English Master of Arts Summer Plan-B Fellowship
Purpose:
The Summer Plan-B Fellowships provide funding of $1,000 - $2,500 each to one or more
graduate students in the English MA Program. These fellowships enable recipients to
dedicate themselves to finishing one Plan-B project over the summer and to complete
their Master of Arts Degree in two years.
Eligibility:
Any first-year English Master of Arts student in good academic standing with no
incomplete credits may apply.
Application:
 Please use the cover-page form provided below, including the following information:
o Cover page with applicant’s name, contact information (address, email, phone),
date, title of paper or project
o Indication of support from Plan-B Paper or Project Advisor

Prospectus of the Plan-B Paper or Project including the following:
o Brief abstract of the paper or project regarding the topic, scope, problem and
preliminary thesis of the project
o Preliminary outline of the work
o Plan for action describing the expansions and revisions agreed on with the Plan-B
Paper/Project Advisor
o Annotated bibliography of works regarding the project

Preliminary Draft of the Paper or Project (i.e. either a completed seminar paper/project or
one in progress). Research papers (literary, linguistic, rhetorical and pedagogical),
creative writing, new media, and professional portfolio projects are all eligible for
consideration.

A copy of the signed Contract Form for ENGL 5591 (Plan B)
Deadline:
Applications must be submitted by the 12:00 noon, on Friday of the eighth week of
classes in the spring semester to the Director of Graduate Studies.
Evaluation:
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the quality and potential of the work-inprogress; completeness of the application; and thoroughness, development, and attention
to detail, especially in the prospectus and plan for action.
Follow-up:
Fellowship award recipients must submit completed and approved Plan-B paper by 12:00
noon on Friday of the fifth week of classes in the fall semester.
Fellowship award recipients must also present their completed papers or projects to an
audience of the students in English 8906, invited faculty and peers in the program during
the first two weeks of the fall semester.
Prospectus
Abstract: Briefly describe the paper or project. 300 word limit
 Indicate the type of paper or project: Research, pedagogical, creative writing, new media,
professional portfolio, or other faculty approved alternative.
o Please note if the project requires IRB/human-subjects approval and if such
approval has been granted.
 Explain the scope and nature of the problem addressed by this paper/project
Preliminary Outline: 1 page limit
 Preliminary thesis or statement of goals
 Describe your approach to the problem
 Steps toward discovery in the argument, arc of narrative or poetic endeavor, or media
preparation
 The Payoff: describe the potential significance of the paper or project
Plan for action: 1 page limit
 Describe the expansions and revisions agreed on with the Plan-B Paper/Project Advisor
Annotated Bibliography (as appropriate): Annotations should be brief (50 words maximum).
Bibliography may include some combination of the following.
 Primary Texts
 Critical and/or Theoretical Sources
 Archival Materials
 Historical Materials, Sources, Analogues
UMD English Master of Arts Program
Summer Plan-B Fellowship Competition
Name of Applicant:
___________________________________________
Contact Information: ___________________________________________
email: ___________________________________________
phone: ___________________________________________
address: __________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Title of Plan-B Paper/Project: _____________________________________________________
Applicant Signature: _________________________________________ Date: ____________
Assessment of Plan-B Paper/Project Advisor
Advisor: __________________________________________
The applicant has met with me regarding his/her progress on the Plan-B paper:
[ ] yes [ ] no
I approve of the plan for completion:
[ ] yes [ ] no
The plan for completion can be accomplished over the summer:
[ ] yes [ ] no
I will be available for some consultation and advisement over the summer:
[ ] yes [ ] no
This Plan-B Paper/Project merits support in the form of a summer fellowship:
[ ] yes [ ] no
Advisor Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: ____________
Additional Comments: (please attach additional comments, as necessary or desired)