AMI Graduate Women & Gender Studies Fellowship Application
The Alexa McDonough Institute (AMI) at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) invites applications for its graduate student fellowships. Appointments will start in October and end in June.
Who can apply: MSVU students enrolled in the first or second year of the Graduate Women and Gender Studies program with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
Research area: In keeping with the mission of the AMI and the social priorities of its namesake, Alexa McDonough, the research area should be broadly related to one or more of the following themes:
–> The advancement of women and girls (through feminist theory and methods);
–> The advancement of social and public policy, including social welfare and planning policy;
–> The advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility;
–> The advancement of Truth and Reconciliations calls to action.
Appointment: AMI Junior Research Fellowships are for an 8-month continuous term, beginning in October and ending in June.
Award / Support: Based on the applicant pool, the AMI will either award one fellowship of $4, 000 payable in two installments (January and June) or award two fellowships of $2,000 payable in two installments (January and June)
Application deadline: September 2025
Questions? Please email Dr. Carrie Dawson, Dean of Arts and Science, carrie.dawson@msvu.ca
AMI Graduate Women and Gender Studies Fellows are expected to contribute to the goals and profile of the Institute in the following ways:
–> Make one substantive contribution to the research profile of the Institute, preferably engaging with the broader community. Contributions could include (co-)organizing and participating in a
panel, a round table discussion, or a public lecture. AMI Graduate Women and Gender Studies Fellows are encouraged to work in partnership with MSVU faculty, the AMI Chair, the
AMI Steering Committee, and/or the MSVU Research Office, where appropriate, on events or activities they wish to put together.
–> Make one substantive contribution to the life of the Institute by actively contributing to a key initiative (e.g., International Day of the Girl, December 6 Day of Remembrance, or the Girls
Conference)
–> Support the Institute by attending occasional events and meetings of the AMI Steering Committee
–> Support the Institute in communicating and promoting activities through sharing event notices and social media content
–> Provide permission to be listed on the Institute’s website with a short bio and photo.
How to Apply
Submit an application that includes the following:
• A 500-word statement indicating how your academic and research goals align with the above-listed themes and the AMI’s mission
• A 500-word statement outlining deliverables you would achieve in your 8-month appointment
• A current CV
• A copy of your transcripts
Assessment Criteria
• Academic merit 40%
• Alignment with the AMI mission and identified research areas/themes 20%
• Feasibility (e.g. How will you ensure successful completion of outlined goals within 8-month fellowship?) 15%
• Impact (e.g. How will you ensure you have successfully reached your target audience?) 15%
Submit your application electronically to Dr. Carrie Dawson, Dean of Arts & Science, carrie.dawson@msvu.ca, with the subject line “AMI-GWGS Fellow Application.”
The AMI expects to appoint two Fellows for the 8-month term beginning October, 2025.
Congratulations to Adebola Osegboun, the 2024-2025 Fellowship Recipient!
Adebola Esther Osegboun is the 2024 Fellow of the Alexa McDonough Institute for Women, Gender and Social Justice at Mount Saint Vincent University. She is also a master’s student in Women and Gender Studies and a recipient of Dr. Ramona Lumpkin and Dr. William Blackburn Scholarship, Women & Gender Studies Graduate Scholarship, and Julie Ann Carroll Memorial Graduate Studies Scholarship Awards. She was born and raised in Nigeria, a country where social injustice, gender inequality and women’s rights violation remain pervasive. She holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in political science. Her research and teaching background in political science coupled with her volunteering experience with NGOs that focus on women empowerment initiatives informed her interest women and gender studies. Adebola’s research centres around feminist critique of Nigeria’s public policies and how this affects women participation and representation in electoral politics.
