Fellowships and Awards

Fellowships and awards play an important role in supporting your graduate education. In addition to providing financial assistance, they recognize your achievements, advance your research, and create opportunities for professional and career development. Explore the opportunities available to graduate students below!

Dissertation Year Fellowship (DYF)

The Graduate School's annual competition for Dissertation Year Fellowships provide a maximum tenure of one academic year and are available on a competitive basis to doctoral students who meet the criteria as outlined in the terms and awarding criteria. These awards include a stipend and a waiver of the doctoral research fee and mandatory fees for the period of the award. For a detailed overview of the process see our Dissertation Year Fellowship Presentation.

DYF 2027-2028 Applications: OPEN

Submission Deadlines:
January 4, 2027: The application form, summary statement, proposal, schedule and CV are due by 5pm EST.
January 14, 2027: Two letters of recommendation are due by 5pm EST.

Art Adolfson Summer Research Fellowship (SRF)

The Graduate School's annual competition for the Art Adolfson Summer Research Fellowships (SRF) support research or study during the summer for individuals who have held a TA position during the current academic year and who have performed exceptionally well as a TA and as a student. This fellowship is possible due to a generous gift from the estate of Art Adolfson through the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. For a detailed overview of the process see our Summer TA Fellowship Presentation.

SRF 2027 Applications: OPEN

Submission Deadlines:
January 15, 2027: Application form, abstract, proposal, self-assessment, and CV are due by 5pm EST.
January 25, 2027: Two letters of recommendation are due by 5pm EST.

Graduate Awards

The Graduate School holds competitions for annual awards that recognize distinguished faculty mentors, graduate student teaching and graduate student creative contributions to research and scholarship within their fields of study. These awards are described below.

Graduate Awards 2026 - 2027 Applications: Opening on October 15, 2026

Submission Deadlines:
December 1, 2026: Research/Scholarship/Creativity Award nominations are due by 5pm EST.
December 1, 2026: Graduate Teaching Award nominations are due by 5pm EST.
December 1, 2026: Graduate Student Public Engagement and Outreach Award nominations are due by 5pm EST.
January 30, 2027: Graduate Faculty Mentor Award nominations are due by 5pm EST.

expand all

The GRSC award recognizes graduate student research/scholarship and other creative works that represents the best overall contribution to the discipline. Forms are only accepted during application period. When the application period opens, the form will be updated to the current academic semester/year.

GRSC AWARD NOMINATION FORM

GRSC Award Recipients

Graduate Students contribute significantly to the teaching mission of the University. These awards recognize graduate students who have demonstrated excellence in teaching. Forms are only accepted during application period.

Graduate Teaching Award Nomination Form

Graduate Teaching Award Recipients

This Graduate Student Public Engagement and Outreach Award is designed to recognize graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to public engagement, outreach, and/or service. Forms are only accepted during application period.

Graduate Student Public Engagement and Outreach Award Nomination Form

The Graduate Faculty Mentor award honors a faculty member whose commitment to excellence in graduate student training has contributed significantly to graduate students’ professional development. Forms are only accepted during application period.

Graduate Faculty Mentor Award Nomination Form

Graduate Faculty Mentor Award Recipients