The Murphy Institute's Center for Ethics Graduate Fellowship and Center for Public Policy Research Dissertation Fellowship

THE MURPHY INSTITUTE is pleased to announce two special funding opportunities for Tulane PhD students who have been admitted to doctoral candidacy: the Center for Ethics Graduate Fellowship Program and the Center for Public Policy Research Dissertation Fellowship. We welcome applications from candidates in any discipline, and students are eligible to apply for both awards if their dissertation projects meet the criteria for selection outlined below. Funding will be disbursed during the 2026-2027 academic year. The application deadline is February 1, 2026.

The Murphy Institute’s Center for Ethics (CE) offers CE Graduate Fellowships to Tulane doctoral students who are writing dissertations in the areas of ethics and public affairs, including but not limited to topics that broadly examine critical issues of right and wrong, justice and injustice, citizenship and community, and the ethics of the professions. Strong candidates for this award have demonstrated an interest in ethical questions that cut across disciplinary boundaries and are poised to make significant contributions to teaching and scholarship in the fields of ethics and public affairs.
The Center for Public Policy Research (CPPR) offers CPPR Dissertation Fellowships that support Tulane doctoral students engaged in research that aligns with political economy (broadly defined) and incorporates analysis of the impacts of various forms of policy. CPPR seeks applicants who have demonstrated an interest in approaches that advance public policy research and address how public policy impacts complex societal challenges.

Eligibility
For both fellowships, The Murphy Institute seeks candidates who are likely to make significant contributions to teaching and scholarship in their respective disciplines. All applicants must be enrolled in a Tulane University doctoral program and be formally admitted to doctoral candidacy according to the requirements specified by their academic department or school by the time the fellowship begins in the fall semester. We especially welcome applications from students who will defend their dissertations during the fellowship year.

Documents required to upload for application: current CV; Tulane University graduate transcript (unofficial transcript available via Gibson is acceptable); dissertation prospectus with progress to date; a writing sample (dissertation chapter or published article); and a statement of purpose (500 words maximum).

The statement of purpose for the CE Graduate Fellowship should clearly demonstrate how their project deeply engages with topics in ethics. (500 words maximum)
The statement of purpose for the Center for Public Policy Research Dissertation Fellowship should make a clear case for how their research addresses public policy impacts on complex social challenges. (500 words maximum)

Students may apply to be considered for (but cannot receive) both the CE Graduate Fellowship and the CPPR Dissertation Fellowship. If a student elects to apply for both awards, they will submit two statements of purpose to discuss how the dissertation project aligns with the aim of each fellowship. (See prompts above.)

Activities and Requirements
During the fellowship period, Fellows are expected to make substantial progress toward completing their degrees. They are also required to take part in the broader intellectual life of the Murphy Institute by attending Murphy's public-facing events like the Mary C. Parker Yates Lecture and the Center for Ethics Public Lectures, and attending Murphy Institute-sponsored seminars, workshops and research conferences that align with their academic interests. Fellows are encouraged to network with Murphy faculty and scholars to further their research and professional development.

Stipends
Students selected as CE Graduate Fellows or CPPR Dissertation Fellows will receive stipends equal to the amount that their discipline’s department/school typically offers their PhD candidates. In addition to a stipend, the fellowships cover the tuition costs for registration for dissertation research as well as the cost of enrollment in The Tulane-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (T-SHIP). CE Graduate Fellows and CPPR Dissertation Fellows receive a stipend for one academic year, with an option to apply for a second year of funding. The second year may be consecutive or non-consecutive with the first funded year. Awards will be announced by March 15, 2026.

Set Round (Hidden)

Application Cover Sheet

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Email Address

Select the fellowship you are applying for *

Department or Program

Year(s) of Previous Application(s)

Education Details

Degree(s) Conferred

Degree Conferred Date(s)

Degree Granting Institution(s) Name

Teaching Experience/Courses Taught

Title of Paper or Publication Enclosed

Title of Dissertation

Name of Dissertation Director/Faculty Advisor

Letters of Recommendation

Please provide the name, title, email, phone, and academic department of two Tulane University faculty members who will furnish letters of recommendation on your behalf. The first letter should be submitted by your dissertation director/faculty advisor. The second letter should come from another member of your dissertation committee.

Once you submit this application, your recommenders will receive an email with instructions regarding how to upload their letters to your application dossier.

Reference 1: Dissertation Director/Faculty Advisor

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

Title

Academic Department

Reference 2: Dissertation Committee Member

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

Title

Academic Department

Uploading Documents

Statement of Purpose

Discuss how your dissertation project aligns with the aim of the fellowship. Applicants for the Center for Ethics Graduate Fellowship should clearly demonstrate how their project deeply engages with topics in ethics. 500 words maximum.

Statement of Purpose

Discuss how your dissertation project aligns with the aim of the fellowship. Applicants for the Center for Public Policy Research Dissertation Fellowship should make a clear case for how their research addresses public policy impacts on complex social challenges. 500 words maximum.

Statement of Purpose

Discuss how your dissertation project aligns with the aim of the fellowships. For prompts, see the 'Eligibility' section in the description above. Students who apply for both fellowships must upload two statements of purpose: one for each fellowship. If you are submitting two statements of purpose, please combine and submit as one document, with each statement clearly labeled. 500 words maximum per statement.

Tulane University Graduate Transcript

Unofficial copies downloaded from Gibson Online are acceptable.

Dissertation Prospectus with Progress to Date

Writing Sample (Dissertation chapter or published article)

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The Murphy Institute's Center for Ethics Graduate Fellowship and Center for Public Policy Research Dissertation Fellowship