Dissertation Fellowships

Information and Eligibility Criteria

The Graduate School sponsors a competitive fellowship program for doctoral students entering or currently in the dissertation stage of their program. The Dissertation Fellowship will provide:

• A $20,000 stipend
• Up to $9,900 in tuition waiver (up to $4,450 per semester based on number of enrolled credits; this is the equivalent cost of six XXX 799 dissertation credits at the resident tuition rate). Any fees or tuition charges not covered by the fellowship are the responsibility of the student.

To qualify, a student must:

• Be currently/continuously enrolled in a UNC doctoral program in CEBS, NHS or PVA that requires a dissertation
• Be a student in good standing
• Have successfully completed both written and oral comprehensive exams (with the results recorded by the Graduate School)
• Have a successful proposal on record in the Graduate School by the spring semester deadline prior to the start of the fellowship (students may apply for the fellowship in anticipation of meeting the proposal deadline)
• Have an outstanding academic record
• Have the enthusiastic support of faculty
• Submit a completed fellowship application and all related documents by the deadline
• Intend to focus on completing the dissertation during the term of the fellowship

Application Process:

• Students must complete the Dissertation Fellowship application, which includes:
  • An abstract or summary (no more than 500 words) of the dissertation proposal
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty — one letter must be from the Research Advisor — sent directly to Cindy Wesley, Ph.D., via email at cindy.wesley@bianlifan.com by the Feb. 23, 2024, application deadline
  • An impact statement (no more that 750 words) in which the student explains the significance of the dissertation research for the student’s discipline and beyond
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• All application materials must be received in the Graduate School no later than Feb. 23, 2024.
• Applications will be reviewed by the Awards Committee of the Graduate Council and a list of recommended recipients sent to the Dean of the Graduate School for final review.

Students are not eligible if:

• They are previous winners of the fellowship.
• They intend to hold any form of assistantship or another UNC scholarship while receiving the dissertation fellowship.
• They will be in full-time paid employment.
• If a fellowship-designee does not submit the dissertation proposal and all required documents by the spring semester deadline.

Please note: Students engaged in part-time or full-time practicum, internships or externships are eligible for the dissertation fellowship program. In the case of two equally qualified students, the one not enrolled in a full-time practicum, internship or externship may be given preference.