Selma Jeanne Cohen Fund Lecture Award

Deadline: July 15, 2023

Are you a pioneering dance researcher or practitioner with a focus on international exchange and impact? Share your talent and research with the Fulbright community at our 46th Annual Conference.  Applications for the 2023 Selma Jeanne Cohen Fund Lecture will be accepted through July 15, and the awardee will be notified by August 1.

The Selma Jeanne Cohen Fund for International Scholarship on Dance provides a dance researcher or practitioner the opportunity to present a major paper or interdisciplinary presentation, based on research or a body of accomplished work, at the Fulbright Association’s annual conference. The 2023 Cohen Lecturer will be selected based on guidelines developed by the late Dr. Selma Jeanne Cohen, dance historian and founding editor of the International Encyclopedia of Dance, whose generous endowment gift supports this lecture program. We encourage interdisciplinary dance scholars to apply.

MAY 31 - JULY 15

Call for Applications Open

JULY 17 - JULY 28

Applications Review

AUGUST 1

Awardee Notified

About the Selma Jean Cohen Fund Scholarship

  • The competition is open to all dance researchers or practitioners in any field of dance.
  • Applicants may be residents of any country.
  • Lectures can be based on previously unpublished or published research, or on a body of accomplished work, though ideally this research or work would not have been presented at other conferences.
  • Selection will be based on the quality of your narrative, originality, the impact of your research/work on other disciplines and international perspectives, interaction with audience during demonstration, appeal to a wider audience, and references.
  • The Selma Jeanne Cohen Fund provides an honorarium to the selected dance scholar.
  • The awardee must be able to attend the Fulbright Association’s annual conference (October 19-22, 2023) and give his or her presentation on the date requested by the Association.

Application Guidelines

For consideration, all applications must include:

  1. A cover letter, not to exceed one page in length, that briefly details your proposal.
  2. A resume or C.V.
  3. A narrative of no longer than ten double-spaced pages (3,750 word maximum) describing the research, scholarly work, or multi-dimensional presentation to be presented and its significance in advancing dance scholarship. The research or project must show a clear commitment to furthering international understanding through dance and must have already been completed by the time of application.
    • The narrative should include an assessment of the impact of your own Fulbright or other international exchange experience on your work in the field of dance, as well as how your dance research relates to international perspectives and the impact it has on other fields, cultures, and the world.
  4. A presentation outline for a conference presentation of no longer than one hour’s length. The presentation plan must include a lecture of no longer than 20 minutes, a dance demonstration of 15- 20 minutes, and a question and answer session of 15-20 minutes. Please note that presentations that allow the audience to embody the concepts presented through interactive participation is highly valued, and demonstrations that involve audience engagement will be given higher consideration.
  5. Two letters of reference from individuals well-acquainted with your work as a dance scholar/practitioner and presenter.

Submission Instructions

All applications for the 2023 Cohen Lecture must be received electronically by 11:59pm MDT on July 15, 2023.  Only complete applications will be considered. The awardee will be notified by August 1.