Supporting Graduate Diversity – Nominating REAL Fellows

The nomination cycle will open in September, and the deadline to submit a nomination is February 4th, 2025, at 6 p.m. 

The Graduate School aims to increase access, inclusion, and engagement for students from underrepresented backgrounds in the academy. We would like to partner with you to recruit and ensure the success of all students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. Our main goal is to partner with you to meet your diversity goals. We broadly define diversity as individuals that are underrepresented within your discipline. In addition, the Graduate School has a number of fellowships for which Graduate Program Directors and Admission Chairs can nominate outstanding students. Below is information on how to nominate your student for the REAL fellowship. 

The Research Enhancement and Leadership (REAL) Fellowship aims to enhance the recruitment, retention, and success of outstanding graduate students from historically underrepresented groups. The fellowships are awarded to top graduate students seeking admission to UMass Amherst doctoral programs and include 2–4 years of summer support ($6,000 fellowship each summer), as well as mentoring, professional development, and community-building programs. 

Eligibility 

Eligibility is limited to new students entering campus-based PhD or MFA programs in the following colleges: 

• College of Education 
• College of Humanities and Fine Arts 
• College of Nursing 
• College of Social and Behavioral Sciences 
• Isenberg School of Management 

Nominees should have a demonstrated record of academic excellence and potential for future success. This may be discerned from an applicant’s grades, research experience, work experience, publications, scholarships and awards, participation in programs such as the McNair Scholars Program, letters of recommendation, and other appropriate factors, depending on the nominee’s discipline and background. We encourage admissions committees to look at a range of indicators when evaluating academic success and potential. 

Applicants’ personal experiences and backgrounds may be discerned from transcripts, personal statements and resumes, letters of recommendation, and other relevant materials. We encourage committees to identify students who attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Tribal Colleges and Universities; McNair Scholars Program; and Hispanic Serving Institutions. 

Nomination Process 

• Nominations must come from the Graduate Program Director or Graduate Admissions Director. Students are not permitted to apply directly for these fellowships. 
• The program admitting the student must make a commitment of five years of academic year assistantship support (three years for students in MFA programs) 
• The program must commit to assigning an advisor who will mentor the student’s research during the summers when fellowship support will be provided. Assigned mentors are strongly encouraged to participate in the Faculty Mentor Training Program. 
• Nomination occurs in Slate. The nomination questions can be accessed here, and instructions on completing the nomination process in Slate for advisor can be accessed here and for Graduate Program Director or Admission Chair can be accessed here. 
• The nomination cycle will open in September, and the deadline to submit a nomination is February 4th, 2025, at 6 p.m. 
• The Fellowship Committee meets to consider the nominees, and OIE will notify departments/programs and nominees as quickly as possible after that. 
• Award letters will be sent out the week of February 24th, 2025. 

Additional Resources 

The following resources may be useful for nominations: 

• NSF Survey of Earned Doctorates 
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
• Hispanic Serving Institutions 
• Tribal Colleges and Universities 
• McNair Scholars Program

Please contact the oie [at] grad [dot] umass [dot] edu (Office of Inclusion & Engagement) with any further questions. 

If you are a Graduate Program Director or Admission Chair and Interested in nominating an accepted student for a REAL Fellowship — this can be done in Slate.