Summer 2022 Fellowship FAQ

Many questions you may have are addressed in the Fellowships and Funding FAQ. Please see below for situations specific to summer 2022:

FAQ: Where can I get information about the Light Fellowship, Yale Postgraduate Fellowships, and national/international awards?

If you applied for the Light Fellowship or a Yale Postgraduate Fellowship, you will receive guidance via email.  If you are thinking of applying for a national or international award, please see the individual descriptions in the Student Grants Database and/or the individual websites for further information on summer 2022. 

FAQ: Are CIPE fellowships still going ahead this summer?

Summer Fellowships are going ahead with some restrictions, as per the Yale College Travel Policy. For international activities, there may be restrictions on a country by country basis. As usual, students will be selected for summer fellowships based on the strength and feasibility of their proposal. 
PLEASE NOTE:  If the Yale College Travel Policy does not allow travel to the proposed country or region as of April 5th, the project proposed will need to be conducted remotely from the student’s summer location. A flat amount of $4,000 will be awarded for remote experiences.

It is always a good idea to have a backup plan, particularly because of changing situations, uncertainty, and travel restrictions currently in place across the world.

FAQ: How does the April 5th announcement  affect summer fellowships?

Sponsored outbound international travel for Yale College students is governed by the Yale University Travel Policy for Yale College Students (Travel Policy). Fellowships administrators will be in touch with all CIPE fellowship applicants after April 5 to notify them as to whether they will need to carry out their project remotely or if they may be able to carry out their project in person.

FAQ: What are my options for summer 2022?

As usual, you may only submit one application for CIPE summer fellowships. You may propose an in-person experience and provide information as to how that would be carried out remotely, if necessary. Alternatively, you may propose an activity which will be carried out remotely from wherever you are located.

FAQ: Do the fellowship eligibility requirements still apply?

Eligibility restrictions on fellowships have not changed. If you are applying for a fellowship which is for international travel, you may submit an application to carry out a remote experience from where you are based but the internship or research you are proposing must be based outside of the USA. Please see the eligibility criteria for each fellowship in the Student Grants Database.

FAQ: What about seniors graduating in December who are interested in applying for CIPE summer fellowships?

Students who graduate in December are eligible to apply for most CIPE summer fellowships in the summer before graduation.

Travel Policy and Travel Logistics

Note: As of April 5th, if the Yale College Travel Policy does not allow travel to the proposed country or region, the project proposed will need to be conducted remotely.

FAQ: How do I interpret the updated Travel Policy? (March 8, 2022)

You will see that travel is restricted to locations where the U.S. State Department has issued a Travel Advisory Level 4 "Do Not Travel" for the country, except when the “Do Not Travel” advisory applies only to COVID-19. The State Department uses the following rating scale:   

1. Exercise Normal Precautions
2. Exercise Increased Caution
3. Reconsider Travel
4. Do Not Travel

Restrictions will only be in place for countries that have reasons other than COVID-19 listed in their statements that begin with “Do not travel…”.

An example of restricted location would be one with a statement such as: “Do not travel to [country name] due to COVID-19 and the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention.”

An example of a permitted location would be one with a statement such as the following because the “Do not travel” component only applies to COVID-19: “Do not travel to [country name] due to COVID-19.  Reconsider travel to [country name] due to crime.  Exercise increased caution in [country name] due to civil unrest, terrorism, and kidnapping.  Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.”

FAQ: Can I travel if my original destination becomes eligible for travel after April 5 (according to the Yale College Travel Policy).

No. This year, the Yale College Travel Policy will be consulted on April 5, 2022 to determine whether or not you may use Yale funding to travel to your proposed destination. If your proposed destination is not permitted as of April 5, 2022, you may not use Yale funding to travel to this destination during the summer of 2022.

FAQ: What if the Yale College Travel Policy permits travel to my proposed destination as of April 5th, but circumstances change after April 5th that restrict travel to my proposed destination?

If the Yale College Travel Policy does not allow travel to your proposed destination at the time of your intended departure, you should contact CIPE immediately. We will provide you with guidance in the event of such a change and we can help work towards completing your experience remotely.  Depending on the difference in cost, you may be required to return a portion of your award.

FAQ: I have received the COVID vaccine/booster, may I travel to a country which is not allowed given the restrictions of the Yale Travel Policy?  

No. Receiving  a COVID vaccine/booster does not override Yale’s Travel Policy for restricted countries. 

FAQ: If I am not awarded a fellowship, can I still travel independently?

Yale does not determine restrictions for independent travel, but you are still advised to follow institutional travel guidance. It is recommended that students review the Travel Policy and become familiar with the International SOS Global Travel Assistance services, ISOS COVID-19 resources, and CDC Travel During COVID-19 guidance.

Additionally, it is critical that you make informed travel decisions that prioritize the health and safety not only of yourself but also the communities in which you will engage. To help weigh the risks that your visit may add, even unintentionally, to the challenges that communities might be facing with Covid-19 and potentially other difficulties, be sure to research in-country operations, restrictions, and guidance on social behavior (including, but not limited to, vaccination/testing requirements, countrywide lockdowns and resource limitations). Such restrictions and guidance may mean curtailing the activities and behaviors that you might have otherwise intended or choosing to defer travel altogether.

If, after considering all of these health and safety factors, you still choose to travel independently, you would be doing so at your own risk, and with no academic credit transfer, funding, or institutional endorsement. You should register your travel with Yale so that you can be reached in the event of a major emergency.

Remote Experiences

FAQ: Will I be less likely to receive an award if I apply to conduct a remote experience? 

If your proposal is strong and you have demonstrated that you can carry out the proposed project remotely then you may propose a remote experience.

FAQ: I applied to carry out an in-person project but my location is restricted by Yale's Travel Policy. My project cannot be completed remotely. Can I propose a different project? 

No, you may only apply for a CIPE fellowship to carry out one project - either in person (if permitted by the travel policy) or remotely. We cannot accept multiple applications or applications for different projects after the fellowship deadline. If you cannot carry out your proposed project remotely, please let us know so that your application can be withdrawn.

FAQ: Will my budget be impacted if I am required to change from an in-person to a remote experience after April 5th (see Travel Policy Q&A above)?

Yes, if you are awarded a CIPE summer fellowship, and travel is resticted to your intended desination, a flat amount of $4,000 will be awarded for remote experiences.

Non-U.S. Citizens and Residents

FAQ: I am a non-US citizen – how does this affect me? 

As always, non-US citizens are eligible for CIPE fellowships but carrying out remote work or work in your current location may have important visa and/or tax implications. Non-US citizens are strongly advised to contact the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) to discuss the nuances of their individual situation and make an informed decision regarding their summer plans.  

FAQ: My residence is outside the U.S. Can I get funding to carry out a remote or in-person fellowship experience in my home country?

It is possible to be funded for an experience in your home country. Please refer to the eligibility requirements of the individual fellowship.

Internship Planning

FAQ: I plan to carry out an international internship. How can I work with my employer to make my experience remote, if necessary? 

You will need to be in touch with your employer to determine if it is possible and feasible for you to conduct your internship remotely. You may wish to share this helpful information from the Office of Career Strategy (OCS) for employers about creating a remote internship.

FAQ: If I am applying for an internship should I wait to hear from the internship before I apply for a fellowship?

You may apply for fellowship funding to support an internship before you have confirmation that you have been accepted onto the internship. You should make the situation clear in your fellowship proposal.

FAQ: I am applying for multiple internships. How do I address this in my fellowship application?

You should focus your fellowship application on one internship - either the internship you most want or the internship you think you are most likely to get. You may communicate in your proposal that multiple applications have been submitted. It is not necessary to name all organizations to whom you've applied. If your fellowship application is successful and you accept a different internship than that in your original proposal, please be in touch with our office so that we may present the changes to the committee who will review the new role and its eligibility for the fellowship awarded.   

FAQ: I still don’t know if I will receive the internship for which I applied. What should I do? 

You may apply for fellowships before you know whether you have been accepted to your proposed internship. However, in order to receive fellowship funding (which happens at a later date in the semester, usually mid-April), your employer must submit a confirmation form (Host Organization Verification Form). If the employer differs from your proposal, you will need to be in touch with our office so that we may present the changes to the committee who will review the new role and its eligibility for the fellowship awarded.

FAQ: What if I am awarded a fellowship but am then not accepted onto my internship?

If you were awarded a fellowship but find out that your internship application was not successful, be in touch with the fellowship administrator as soon as possible. If you have been accepted onto an alternate internship that is similar to the one you originally proposed and meets the eligibility requirements of the fellowship, the committee may allow the fellowship to be used towards the alternate internship. If that is not possible, you will decline the fellowship so that the funds can go to the next short-listed applicant.

FAQ: If I receive funds for an internship, what additional information will I need to provide? 

If you are awarded a fellowship, you will be asked to submit a Host Organization Verification form, signed by the Host Organization/employer. You will receive further information about this in your award documents, after you have been awarded. 

Research Planning

FAQ: I plan to carry out research. What happens if I need to do this remotely?

As you are applying to fellowships, you will need to consult with your faculty adviser or PI to see whether it is possible and feasible for you to carry out your research remotely and make appropriate plans for that eventuality. Please see our research resources page for further information about planning remote research.

FAQ: If I am doing research, do I need faculty support?

It will be necessary for you to have the guidance of your faculty advisor throughout your entire experience. Your advisor must agree that they are willing and able to provide this guidance throughout the summer.

FAQ: Are there guidelines for research involving Human Subjects?

If you are intending to carry out research involving Human Subjects, you will need to be especially aware of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines involving contact with subjects to protect their health and wellbeing. 

Budgeting and Awards

FAQ: Some fellowships (for example my college Richter) have caps on the amount that they will award. Should I still include my entire budget in the application?

Yes, you should use the same budget for each fellowship application. Awards may be combined to fund up to your total budget.

FAQ: Will I get the amount I requested in my budget? 

So that we may support as many students as possible, all CIPE fellowship awards for remote work will be a flat amount of up to $4000. These funds are intended to support you as you conduct your work remotely from your current residence.  If you are awarded to carry out your project in-person, you will be awarded an amount based on your budget, as approved by the committee.

FAQ: Can I be paid for my in-person or remote internship and receive a CIPE fellowship?

CIPE fellowships can only be used to support internships that are unpaid or low-paid (no more than $1500 for the duration of the internship). 

FAQ: Can I ask for fellowship funding to cover COVID-19 quarantine and testing costs for entering/leaving countries?

Fellowships may provide a limit of up to $1,200 towards COVID-19 quarantine and testing costs for entering another country or returning to the USA. You are advised to consult the entry requirements of the country you wish to travel to and of the country you will be returning to at the end of your experience.

FAQ: In the event that I am not awarded a fellowship, can I be reimbursed for any bookings or plans I have made?  

No. Fellowships are competitive and there is no guarantee that you will be selected to receive an award. By choosing to spend funds prior to receiving notification that you have received an award, you risk covering those costs yourself.

FAQ: When will I be notified whether I have been awarded a CIPE summer fellowship?

We hope to notify fellowship awardees as soon as possible, in late April or early May.

FAQ: If I am awarded a summer fellowship when will the money be disbursed?  

We plan to disburse fellowship funding immediately after awardees have accepted their fellowships, in late April or early May.

Deferring Summer Fellowships

FAQ: Can I defer a fellowship to next year so that I can do it in- person? 

Fellowship awards may not be deferred from one year to the next. You may apply for fellowships again next year.

FAQ: If I am awarded a fellowship for summer 2022 can I use it during the winter break instead?  

The limitations placed on CIPE fellowships have not changed. Most CIPE fellowships require a minimum duration of 6-8 weeks and as such cannot be used to conduct activities over the winter break. 

FAQ: If I am awarded a fellowship for summer 2022 can I use it during the semester instead?

Due to the limits of our funding sources, we are only able to award funding for the summer.