KDFP FAQs

  • When can I submit my proposal for consideration to the Kauffman Dissertation Fellowship Program?

    Proposals are being accepted now through 7:00 p.m. Central time on Wednesday, September 15, 2010.
  • Do applicants need to be affiliated with the business college of their respective university?

    No. The Kauffman Dissertation Fellowship Program encourages proposals from a variety of academic disciplines. The dissertation must, however, address questions of importance to entrepreneurship.
  • Are U.S. citizens pursuing doctoral degrees from universities outside of the U.S. eligible for this program?

    No. Only students pursuing doctoral degrees from accredited U.S. institutions of higher education are eligible.
  • Does the Kauffman Dissertation Fellowship Program give grants larger than $20,000?

    No. All fellowships are for $20,000.
  • Does the award include overhead costs for the applicant’s institution?

    No. The fellowship will go directly to the researcher, not to the affiliated university. As a result, overhead should not be requested in the proposal.
  • Can the Kauffman Foundation tell me if my proposal topic is appropriate for this program?

    No. The proposal topic should directly relate to entrepreneurship, but the Foundation cannot offer any further guidance. Researchers should discuss with their advisors whether it is appropriate for them to apply for this program.
  • May I submit more than one proposal at a time?

    No. Researchers are asked to submit only one proposal per review cycle.
  • If my proposal is not accepted in one funding cycle, may it be re-submitted in subsequent rounds?

    Yes. Proposals may be resubmitted in subsequent funding cycles.
  • May I submit more than one letter of recommendation?

    No. Applicants are encouraged to only submit one letter of recommendation with the recommendation form.
  • How will the research be published and disseminated?

    Recipients retain all rights to the research and may publish their findings wherever they wish. The Kauffman Foundation must be acknowledged, however, for providing support for the project. The Kauffman Foundation will only use the findings for its own publications and on its website unless the recipient consents otherwise.
  • Can more than one researcher apply per research project?

    No. Only one applicant is allowed per proposal.
  • Can more than one researcher apply per academic institution?

    Yes. There is no limit on how many researchers may apply from a single institution.
  • Must my dissertation committee approve my proposal prior to submission to the Kauffman Foundation?

    No. A letter of recommendation from a supervising professor is required with your proposal.
  • Will I receive comments from the reviewers?

    No. Unfortunately, the high volume of proposals we receive makes it impossible for us to share reviewer comments.
  • Can I receive a copy or copies of successful proposals from previous years?

    No. The proposals are confidential and cannot be disseminated; however, executive summaries and abstracts from previous fellowship recipients are posted at www.kauffman.org/kdfp.

  • My research is already being supported by another fellowship. Am I still eligible to apply even though my research is already being funded by another fellowship/grant/etc.?

    Yes. The Kauffman Dissertation Fellowship is a competitive program. Funds from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation can be used in conjunction with other sources of funding.
  • When is it expected applicants will finish their dissertations?

    We expect applicants to finish their dissertations during the 2011-2012 academic year. However, we will still consider your application if you intend to finish before or after the specified timeframe. Requests for extensions will be considered on an individual basis.
  • As a KDFP recipient, will I receive tax documents from the Kauffman Foundation?

    Recipients who are U.S. residents and/or have no withholding will not receive any tax paperwork because the Fellowship funds are non-taxable. Recipients who are non-U.S. residents and have had some funds withheld will receive tax documentation explaining that the Kauffman Foundation paid the appropriate taxes for them.