What is the Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship?
The Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF) gives the University’s most accomplished Ph.D. candidates an opportunity to devote full-time effort to an outstanding research project by providing time to finalize and write their dissertation during the fellowship year.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION WINDOW?
The submission deadline has passed and nominations are currently under review. Nominees will be notified by the end of April 2026 of award decisions.
How much is the award?
$25,000 stipend, academic year tuition at the general graduate rate for up to 14 credits per semester, subsidized health insurance through the Graduate Assistant Health Plan for up to one calendar year, and a $1,000 conference grant.
Who Is Eligible?
Programs may nominate Ph.D. candidates if the nominee:
- will have passed the written and oral preliminary examinations by February 27, 2026.
- will have completed all program coursework by the end of the spring semester 2026 (NOTE: nominee may be registered for program coursework in spring 2026, but may not have any incompletes in program coursework at the time of nomination).
- is expected to graduate in calendar year 2027.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Program Nomination required. Please reach out to your Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Program Coordinator.
Colleges have a set number of nomination slots. Check with your program to find out more information about your college’s internal selection process.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS?
Completed by Nominee (Ph.D. candidate) and submitted directly to the nominating program
- Nominee’s Education Statement
- Nominee’s Summary of Accomplishments
- Nominee’s Statement of Research, see details below
Completed by Nominating Program
- DGS Questionnaire
At the request of a Ph.D. candidate, two (2) letters of recommendation are required.
- One letter from the nominee’s Advisor and/or Co-Advisor, see details below
- One letter from a non-advisor, see details below
All application materials are forwarded to the student’s graduate program for submission to the electronic nomination form. The graduate program will upload a single PDF of the application materials in the following order:
- Nominee’s Education Statement
- Nominee’s Summary of Accomplishments
- Nominee’s Statement of Research
- DGS Questionnaire
- Two Letters of Recommendation
Required PDF title format: Nominee Last Name, First Name – Program
Further Information
For more information about internal review and nomination procedures, please contact your Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or designated program support staff. If you have additional questions, contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards.