Microsoft Word to open and complete the forms. If you do not have access to Microsoft Word, please contact the Georgetown administrator at cscfellowship@georgetown.edu
It is difficult to type in the form on my computer. What should I do?
As the form has defined areas for applicant's data, you may find it easier to compose your statement in another text document and then copy and paste the final version into the application form.
How can I move between fields on the application form?
The tab key can be used to move between all fields in the form. You may also use your mouse to point and click on the field in which you wish to input data.
Who can I contact if I have other technical issues not addressed here?
You may send an e-mail to the Georgetown administrator at cscfellowship@georgetown.edu.
