TINKER-WALKER AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP FOR
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MASTER’S STUDENTS
The International Development Program offers travel fellowships for the Spring, Summer, and Fall for the
purpose of assisting students involved in SRP or Thesis Research, Development Management Practica, or
Internships. The number of awards available will depend on the quality of proposals submitted and the travel
costs of the approved proposals. This Fellowship is named in honor of Drs. Irene Tinker and Millidge
Walker, former members of the International Development Faculty whose generous support has helped make
this program possible.
Eligible Students: All currently enrolled students pursuing either the MAID or the MSDM degree are
eligible to apply. Students should have completed at least 18 credit hours of the program by the time the
proposed project is to begin.
Eligible Projects: Any project that directly relates to the student’s program of study, which involves a
significant overseas stay (at least ten weeks) will be considered. This includes research projects (including
SRP research and thesis research), practicum research (for MSDM students), internships, and co-ops.
Criteria for Selection: Students should prepare proposals that provide clear evidence of a well-planned and
feasible research undertaking, including the following: (a) a clear research proposal and detailed plan of
action, (b) evidence of institutional support in the country (e.g. offering of housing, research affiliation or
internship position, and a list of individuals and institutions in-country that are supporting the project), (c)
relevance to the student’s program of study, (d) evidence that the project will be successfully completed
(students who have not completed the project within a year after the end of the program will be expected to
refund the fellowship), (e) a brief budget of expenses, and estimated cost of air fare, and (f) an indication of
support from a faculty member in the ID program who will supervise the project.
Amount of Award: Awards will be equal to or less than the amount of the least expensive round-trip airline
ticket to the country chosen.
Deadlines: Spring 2016 applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, November 20, 2015; Summer and Fall
2016 applications are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 4, 2016. All proposals should be submitted in hard
copy to the ID Program Coordinator, Emilie Cooper, in SIS 228.
Insurance: Every student participating in university-sponsored travel must carry international travel
insurance. Students should carry their own primary insurance or AU student insurance. The international
insurance covers medivac and other grave emergencies. The information can be found at:
http://www.american.edu/finance/rmehs/inttravel.cfm. In order for the insurance to be purchased, TinkerWalker Fellows must sign a waiver. You cannot receive your Tinker-Walker money until this waiver is signed
and returned to the Program Coordinator.
Reporting: Within 30 days of return to the US, awardees will be required to submit a one-page description
of their overseas stay, professional experience, and lessons learned. Three high resolution photos of their
work in the field should also be included for marketing purposes. Awardees should include the contact
information of the organization to which they were attached, and based on experiences, advise whether future
students should seek affiliation there. Failure to report may affect their standing in the program. This
information will be added to the international internship file found in the IDP office. Awardees are required
to attend the luncheon with the sponsors and the Tinker-Walker Fellows. The Program Coordinator will
send information regarding the luncheon at the beginning of the Fall semester.
Tinker-Walker Fellowship Program
Proposal Guidelines
1. Title Page
Name
AU ID#
Address
Telephone
Email
Date of Application
One-sentence description of proposal, including country to visit, nature of proposal (SRP,
practicum, or internship), and the topic or focus.
Dates of proposed visit.
Number of university credit hours that will be completed by the time of the overseas study
program.
Amount requested.
Signature of faculty sponsor.
2. Body of Proposal (3 pages maximum) Include the following:
Clear statement of the research proposal, practicum, or internship.
Relevance of this proposal for your program of study.
Detailed plan of action (specify what you will do while there and give the projected date of
completion of all requirements of the SRP, practicum, or internship).
Evidence of institutional support (who will be working with you, what type of institutional
affiliation you will have, how housing and other similar items will be arranged).
3. Attachments
Brief estimated budget for all expenses, including estimated cost of airfare.
Supporting letters from overseas sponsors or persons who will be supporting you on the project.