Biostatistics and Epidemiology Financial Support and Scholarships

The Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology offers a variety of scholarships and funding in support of its students.

For Incoming Students

Biostatistics and Epidemiology Diversity Scholarship for PhD and Masters Students

The Biostatistics and Epidemiology Diversity Scholarship aims to support graduate students from backgrounds that have been traditionally underrepresented in our disciplines. This includes, but is not limited to, students from underrepresented race/ethnicity groups, students with disabilities, students who identify as LGBTQ+, first generation students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The scholarship provides $7,500 of tuition support each semester for four semesters of study.

In addition to these scholarships, the school provides several dissertation fellowships to incoming doctoral students and summer fellowships to support our efforts to attract and retain a diverse pool of doctoral students.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants to the MS or PhD programs in Biostatistics and Epidemiology
• Individuals from racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in health-related sciences
• Individuals from sexual orientation and gender identity groups that are underrepresented in health-related sciences
• Individuals with disabilities
• Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Individuals who have demonstrated experience promoting diversity and inclusion in public health research or practice

Application and Evaluation Process

• Applicants who will contribute to the diversity of the department and the fields of biostatistics and epidemiology are encouraged to apply by writing a brief supplemental essay (suggested length 200-400 words) at the time of their SOPHAS application.
• In the essay, we encourage applicants to identify ways they would contribute to the diversity of perspectives represented in the department. Information shared in this essay is not used for admissions decisions.

For more information on underrepresented groups and definitions of disadvantaged backgrounds, please see the NIH website on Populations Underrepresented in the Extramural Scientific Workforce.

For Current Students

BioEpi Summer Fellowship for International PhD Students

The Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology is offering summer fellowships of $5,000 to support international PhD students in excellent standing to make progress on their doctoral dissertations or to conduct faculty-mentored research projects that are not otherwise supported by research grants.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Students must be making satisfactory academic progress
• Not concurrently awarded the SPHHS Dean’s PhD Dissertation Completion Award (aka SPHHS Summer PhD Fellowship).
• No full-time Internship during the summer
• Reapplying in multiple years is encouraged.

Nomination Process

• Students do not apply for these fellowships directly. They must be nominated by their faculty mentors. The nomination deadline is April 30, 2025. Fellowships will begin early summer contingent on timely completion of all necessary department-level administrative steps.
• Nominations to include: (1) a copy of the student’s CV, (2) letter of nomination and commitment from the faculty mentor, and (3) the completed nomination form.
• Nominations should be sent electronically to Tonya Menard.
• A review committee will consider all nominations, and decisions are anticipated in two to three weeks of the nomination deadline. The student will be notified directly, along with their faculty mentor and the graduate program director.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Evaluation criteria will include receipt of this award in the past, amount of summer funding from other university sources, and number of years to expected graduation.

BioEpi Summer Dissertation Completion Fellowship for PhD Students

The Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology is offering summer fellowships of $5,000 to support PhD students in excellent standing to make progress on their doctoral dissertations or to conduct faculty-mentored research projects that are not otherwise supported by research grants. Special consideration will be given to students who are nearing completion of their doctoral dissertation.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Students must be making satisfactory academic progress
• Successfully completed PhD qualifying exam
• Not concurrently awarded the SPHHS Dean’s PhD Dissertation Completion Award (aka SPHHS Summer PhD Fellowship).
• Reapplying in multiple years is encouraged.
• Having previously received the Dean’s PhD Dissertation Completion Award does not disqualify a student.

Nomination Process

• Students do not apply for these fellowships directly. They must be nominated by their faculty mentors. The nomination deadline is April 30, 2025. Fellowships will begin early summer contingent on timely completion of all necessary department-level administrative steps.
• Nominations to include: (1) a copy of the student’s CV, (2) letter of nomination and commitment from the faculty mentor, and (3) the completed nomination form.
• Nominations should be sent electronically to Tonya Menard.
• A review committee will consider all nominations, and decisions are anticipated in two to three weeks of the nomination deadline. The student will be notified directly, along with their faculty mentor and the graduate program director.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Evaluation criteria will include receipt of this award in the past, amount of summer funding from other university sources, and number of years to expected graduation.

BioEpi Professional Development Funds for PhD Students

The Biostatistics and Epidemiology Professional Development Fund supports BioEpi PhD students seeking to obtain the competencies and skills necessary to be successful in their chosen professions with $1000 per student.

Before applying, students should review the list of approved professional development expenditures developed by their program and discuss their professional development plans with faculty advisors. Please note that these funds are not intended to be used for activities supported by existing departmental resources, to fund dissertation research travel, or to purchase equipment (e.g., computers).

Eligibility Criteria:

• Students must be making satisfactory academic progress
• Successfully completed PhD qualifying exam
• Have not previously received BioEpi Professional Development Funds.

Eligible Professional Development Activities:

The Fund is designed to support access to workshops, conferences, courses, and other activities and resources that help students develop new competencies and skills, for example:

• Writing and communicating ideas
• Leadership and management
• Teaching and mentoring
• Career exploration and preparation
• Data analysis and digital skills development

Activities or expenditures that are inconsistent with these guidelines will be ineligible for funding. Among the ineligible expenses are:

• Equipment/computers
• Books
• Software
• Research expenditures
• Publication costs
• Editing services
• Job interview expenses

Nomination and Evaluation Process:

• Students do not apply for these fellowships directly. They must be nominated by their faculty mentors.
• Nominations to include: (1) a copy of the student’s CV, (2) letter of nomination and commitment from the faculty mentor, and (3) the completed nomination form.
• Email your nomination to Tonya Menard.
• Nominations are reviewed on a rolling basis.

National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) 

The Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology will support enrollment into WriteNow Access, NCFDD’s 12-week writing program exclusively for graduate students and postdocs.

This program provides:

• Weekly Support: Each week, you'll receive an email with tailored tips and homework that will help you to reimagine your writing process so that you are writing smarter, not harder. You can also engage in and start discussions to receive faculty support.
• Daily support: Every weekday, you will log into WriteNow, our writing and productivity tracking platform, where you will track your writing/productivity time (shoot for at least 30 minutes) and interact with a supportive community.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Students must be making satisfactory academic progress
• Successfully completed PhD qualifying exam.

Nomination and Evaluation Process

• Students do not apply for these fellowships directly. They must be nominated by their faculty mentors. The nomination deadline is April 30, 2025. 
• Nominations to include: (1) a copy of the student’s CV, (2) letter of nomination and commitment from the faculty mentor, and (3) the completed nomination form.
• Email your nomination to Tonya Menard.
• Nominations are reviewed on a rolling basis.

David Hosmer Awards

The purpose of the David Hosmer Awards is to support meritorious first year graduate students enrolled in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology.

Nomination and Evaluation Process

• Students do not apply for these awards directly, they are nominated by the program faculty in the Spring prior to the SPHHS Awards Ceremony.

BioEpi Departmental Awards

The purpose of the BioEpi Departmental Awards is to support meritorious second year graduate students enrolled in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Nomination and Evaluation Process

• Students do not apply for these awards directly, they are nominated by the program faculty in the Spring prior to the SPHHS Awards Ceremony.

Diane J. Mundt Memorial Scholarship 

The Diane J. Mundt Memorial Scholarship Fund supports a PhD student in Epidemiology in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences with professional interests in science and policy, specifically how epidemiology informs decision-making. Preference will be given to female, non-traditional students (e.g., those returning from the workforce to pursue advanced studies), and/or those demonstrating significant financial need as demonstrated by the Financial Aid Office. Students apply via AcademicWorks early in the Spring semester prior to the SPHHS Awards Ceremony.

Yablonski Fellowship Fund

The Yablonski Fellowship provides support for masters-level students enrolled in any of the Departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Environmental Health Sciences, or Health Promotion and Policy within the School of Public Health and Health Sciences. Eligible recipients must be in good academic standing; demonstrate strong leadership skills through extracurricular, athletic, community, or other volunteer commitments; and be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Education. Preference will be given to the child of a firefighter, police officer or teacher. The fellowship may be awarded in consecutive years to the same student if they continue to meet the criteria. Applicants must write a short essay of one-thousand words explaining their commitment to community service, volunteerism, and leadership.

Students apply via AcademicWorks early in the Spring semester prior to the SPHHS Awards Ceremony.

Epidemiology Seed Grant

The Epidemiology concentration offers a rapid funding mechanism that allows Epidemiology graduate students to benefit from a small grant to conduct a pilot or feasibility study within their research topics. This mechanism encourages students to present innovative ideas that may complement their work, and open new avenues in their research topics.

Some examples of types of allowable expenses to be specifically to be used for pilot/feasibility study include: 

• Biological sample analysis
• expenses to cover recruitment costs
• access to secondary datasets
• and supplies/software

Salary and conference travel is not allowable.

Graduate students may apply for funding at any time.

Requests of up to $1,500 will be considered.

Students may be requested to present their ideas in a rapid format (5 slides) to the department’s faculty with a final funding decision in 1 week.

Priority will be given to doctoral students who are applying to use these funds to complete their dissertation research, and then to master’s students applying to use these funds to complete their theses.

To apply, simply submit a brief proposal (1 page) to Tonya Menard stating the aim, the required services for which the funds are needed, cost estimate, and their advisor’s name.