Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What will your geographic focus be next year?
  2. How can I get an application?
  3. Why can’t I send a hardcopy application?
  4. I am a guidance counselor, am I eligible?
  5. I am a New Jersey principal, am I eligible?
  6. Are there other organizations who might provide grants or fellowships to teachers?
  7. If I have already received a Dodge Teacher Fellowship, am I eligible to apply again?
  8. I was awarded a Dodge Visual Arts Fellowship, am I eligible to apply for a Dodge Teacher Fellowship?
  9. My project idea or travel plans might occur during the school year, is this allowed?
  10. Does my project idea have to have a traveling element to it?
  11. Are there any restrictions on where I can travel?
  12. I have never written a proposal for a grant or fellowship, help!
  13. What is the review process?
  14. What sort of line items should I include in the budget section of the application?
  15. What budget items will you not fund?
  16. I have submitted my application but have not received an email confirming that you have received it. What should I do?
  17. If I receive a Fellowship what is expected of me?
  18. What are the tax implications of receiving a Fellowship?

 

What will your geographic focus be next year?

We will announce the area of focus in October. This information will be posted on our website.

How can I get an application?

Applications and guidelines are posted on our website in October.

Why can’t I send a hardcopy application?

The Dodge Foundation strives to incorporate green office practices in all of its areas of grantmaking. In the Teacher Fellowship initiative we are striving to reduce the use of paper in the application process and administration of the program.

I am a guidance counselor, am I eligible?

You would only be eligible if you were part of a team that included full-time, classroom teachers.

I am a New Jersey principal, am I eligible?

You would only be eligible for a Dodge Foundation Teacher Fellowship if you were part of a team that included full-time, classroom teachers. You may be interested in learning about funding opportunities tailored to principals. The Foundation for Educational Administration administers the Dodge Foundation/FEA Principal Fellowship program. For more information visit www.njpsa.org or call 609-860-1200.

Are there other organizations who might provide grants or fellowships to teachers?

You may wish to learn more about programs offered by Fund for Teachers. For more information visit them at www.fundforteachers.org. In addition we recommend that you do a general online search for grants for teachers.

If I have already received a Dodge Teacher Fellowship, am I eligible to apply again?

  • If our area of focus this year is the same as your year’s cohort you are not eligible to receive a second fellowship. For example: You were a Camden County Fellow in 2006. In 2007 Camden County is still the area of focus. You would not be eligible to apply in 2007.
  • If you were awarded a Dodge Teacher Fellowship last year but have moved and now teach in a different school district and are once again in the current years’ area of focus you may send in a new proposal for consideration. For example: You were a Charter School teacher in 2005. In 2005 the Fellowship program was focused on Charter School teachers. In 2006 you changed positions and began teaching at a public school in Camden City. The 2006 Fellowship program's area of focus is Camden County. You are eligible to apply for consideration in 2006.
  • If you were awarded a Dodge Teacher Fellowship more than two years ago and once again fall within the area of focus you may submit a proposal for consideration.
  •  If you have questions about your eligibility please feel free to call us at 973-540-8442 and ask for the Dodge Teacher Fellowship Coordinator.

I was awarded a Dodge Visual Arts Fellowship, am I eligible to apply for a Dodge Teacher Fellowship?

Yes, you may send a proposal for consideration.

My project idea or travel plans might occur during the school year, is this allowed?

Your project and travel can occur at any point in the year. We encourage projects to be completed prior to the submission deadline for your final narrative and financial report as indicated in the application. If you will be away from your classroom for all or part of your fellowship you must submit a letter from your principal or superintendent indicating that they are aware you will be away and that arrangements will be made. Please send or have your administrator send the letter as a PDF to tfellows@grdodge.org.

Does my project idea have to have a traveling element to it?

Your project idea does not have to include travel.

Are there any restrictions on where I can travel?

We want you to remain safe when you are traveling overseas. Please consult the State Department’s website on travel advisories http://travel.state.gov/travel/ to determine whether the country you plan to visit is classified as unsafe. The State Department’s website also has travel tips which can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html.

I have never written a proposal for a grant or fellowship, help!

Most of our fellowship applicants are first-time proposal writers. A complete proposal from an individual requesting grant or fellowship funding is very different than a proposal that a non-profit organization would submit to us. Please be sure carefully read the guidelines and complete the Teacher Fellowship application.

Below are some hints:

  • Thoroughly read the guidelines and entire application.
  • Determine whether you are eligible to apply and if your project idea falls within our guidelines outlined on our website and fellowship application. If you have questions about your eligibility please feel free to call us at 973-540-8442 and ask for the Dodge Teacher Fellowship Coordinator.
  • The questions and the expected length of responses are clearly laid out on the application. You must complete Part 1 through Part 4 in order to be considered.
  • Do not feel intimidated by the questions. We are looking for sincere, honest, and insightful answers so that we can learn more about you, your proposed project, and your goals. We are not looking for answers that are formulaic, cookie cutter, or academic.
  • Make sure you check your spelling! You might find it helpful to have a second set of eyes read your application.
  • For frequently asked questions about providing an estimated budget click here.

What is the review process?

Award determinations will be made by an independent panel consisting of four educators and one Dodge Foundation representative. The panel uses a rubric as a guide when reading the applications.

What sort of line items should I include in the budget section of the application?

Ask yourself, “What financial support would I need to make my proposal idea possible to complete?” Be sure that the amount you request falls within the application guidelines. An estimate based on research is important. Many of our fellows who travel start figuring out how much a project might cost by going online and finding examples of how much airfare or lodging costs. Although not comprehensive, below are examples of what might be included in your budget.

  • Lodging costs
  • Meals
  • Transportation costs such as airfare, train, Eurail pass, taxi, car rental, gas and/or bus costs
  • Gratuities
  • Group tour costs
  • Workshop cost
  • Tour books and language books
  • Journaling materials
  • Travel documents (e.g. passport and visa fees)
  • Museum, attraction, theatre and/or admission fees
  • Miscellaneous and/or incidental expenses

What budget items will you not fund?

  • Classroom activities or classroom field trips
  • Equipment purchase or rental (such as a video camera, computer, etc.)
  • Funds used for college or graduate level classes leading to dissertation work or degree credit
  • Ambassador/mentor gifts

I have submitted my application but have not received an email confirming that you have received it. What should I do?

We respond to every email correspondence that is submitted. If you have not heard from us within three business days assume that your email did not transmit and call 973-540-8442 and ask for the Dodge Teacher Fellowship Coordinator.

If I receive a Fellowship what is expected of me?

If you accept the award, you are required to submit a narrative and financial report detailing your experience. Further details about reporting procedures are included in the application. 

  • Additionally we have two gatherings where you are offered the opportunity to meet other fellows and share with us your experience. We hope that you will be able to join us in order to get the most out of your fellowship experience.
  • Please keep your contact information up to date. During and after the cohort year, we often offer further opportunities to our fellows; therefore, if you move, change your phone number or email, please let us know so that we can keep in touch with you. To update you information please call 973-540-8442 and ask for the Dodge Teacher Fellowship Coordinator.

What are the tax implications of receiving a Fellowship?

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a Notice recommending that all scholarship and fellowship recipients be advised of the tax treatment of their scholarship and fellowship awards. Unless a scholarship or fellowship award constitutes payment for teaching, research or other services rendered, the grantor of a scholarship or fellowship is not required to file an information return with the Internal Revenue Service. 

Therefore, since your fellowship award under the Dodge Foundation's Fellowship Programs does not constitute compensation for services rendered, you will not receive either Form 1099-MISC or Form W-2 from the Dodge Foundation with respect to your fellowship grant. Nevertheless, the Notice provides that the recipient of the scholarship or fellowship grant is responsible for determining whether the scholarship or fellowship, in whole or in part, is includable in gross income for federal tax purposes.

If you are awarded a fellowship we will include a memo with your award letter to guide you through determining whether there are tax implications to your award.