HFA Dissertation Completion Fellowship

HFA Dissertation Completion Fellowships, open to students in good standing who are enrolled in doctoral degree programs in HFA, will provide an $8,000 stipend over the summer of 2027. The fellowships will help to relieve recipients of non-research related tasks and duties, so they can focus entirely on writing and defending their dissertations. Recipients must have advanced to candidacy and completed a draft of at least one chapter of the dissertation by the time of application. In addition, they must anticipate defending their dissertations and completing their doctoral degrees during the 2027-28 academic year (i.e. Fall 2027, Spring 2028, or Summer 2028).

Up to three fellowships for Summer 2027 will be awarded.  
Deadline to apply: Monday, March 8, 2027, 11:59 p.m.
Nomination Form

Eligibility

UMass Amherst students enrolled in an HFA doctoral program who are in good academic standing, have advanced to candidacy, have completed a draft of at least one dissertation chapter, and anticipate defending and completing their degrees in Fall 2027, Spring 2028, or Summer 2028 may apply. Students planning to defend during Summer 2027 are not eligible.

Summer Activity and Funding

• Teaching and other work-related activity
  Because the fellowships are designed to help to relieve recipients of non-research related tasks and duties, so they can focus entirely on writing and defending their dissertations, teaching or other work duties cannot exceed more than five hours per week during the award (June 1, 2027 – August 31, 2027).
• Writing Retreat and Accountability
  1. Recipients of the HFA Fellowship must apply to and attend the in-person Dissertation Writing Retreat (early June 2027) offered by the Graduate School Office of Professional Development. If you are unable to secure a spot in the retreat, you will be required to participate in an alternative writing program.
  2. Fellows will participate in a bi-weekly writing group to write and check in on goals and progress.
• Funding
  Recipients will be limited to a total of $8,000 in fellowship support from all combined sources. That is, if a recipient is awarded additional fellowships, the HFA award will be reduced by the amount of additional fellowship funding, so the total amount of combined support is $8,000. 

Application Components 

The following documents are required at the time of application:

• Dissertation timeline and how you will use the fellowship to meet stay within the timeline
• Dissertation outline, including status of each chapter 
• Copy of a completed chapter
• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of recommendation from your dissertation advisor

Who to Contact

Lisa Green, Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Student Success lgreen [at] linguist [dot] umass [dot] edu