Supporting Graduate Diversity – Nominating REAL Fellows
The Graduate School aims to increase access, inclusion, and engagement for students from historically 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. 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 ($5,000 fellowship each summer), as well as mentoring, professional development, and community-building programs.
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to new students entering campus-based doctoral or MFA programs in the following colleges:
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College of Education
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College of Humanities and Fine Arts
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College of Nursing
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College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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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
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Nominations must come from the Graduate Program Director or Graduate Admissions Director. Students are not permitted to apply directly for these fellowships.
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The program admitting the student must make a commitment of five years of academic year assistantship support (three years for students in MFA programs)
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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.
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Nominations will be reviewed in a single cycle (starting early September), with a nomination deadline of February 1st, 2024 at 6pm.
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Shortly after confirming admission, we send out an email to all nominees to invite them to submit a personal statement to complete their application for the fellowship. Nominees have 2 weeks to submit these personal statements (due date February 15th, 2024).
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After that deadline for personal statements, the Fellowship Committee meets to consider the nominees, and OIE will notify departments/programs and nominees as quickly as possible after that.
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Award letters will be sent out the week of March 4th, 2024.
Additional Resources
The following resources may be useful for nominations:
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Information about URM applicants to your program may be requested by email: gradreports [at] grad [dot] umass [dot] edu (gradreports[at]grad[dot]umass[dot]edu)
Please contact the oie [at] grad [dot] umass [dot] edu (Office of Inclusion & Engagement) with any further questions.