IRiSS Predoctoral Research Fellowship Program FAQ
Do you accept international applications?
Visa sponsorship is not available for this fellowship. All candidates must have authorization to work in the United States by July 10, 2024, or an offer may be rescinded.
May I use my practical training for this position?
Students currently resident in the U.S. under an F-1 visa with 12 months of OPT available as of July 10, 2024 may apply. All candidates must have authorization to work in the United States by July 10, 2024, or an offer may be rescinded.
Do we need to provide test scores for the program (GRE/GMAT/TOEFL)?
No, we do not require test scores.
I did not major in a social science discipline. May I still apply?
Yes, we consider non-social science majors for these positions, unless otherwise stated in the faculty research project eligibility requirements. However, applicants should have strong interest in the social sciences, and an enthusiasm for learning quantitative or qualitative research methods.
Do you accept application material by email?
No, we are unable to review applications received by email. All application material should be submitted via the application portal.
My advisor would like to submit a recommendation letter. How do I do that?
We do not accept unsolicited recommendation letters on behalf of candidates. They will not be read. If candidates are selected for interviews, we will request references and contact those references directly.
You provide the option of including a writing sample. What should I include?
The Writing Sample is optional but encouraged. It may be of any length, and should demonstrate your academic writing skills. The paper must be in English. An excerpt of an undergraduate thesis or term paper is an acceptable example.
What should I include in my résumé/CV?
Include all relevant education, research experience, work experience, volunteer experience and skills.
What can I do to make my application more competitive for the IRiSS Predoc Program?
Our faculty look for strong academic records (GPA, high grades in related courses), and clear writing skills. Double check your application material for completeness and make sure there are no typos or mistakes in your cover letter, résumé, or writing sample, as our faculty also value attention to detail. Additional eligibility requirements are listed with each faculty research project description.
What if I’m interested in more than three projects?
We ask you to apply to no more than three top choices.
What if I’m interested in a project in a field other than my degree field?
You may include projects from other fields in your three top choices.
What are the opportunities for taking classes?
Stanford staff may audit classes with instructor permission. We encourage fellows to audit no more than one class per quarter.
Is it an advantage to have a master's degree when applying for the fellowship?
You are not required to have a master's degree for admission to the predoc program. A strong master's transcript may be helpful if you believe your undergraduate coursework does not adequately reflect your abilities in the social sciences, but is not guaranteed to give you an edge above other applicants.
I am currently enrolled in a doctoral program. May I apply?
This program is not intended for students currently enrolled in graduate programs.
May I work remotely?
No, this is an on-site position.
How many students apply to your program?
We are not releasing our application numbers at this time.
How do I apply?
The job description for the 2025–26 program year will be posted to the Stanford University Careers site in fall 2024. Check back then for a link to the live posting.
Format all filenames of the documents you upload with your application as described on that website. Be sure to include the project letter and interest ranking number in the relevant filenames themselves. For example:
- LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_TRANSCRIPT.pdf, as in YBARRA_CAROLYN_TRANSCRIPT.pdf
- LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_RESUME.docx
- LASTNAME_FIRST_BACKGROUND.docx
- LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_WRITING.docx
- LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_PROJ_C_1.pdf
- LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_PROJ_A_2.pdf
- LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_PROJ_D_3.pdf
Questions?
For further questions, please email irisspredoc [at] stanford.edu (irisspredoc[at]stanford[dot]edu).