The Graduate School Announces New Dissertation Completion Fellowship

As part of its multi-year initiative to assist graduate students in getting back on track after COVID-19 delays, the Graduate School is pleased to announce a new Dissertation Completion Fellowship for Spring 2022.

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The Dissertation Completion Fellowship will provide a $12,000 stipend for Spring 2022; the Graduate School anticipates awarding between 10-15 fellowships. Current UMass doctoral candidates in campus-based degree programs are eligible to apply. Applicants must have achieved candidacy status by the time of application and anticipate defending their dissertation between March-July, 2022. The call for applications will be posted to the Graduate School’s Internal Funding page by Nov. 9; applications will be due Dec. 1, with award notifications sent by Dec. 15.

As Dean Urla notes, “We understand that the closing down of campus, travel restrictions, and countless other obstacles due to the pandemic caused many students to be delayed in their degree program.”  

Last year, the Graduate School provided almost $200,000 in “Return to Research” grants. This spring, with help from the Provost, we are offering semester-long fellowships to give students the time and focus it takes to bring their dissertation to completion.  Free from other work obligations, we hope this assistance will allow students make their 2022 graduation target.