“The LLCB fellowship was simply one of the best experiences as a graduate student. It is so rare for such a diverse group from academia and the literary world to get together and discuss our work.”

—Thomas Hafer, 2011–2012 dissertation fellow, History

“Every Graduate Center student knows the hardship of balancing their love for what they do with the high costs of living in NYC. Without the Leon Levy Center grant last year, there is no way I could have made as much progress on my dissertation as I did.”

—Peter-Christian Aigner, 2012–2013 dissertation fellow, History: “The Politician and the Professor: Daniel Patrick Moynihan and the Strains of Modern American Liberalism.”

The Leon Levy Center for Biography offers Dissertation Fellowships for two Ph.D. candidates at the Graduate Center. Applications are welcome from students in any discipline, but an applicant’s dissertation project must be devoted to biography in order to be considered. Dissertation Fellows are provided with writing space, and participate in the monthly biography fellow seminars. They will also be expected to attend the Leon Levy Center for Biography’s annual lecture and the annual conference.

Application forms will be available from the Provost’s office. The application requires a statement of purpose to the Leon Levy Center for Biography, a dissertation proposal, a bibliography, two letters of reference and a CV. Applications are received by the Provost’s Office and are reviewed by the Leon Levy Center for Biography.

Learn about our current and former fellows »

Questions? Be sure to read our Fellowships FAQ.