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Graduate School

Fellowships and Awards

The Graduate School offers several merit-based financial awards and fellowships for current and incoming students.

Fellowships for New Students

Newly admitted students who will begin their graduate program in the upcoming fall semester are eligible for supplemental funding through these awards.

Open to prospective and current doctoral and MFA students, this program prepares underrepresented ethnically diverse students to become professors. 

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Presidential Fellows are part of an engaged community of scholars pursuing doctoral and MFA degrees across a wide range of academic disciplines. 

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These one-time (non-renewable) awards are given to graduate students in memory of individuals who influenced particular fields of study and the University of South Carolina during their lifetimes.

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Fellowships for Continuing Students

Current students are eligible for additional funding through these fellowships.

Open to prospective and current doctoral and MFA students, this program prepares underrepresented ethnically diverse students to become professors. 

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These one-time (non-renewable) awards are given to graduate students in memory of individuals who influenced particular fields of study and the University of South Carolina during their lifetimes.

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The Graduate School - Graduate Student Awards
AY 23-24

Current or graduated students are eligible for these annual $1000 merit awards.

The Dean’s Award for Doctoral Achievement is awarded to one doctoral student who demonstrates overall excellence in research, teaching, and service.

The Award

One award of $1000 is given annually to one doctoral student who demonstrates overall excellence in research, teaching, and service. The service contributions can extend beyond campus. 

Eligibility

Nominees must be enrolled in Spring 2024 and can be from any academic program. The committee will consider relevant activities conducted from May 2023 through the time of the application’s submission. 

Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to GRADCOMM@mailbox.sc.edu. Only one nomination per program is allowed. The package must include:

  • One-page support letter from Graduate Director, advisor, or mentor
  • One-page student statement
  • Student CV or resume (2 pages maximum)

The committee will consider the following:

  • Student's impact and accomplishments within research, teaching, and service
  • The ability for the student to describe their significant accomplishments (one page)
  • One-page support letter from the Graduate Director, advisor, or mentor
  • CV or resume from the student (not to exceed two pages) 
Deadline

Nominations are due by March 15, 2024

The Dean’s Award for Master’s Achievement is awarded to one master’s student who demonstrates overall excellence in research, teaching, and service.

The Award

One award of $1000 is given annually to one graduate student in any master's program who demonstrates overall excellence in research, teaching, and service. The service contributions can extend beyond campus. 

Eligibility

Nominees must be enrolled in Spring 2024 and can be from any academic program. The committee will consider relevant activities conducted from May 2023 through the time of the application’s submission. 

Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to GRADCOMM@mailbox.sc.edu. Only one nomination per program is allowed. The package must include:

  • One-page support letter from Graduate Director, advisor, or mentor
  • One-page student statement
  • Student CV or resume (not to exceed two pages)

The committee will consider the following:

  • Student's impact and accomplishments within research, teaching, and service
  • The ability for the student to describe their significant accomplishments (one page)
  • One-page support letter from the Graduate Director, advisor, or mentor
  • CV or resume from the student (not to exceed two pages) 
Deadline

Nominations are due by March 15, 2024

The Outstanding Dissertation Award is presented to individuals who have completed dissertations representing original work that makes a significant contribution to the discipline. Individuals awarded are nominated for the national CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award. Thus, our award categories parallel the CGS/ProQuest categories. In 2024, the categories are (1) Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering and (2) Social Sciences.

The Award

$1,000 is given to up to two graduate students with exceptional dissertations.

Nomination for the CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award

Winners of the USC competition will be nominated for the CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award

Eligibility

Nominees should have:

  • Completed dissertations that make a significant contribution to their discipline.
  • Been awarded a doctoral degree or completed doctoral degree requirements between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023
Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to GRADCOMM@mailbox.sc.edu. Only one nomination per program is allowed. The package must include:

  1. Abstract of the Nominee's Dissertation
    Not to exceed five double-spaced pages. All pages should be numbered, and each should bear the name of the nominee. (Appendices containing nontextual material, such as charts or tables, may be included as additional pages.)
  2. Three Letters of Recommendation
    Should evaluate the significance and quality of the nominee's dissertation work
    1. One letter from the nominee’s dissertation supervisor
    2. One letter from a member of the nominee’s dissertation              committee
    3. One letter from a person of the nominee’s choice
  3. Nominee's CV
    Not to exceed five pages
Deadline

Nominations are due by June 1, 2024

The Outstanding Community Engagement Award is awarded to any graduate student who demonstrates substantial impact and engagement related to community service, social advocacy, civic engagement, and/or volunteer opportunities conducted between the summer of 2023 and the spring 2024 academic semesters.

2023 Winner

Emily Collie, Counseling and Rehabilitation

The Award

One award of $1,000 is given annually.

Eligibility

Nominees must be enrolled in Spring 2024 and can be from any academic program. The committee will consider relevant activities conducted from May 2023 through the time of the application’s submission. 

Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to GRADCOMM@mailbox.sc.edu. Only one nomination per program is allowed. The package must include:

  • CV or resume from the student (not to exceed two pages)
  • 1-page reflection of service-related experiences written by the student
  • 1-page letter from project supervisor, collaborator, or mentor

The committee will consider the following:

  •  Student’s contribution to community engagement
  • One-page support letter from project supervisor, collaborator, or mentor
  • The ability of the student to describe their activities and accomplishments (one page)
  • CV or resume from the student (not to exceed two pages) 
Deadline

Nominations are due by March 15, 2024

The Outstanding Research Award is awarded to one graduate student who conducted research during the 2023-24 academic year that is vital to their academic discipline and society at large.

2023 Winner

Rajat Das Gupta, Epidemiology

The Award

One award of $1,000 is given annually.

Eligibility

Nominees must be graduate students enrolled in Spring 2024.

Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to GRADCOMM@mailbox.sc.edu. Only one nomination per program is allowed. The package must include:

  • One-page letter from a faculty member contextualizing research
  • One-page research summary written by the student
  • CV or resume from the student (not to exceed two pages)

The committee will consider the following:

  • Substantial research outputs relevant to the area of expertise (publications, grants, creative works, etc.). Research conducted during this academic year is prioritized. 
  • The ability of the student to explain their research and its importance to a broad academic audience 
  • Faculty assessment of the student’s research significance and their contribution to the research outputs
Deadline

Nominations are due by March 15, 2024

The Excellence in Access and Opportunity Award is awarded to any graduate student who demonstrates excellence related to access, opportunity, diversity, equity, and/or inclusion.

The Award

One award of $1,000 is given annually.

Eligibility

Nominees must be enrolled in Spring 2024 and can be from any academic program. The committee will consider relevant activities conducted from May 2023 through the time of the application’s submission. 

Nominations 

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to GRADCOMM@mailbox.sc.edu. Only one nomination per program is allowed. The package must include:

  • One-page support letter from the project supervisor, collaborator, or mentor
  • Student statement (one page)
  • Student CV or resume (two page maximum)

The committee will consider the following:

  • Substantial achievements and/or advocacy related to access, opportunity, diversity, equity, and inclusion conducted between the Summer of 2023 and the Spring 2024 academic semester. 
  • One-page support letter from project supervisor, collaborator, or mentor
  • The ability for the student to describe their achievement and/or advocacy
  • CV or resume from the student 
Deadline

Nominations are due by March 15, 2024

The Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award is awarded to graduate students who have shown themselves to be exceptional graduate instructors or instructional assistants.

2023 Winners

Elizabeth Churchya, Music
Amadi Afua Sefah-Twerefour, Marine Science

The Award

Two $1,000 awards given annually. Instructors of record and GTA/Lab Instructors are eligible. There will be one award from the following academic disciplines:

  • Humanities, Social Sciences, Education or Related Professional Programs
  • Science, Mathematics or Related Professional Programs
Instructor of Record Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to GRADCOMM@mailbox.sc.edu.  Only one nomination per program is allowed.  The package must include:

  • Teaching evaluations from Spring 2023, Summer 2023, and/or Fall 2023 semesters
  • One-page teaching philosophy from the graduate student
    • The ability of the graduate student to describe their teaching philosophy and the quality of teaching as demonstrated by their teaching evaluations
  •  Optional – Teaching reviews (conducted by a faculty member or doctoral-level instructor)
GTA/Lab Instructor Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to GRADCOMM@mailbox.sc.edu  Only one nomination per program is allowed.  The package must include:

  • One-page teaching philosophy from the graduate student
  • One-page letter from a faculty member who can evaluate the nominee’s teaching during the Spring 2023, Summer 2023, or Fall 2023 semesters
  • Optional – Student evaluations 

Programs may nominate up to two candidates (one in each category).

Deadline

Nominations are due by March 15, 2024

 

Awards and Fellowships Across Campus and Beyond

Admitted and current students are encouraged to explore funding opportunities with campus partners and external organizations.


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