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 2025 and can be from any academic program. The committee will consider relevant activities conducted from May 2024 through the time of the application’s submission. 

Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to Matt Klopfenstein, klopfenm@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 7, 2025.

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 2025 and can be from any academic program. The committee will consider relevant activities conducted from May 2024 through the time of the application’s submission. 

Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to Matt Klopfenstein, klopfenm@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 7, 2025.

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, 2023 and June 30, 2025

Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to Matt Klopfenstein, klopfenm@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 19, 2025.

The Award

One award of $1,000 is given annually.

Eligibility

Nominees must be enrolled in Spring 2025 and can be from any academic program. The committee will consider relevant activities conducted from May 2024 through the time of the application’s submission. 

Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to Matt Klopfenstein, klopfenm@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 7, 2025.

The Award

One award of $1,000 is given annually.

Eligibility

Nominees must be graduate students enrolled in Spring 2025.

Nominations

Graduate Directors must submit nomination packets as one PDF document to Matt Klopfenstein, klopfenm@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 7, 2025.

The Award

One award of $1,000 is given annually.  Instructors of record and GTA/Lab Instructors are eligible.

Instructor of Record Nominations

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

• Teaching evaluations from Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and/or Fall 2024 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 Matt Klopfenstein, klopfenm@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 2024, Summer 2024, or Fall 2024 semesters
• Optional – Student evaluations 

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

Deadline

Nominations are due by March 7, 2025.

The Award

One national award, made at the time of the CGS Annual Meeting, carries a stipend of $1,000, and reasonable travel expenses to attend the Annual Meeting Awards Luncheon in Washington, D.C., December 3, 2025. 

Eligibility

Nominees should have:

1. The recipient must have received the doctorate within seven years of the award, and currently, teach at a U.S. or Canadian university.
2. The recipient degree must have been granted at a U.S. or Canadian university.
3. The book being considered must have been published within seven years of the award (2018-2025). The book must have been written in or translated into English.
4. The book must represent an outstanding contribution to scholarship in the field.

Nominations

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

• A summary letter  letter elaborating upon the scholarly contribution made by the nominee's book.
• Three copies of the book must be provided for submission to the national CGS committee to review. THE NOMINATED BOOKS WILL NOT BE RETURNED.   Books that are still in manuscript form at the deadline will not be considered.  

Deadline

USC nominations are due by April 16, 2025.