Graduate Student Support Programs

The College of Science seeks highly talented students for two competitive fellowship programs. These are prestigious awards that provide stipends and cover tuition and fees for two years for master's students and three years for doctoral students. Students receiving the awards are expected to maintain a high level of performance in their coursework and in the research project done under faculty guidance. The programs require the awardee to defend a thesis in the case of an M.S.,  or a dissertation, in the case of a Ph.D..

Award Opportunities for Master Programs

Presidential Research Fellowship award (PRF)

• One year of Teaching Assistantship support and one year of Research Assistantship support, with a stipend of up to $15000 per year
• Tuition and fees for the duration of the award

COS Dean’s Graduate Assistantship award (DGA)

• One year of Teaching Assistantship support and one year of Research Assistantship support with a stipend of up to $15000 per year
• Tuition and fees for Fall and Spring semesters and up to one summer during the time of the award

Award Opportunities for Doctoral Programs

Presidential Research Fellowship award (PRF)

• Two years of Teaching Assistantship support and one year of Research Assistantship support with a stipend of $28,800 per year
• Tuition and fees for the duration of the award

Among other requirements, the awardees are required to stay in the thesis option of the MS programs, complete the degree in two years, perform research, and publish or present at conferences.

How to Apply

Qualifying students will be nominated by the Graduate Coordinators of their programs to the Dean’s office. These programs are designed to support outstanding students. To qualify, students have first to be accepted into one of the COS graduate programs and have shown outstanding achievements in their application. This can be documented through (for example) prior research experience leading to scholarly results (publications, awards, presentations) or outstanding prior academic performance.