Information for Applicants
Eligibility
At the time of application, you must meet one of the following requirements: (1) be a native Texan, (2) have resided in Texas at least three years at some time, or (3) have published significant work with a Texas subject. Those who meet requirement 1 or 2 do not have to meet the Texas subject matter restriction.
Deadline
The next competition is for fellowships during 2009-2010. The deadline for entries is January 15, 2009. Mail entries must be postmarked on or before January 15, 2009.
Application fee
If you are applying for both the Jesse H. Jones Writing Fellowship and the Ralph A. Johnston Memorial Fellowship, check the appropriate box at the top of the Ralph A. Johnston Memorial Fellowship application form. Each application and its accompanying materials must be mailed in separate packets.
If applying for only one of the awards, an application fee of $20.00 should be included. If applying for both awards, an application fee of $30.00 will cover both applications and your check or money order should be included in the packet with the Ralph A. Johnston Memorial Fellowship application.
Please make checks or money orders payable to: The University of Texas at Austin. applications.
Application Form
Entries must be submitted on the forms:
Application for Ralph A. Johnston Memorial Fellowship
Application for Jesse H. Jones Writing Fellowship
(1) You need
Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 5.0 or newer) to complete either application
form online and then print the completed form from the web. (You
may download the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader at the following
web site: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/.)
or
(2) you may request a printed copy of either application from Dr. Michael Adams,
Director, Dobie Paisano Fellowship Project, The Graduate School, The University
of Texas at Austin, #1 University Station Mail Stop G0400, Austin, TX 78712,
phone (512) 471-8528, email: adameve@mail.utexas.edu.
Austin and Austin-area Applicants
The purpose of a Dobie-Paisano fellowship is to provide solitude and financial support for a committed writer. The fellowship requires full-time residency at the ranch. It cannot be used as a part-time work site or as a temporary retreat. Since you live so close to the ranch, it would be useful to the judges to read of your commitment to this requirement. You can address this commitment on the application form under: "Why do you feel that you would be a suitable Paisano fellow?"
Number of copies
Three copies of the application form and three copies of your writing sample submitted in support of the application. If you apply for both fellowships, you must submit them in separate packets.
Work Submitted
In general, entries should be limited to no more than 50 manuscript pages. Published work can be longer than 50 pages. The sample of writing submitted should reflect your best work and be indicative of the type of writing you would pursue at Paisano.
Criteria
Among criteria on which judges make the awards: quality of work, character of the proposed project, and suitability of the applicant to life at Paisano.
The fellowship is designed as an opportunity for writers who can demonstrate exceptional writing ability and a clear idea of a project to be pursued within the time frame.
Name of Fellowships
The awards are known as the Jesse H. Jones Writing Fellowship and the Ralph A. Johnston Memorial Fellowship.
Living Allowance
The Ralph A. Johnston Memorial Fellowship is a 4 month residency with a stipend of $5,000 per month. The Jesse H. Jones Writing Fellowship is a 5 1/2 month residency with a stipend of $3,000 per month. Unfortunately, for 2009-2010, because of needed repairs and renovation to the ranch house, the time period each fellow will have at the ranch will be limited, perhaps severely. And we won't have an estimate of how much time that will be until the fall of 2008. We will update the Web site as we know. Each fellow will, however, receive the full amount of the fellowship. We sincerely apologize for this change, but, alas, it could not be helped.
Residence
The house is simply but adequately furnished. Fellows need provide no more than personal linens and such belongings as they choose. No financial assistance is provided for moving in or out of the ranch. The University of Texas at Austin provides utilities and internet access (except for long-distance telephone) and maintenance.
Judges
Judges for the competition are selected each year by The University of Texas at Austin and the Texas Institute of Letters. Names of the judges may be obtained from the Director at the conclusion of the competition. There will be different judging panels for each fellowship.
Recommendations
Personal recommendations are not requested and are not included in applicant files.
Announcement of Winners
Early May. Letters will be sent to all applicants. You will not, however, receive any critique of your entry.
Submit Applications
Dobie Paisano Project
The Graduate School
The University of Texas at Austin
#1 University Avenue, Mail Stop G0400
Austin, Texas 78712
Entries will not be returned unless you check "Return" on the Application. If you want your materials returned, please enclose a self-addressed STAMPED envelope (large enough to accommodate your materials with adequate postage affixed).
If you have questions, please call or write: Dr. Michael Adams, Director, Dobie Paisano Project, The Graduate School, The University of Texas at Austin, #1 University Avenue Mail Stop G0400, Austin, Texas 78712. Phone 512-471-8528; Fax 512-471-7620; adameve@mail.utexas.edu.