FAQ
How do I qualify for the 5+1 Fellowship?
What is the Indication of Interest Form and Why is it Important?
I’ve indicated my interest to the Dean’s office. What now?
What are the details of a 5+1 appointment?
What will my duties and responsibilities during my 5+1 Fellowship be?
I held a premium fellowship as a graduate student; will my 5+1 pay be higher as a result?
Will I be responsible for paying a portion of my own health insurance?
Do I have to start paying my student loans?
What is Onboarding, and do I have to participate?
I am here on a visa, how will that be affected by my joining the 5+1 program?
Where will I work? Will I be assigned a dedicated office space?
How do I access my professional development funding?
Who is available to help me while I am in the program?
How do I qualify for the 5+1 Fellowship?
- Complete your degree in 10 semesters of active study. This means students must be eligible for either May or August graduation prior to the start of the 11th semester of study. Deadlines for doctoral defenses, submissions, and various other requirements are available(and updated yearly) on the Graduate School’s website.
- Medical leaves of absence (without stipend) and childbirth accommodations (up to 2) may extend a student's eligibility for this program. Because each person's circumstances will be different, students should contact the A&L Dean's Office as early as possible to determine their eligibility, deadlines, and potential start date.
- Teaching & Research (T&R)
- For students seeking careers in academia
- You will teach a 1:1 course schedule
- This track is open to all students who entered their program before Fall 2020. For students admitted to begin studies in Fall 2020 and beyond, participation in the T&R Track is limited to the following programs:
- English, History, History & Philosophy of Science, Romance Languages, Medieval Institute, Philosophy, and Theology.
- Internship Track
- For students seeking careers outside the professoriate
- Internships are filled in a competitive process
- Internships are full time (40 hours/week)
- Students in all A&L programs are welcome to participate in the Internship Track.
What is the Indication of Interest Form and Why is it Important?
- The Indication of Interest is a form that outlines the requirements for application to and participation in the 5+1 program.
- Completing the Interest Form does not require a student to participate in the program. It enables better communication between the Program's directors and potential participants regarding teaching schedules, internship opportunities, visas, compensation, benefits, etc.
I’ve indicated my interest to the Dean’s office. What now?
- If you are interested in the T&R Track, keep in close contact with your department’s graduate coordinator. They will process your appointment packet and help arrange your teaching.
- If you are interested in the Internship Track, review the available internship opportunities and apply by the posted application deadline.
- Stay on track to have your dissertation submitted in time for either May or August graduation.
What are the details of a 5+1 appointment?
- In most cases, your appointment will be from August 1 - May 31. Some internships will have different appointment parameters. Fellows who took a medical leave or childbirth accommodation during their graduate program may also have an adjusted timeframe.
- Compensation:
- The salary for a T&R appointment will be at least $30,188. The salary for full-time internships will be at least $45,700.
- Fellows on both tracks receive staff benefits.
- All fellows have access to $1,500 in Professional Development Funding for the duration of their appointment.
What will my duties and responsibilities during my 5+1 Fellowship be?
- Teaching & Research Track
- Teaching plans must be approved before the appointment packet is submitted.
- The teaching schedule is 1:1
- Teaching MUST be at the University of Notre Dame or at a pre-approved affiliate University or local program.
- Alternate opportunities for instruction must be approved by the appropriate divisional Associate Dean.
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Internship Track
- Prospective fellows must apply for internships in a competitive process.
- This is a 40 hour/week professional internship with duties assigned by the hosting unit.
- Opportunities will be advertised on the 5+1 website and through direct mailings.
I held a premium fellowship as a graduate student; will my 5+1 pay be higher as a result?
- NO. Student success before the conferral of degree has no bearing on postdoctoral stipend levels.
Will I be responsible for paying a portion of my own health insurance?
- YES. The university subsidizes the cost significantly. 5+1 Postdocs are full-time paid appointments and are eligible for staff benefits, including health insurance. Incoming postdocs should work with HR to determine their benefit elections. Information on available benefits can be found on the HR website.
Do I have to start paying my student loans?
- Probably. Because you will no longer be a student, most lenders require repayment to begin 6 months after degree conferral. Please check with your specific loan provider for repayment details.
What is Onboarding, and do I have to participate?
- Onboarding is an informational session designed to educate new staff and guide them through their first week, month, and ongoing tenure within the University. The graduate administrator for your home department will sign you up for onboarding which you must complete in order to be eligible for university benefits.
I am here on a visa, how will that be affected by my joining the 5+1 program?
- Questions regarding visas should be addressed ASAP and directed to the International Student and Scholar Affairs team (issa@nd.edu).
I thought I would qualify for the program and am scheduled to teach a class, but I didn’t submit my dissertation in time. Do I still have to teach the course I am signed up for?
- YES. You will be paid the ABD adjunct rate of $4,000/ 3 credit hour course.
Where will I work? Will I be assigned a dedicated office space?
- Department Chairs are responsible for assigning departmental office space.
- Library carrels and shared office space are available by request. Please reach out to The A&L Dean's Office to make arrangements.
How do I access my professional development funding?
- Funds can only be used and reimbursed during the course of the 5+1 appointment. Any reimbursement requests submitted after the appointment end date will not be approved.
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Access to professional development funding is contingent upon the completion of a 1:1 meeting with a Graduate Career Consultant.
- 5+1 program participants are expected to meet at least once during the postdoc year with the Graduate Career Consultant for the College of Arts & Letters, either for assistance with job search and application materials, or to discuss their career goals and strategy more broadly.
- Upon completion of this meeting, the college will approve your access to your professional development funding.
- Questions on what expenses qualify as Professional Development should be directed to the A&L Dean's Office.
- [Please refer to university guidelines regarding university-sponsored travel during Academic Year 2021/2022] If you are using your PD funds to travel:
- If you are planning to book airfare, please do so directly through Anthony Travel which allows for direct billing to the College. Please note, if you do not book the airfare directly with Anthony Travel it may limit your ability to be reimbursed for the airfare expense.
- Save all of your receipts for your trip, including lodging and meals. Receipts can always be uploaded directly through the Concur Mobile App.
- At the conclusion of your trip, create a report in Concur.
- Help with Concur is always available on the TravelND website.
- If you are using your funds for a purpose other than travel (membership dues, research costs, etc.) please get the expense pre-approved by the Dean's Office. When the charge is approved, process the reimbursement through Concur.
Who is available to help me while I am in the program?
- Your Department Chair or Director of Graduate Studies
- Please visit our Contact page