Einaudi Dissertation Proposal Development Program

Overview

Develop your dissertation on global issues with a toolkit of resources. You’ll participate in seminars, workshops, and mentoring sessions over the course of the year and receive up to $2,000 for your summer research travel. Applications are due November 30.

DPD supports 24 PhD students annually. Applicants’ research projects must focus on global issues, but the proposed research setting may be international or domestic. The DPD award covers economy airfare only. No other travel expenses will be considered for funding.

2027 Program and Mentors

This DPD cycle begins in the spring semester, with funding for research travel in summer 2027. The program includes these community-building and mentoring events:

Spring seminars: Up to three sessions on topics including proposal writing, research methods, and interdisciplinary international studies.
Spring workshop: Three-day workshop in May to help you refine your proposal and plan your summer pre-dissertation research.
Fall workshop: Three-day workshop in September to support you as you finalize your dissertation proposal.

Applicants must commit to attending all seminar and workshop sessions. If selected, you are required to conduct at least six weeks of summer research away from Cornell between the workshops.

DPD Faculty Facilitators

Virginia Doellgast, Estabrook Professor of Employment Relations and Dispute Resolution (ILR)
Mara Du, Associate Professor of History (A&S)
Ziad Fahmy, Professor of Near Eastern Studies (A&S)
John Zinda, Associate Professor of Global Development (CALS)