Funded by the National Science Foundation, the Circularity Impact Program (CIP) trains graduate students in the circular use of water, energy, and materials and integrates the study of policy and engineering/science. This interdisciplinary program seeks to educate a new generation of diverse circularity professionals through a combination of internships, cutting-edge research, and community and classroom interactions led by an Artist-in-Residence to enhance the trainees’ positive societal impact through critical reflection, creative collaboration, and social engagement. These training efforts will benefit society by leading to new technologies, policy and economic instruments, methods, and implementation strategies for the circular use of resources. 

Go here for more information. 

The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. 

GRFP seeks to broaden participation in science and engineering of underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans. The five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support inclusive of an annual stipend of $37,000.

GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who have demonstrated the potential to be high achieving scientists and engineers, early in their careers. Applicants must be pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education at accredited US institutions.

https://www.nsfgrfp.org/

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Applicants must self-certify that they are eligible to receive the Fellowship. To be eligible, an applicant must meet all of the following eligibility criteria by the application deadline:

• Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident

• Intend to enroll or be enrolled full-time in a research-based graduate degree program in an eligible Field of Study in STEM or STEM education 

• Have never previously accepted a GRFP award

• If previously offered a GRFP award, have declined by the deadline

• Have never previously applied to GRFP while enrolled in a graduate degree program

• Have never earned a doctoral or terminal degree in any field

• Have never earned a master's, professional, or bachelor's-master's degree in any field, unless (i) returning to graduate study after an interruption of two (2) or more consecutive years immediately preceding the deadline, and; (ii) are not enrolled in a graduate degree program at the application deadline

• Not be a current NSF employee

Application Deadlines

All applications are due at 5:00 PM Local Time of Mailing Address.

• Oct. 19, 2023 – Engineering

What is the Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship? 

The Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF) gives the University's most accomplished Ph.D. candidates an opportunity to devote full-time effort to an outstanding research project by providing time to finalize and write a dissertation during the fellowship year.

The award includes a stipend of $25,000 for the academic year (September-May), tuition for up to 14 thesis credits each semester (fall & spring), and subsidized health insurance through the Graduate Assistant Health Plan.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? 

Programs may nominate Ph.D. candidates if the nominee:

• will have passed the written and oral preliminary examinations by February 23, 2024.

• will have completed all program coursework by the end of spring semester 2024 (Nominee may be registered for program coursework in spring 2023, but may not have any incompletes in program coursework at the time of nomination.).

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• is expected to graduate in 2025.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information about internal review and nomination procedures, please contact your Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or designated program support staff. If you have additional questions, contact the Graduate School Fellowship Office.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Each nomination is uploaded by program staff, as a single PDF to the electronic nomination form, and must include:

• Nominee's Education Statement

• Nominee's Summary of Accomplishments

• Nominee's Statement of Research

• DGS Evaluation

• Two Letters of Recommendation

Contact your program directly with questions related to their internal review process. 

Programs will submit all required nomination materials directly to the Graduate School Fellowship Office. 

https://grad.umn.edu/funding/current-students/doctoral-dissertation-fellowship

What is the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship? 

The Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship (IDF) provides a unique opportunity for outstanding Ph.D. students who are engaged in interdisciplinary research to study with faculty at one of the University’s interdisciplinary research centers or institutes during the fellowship year. Applicants designate the host center or institute they believe is the best match with their planned dissertation topic, contingent upon endorsement by the host center or institute. Applicants should check with mentors and directors early to ensure a good match. All application materials are forwarded to the student’s graduate program for submission to the Graduate School.

The award includes a stipend of $25,000 for the academic year (September-May), tuition for up to 14 graduate credits each semester (Fall & Spring), and subsidized health insurance through the Graduate Assistant Health Plan. Summer health insurance will be provided if the Fellow remains eligible.

The review will be conducted by a University-wide faculty committee. Selection of recipients will be based on the following criteria:

• Interdisciplinary nature of the research project (selection will favor research that integrates disciplines not currently represented in the student's graduate program)

• Innovativeness of the proposed research

• How affiliation with the host center/institute will benefit the student

• Willingness and ability of the center/institute and its faculty to host the student during the fellowship year

• Student's independence, originality, and the comparative strength of the academic record

• Potential contribution of the research to the field

• Strength of the supporting letters

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? 

To be considered for an Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship (IDF), students must meet the following criteria:

• Ph.D. student in good standing with their program at the University of Minnesota

• Have an intended graduation term of no earlier than spring 2026*

• Able to demonstrate that they are making timely degree progress

Students who have received an Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship (IDF) or a Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF) from the Graduate School in the past are not eligible.

*Students who are not qualified for the IDF fellowship due to their intended graduation term should instead apply for the Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information about internal review and nomination procedures, please contact your Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or designated program support staff. If you have additional questions, contact the Graduate School Fellowship Office.

https://grad.umn.edu/funding/current-students/interdisciplinary-doctoral-fellowship

Deadline to department: November 1

Deadline to University: November 10

The Louise T. Dosdall Fellowship is for female-identified doctoral students pursuing research or study in Natural or Physical Sciences and Engineering. Fellows are expected to be engaged full-time in degree-related activity during the fellowship year. Funding includes $25,000 for the academic year, plus tuition and subsidized health insurance for the academic year. Summer health insurance will be provided if the Fellow remains eligible. Up to two awards are available for 2022-23.

Who Is Eligible?

Students must be registered for credit in a Ph.D. program and must have completed at least one year of graduate studies at the University of Minnesota at the time of application. Students are ineligible for a second award.

Graduate programs are limited to one nomination per program. Please contact your graduate program for internal review instructions.

How Do I Apply?

Graduate Programs can complete the application electronically. Nominees cannot submit applications directly.

See below for additional instructions which may be helpful when completing the application.

Instructions for Required Components:

RESEARCH PROJECT STATEMENT

• Maximum two-pages, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins.  Key references, diagrams or pictures may be included (but they are not required) on a single additional appendix page (no formatting requirements).

• Include a working title for your research project at the top of the proposal.

• After the title, begin the statement with a 100-word abstract.

• Your research plan should describe the work already completed, the current status of the project, and whether or not it is to form the basis of your dissertation.

• If your research is part of a larger group project, be specific about your role and independent contribution.

• Explain how your research will be completed if this request is not funded or if other needed funds are not forthcoming.

CURRICULUM VITAE

• Maximum two-pages, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins.

• Focus on activities relevant to your research, publications, presentations, academic accomplishments & awards.

UNOFFICIAL UMN TRANSCRIPT

• Find out how to obtain unofficial UMN transcripts here.

IRB/IACUC DOCUMENTATION

If you are unsure if you need IRB/IACUC approval, start by speaking with your faculty advisor(s). You can also consult the UMN IRB page for additional resources. 

Applicants will also need provide two letters of recommendation.

https://grad.umn.edu/funding/program-requests-nominations/endowed-fellowships

The CEGE department will have its own 3MT competition to determine which two students should go forward to the CSE competition. 

Details coming soon. 

The CSE Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is on Friday, October 23, from 4:00-5:30 pm in room TBD.

Each graduate program can enter up to two students in the competition. Information for the student presenters is below:

3MT Student Registration

• Register by Wednesday, October 12 at 3MT Student Registration

• Students must present their thesis in-person (not via Zoom)

• Have a photo and presentation slide ready to upload to the registration form

• The slide must be in PowerPoint with a wide screen ratio of 16:9

• Cash prizes sponsored by PPG Industries! (First place: $700, Runner up: $500, People's Choice: $300)

• For further information: CSE 3MT

A panel of CSE alumni will judge the competition. The CSE winner will receive a cash prize and will represent the college at the University competition. 

The University competition is on Friday, November 11, 10 - 11:30 am, in Coffman Union Theater. The student selected as the University-wide winner will receive a digital badge and may represent the University of Minnesota at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) 3-Minute Thesis competition. 

What is the Distinguished Master's Thesis Competition? 

The Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) is soliciting nominations in two of four categories that alternate every year. In 2024, MAGS is seeking nominations for the Distinguished Master's Thesis Awards in the broad categories of Biological/Life Sciences and Humanities. In the following year, the two categories will be Social Sciences and Mathematical, Physical Sciences, and Engineering.

The recipients of the award will receive a $500 honorarium and will be nominated to the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools’ (MAGS) annual Distinguished Master’s Thesis competition. The national MAGS winner will receive a $750 honorarium and up to $500 for travel to the MAGS Annual Meeting.

https://grad.umn.edu/funding/program-requests-nominations/distinguished-masters-thesis-competition

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?  

• nominee is pursuing their first graduate research degree, regardless of discipline

• nominee must have been awarded the Master's degree between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023

• nominee’s thesis is in the discipline of either Biological & Life Sciences OR Humanities (including fine arts and history)

• nominees who submitted original work "in lieu of thesis" (such as musical compositions, published books, works of art, computer software, etc.) are NOT eligible

• programs can nominate up to one (1) student

HOW DO I NOMINATE STUDENTS? 

Each eligible graduate program may submit one nomination of a Plan A master's thesis.

The PDF nomination file should include documents #1-3, in the following order:

1.  One-page nomination letter, signed by the DGS.

2.  300-word abstract describing the research and its significance, including the thesis title and name of the author but not the name of the nominating institution.

3.  Letter of support from the advisor.

Required PDF title format: Nominee Last Name, First Name - Program 

What is the Best Dissertation Award Program? 

Each year the Graduate School recognizes the University's top recent Ph.D. graduates by presenting 'best dissertation' awards.

The award is given in each of four broad areas:

• arts & humanities (including history and philosophy)

• biological and medical sciences

• physical sciences and engineering

• social & behavioral sciences and education

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION WINDOW?

The 2024 application window will open February 15, 2024. The submission deadline is April 5, 2024 by 5:00pm central time.

Deadline extensions will not be granted; late submissions will not be accepted.

WHAT IS THE AWARD?

$1,000 honorarium and consideration for nomination to the CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Program Nomination required. Please reach out to your Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Program Coordinator.

Application Requirements

A single PDF nomination file should include the documents listed below in the following order:

1. Nomination Form

2. Curriculum Vitae (not to exceed 5 pages), see details below

3. DGS Nomination Letter, see details below

4. Letter of Recommendation from Dissertation Advisor

5. Layman’s Summary (one page), see details below

6. Description of dissertation research and its conclusions, see details below

Required PDF title format: Nominee LastName_FirstName_2024BestDissertation

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

Current and former students who will have been awarded the Ph.D., or who will have successfully defended and officially submitted their dissertations to the Graduate Student Services & Progress (GSSP) office, between July 1, 2022 and April 5, 2024., will be eligible to be nominated. UMN-Twin Cities and UMN-Duluth graduate programs that offer the Ph.D. may nominate one student.

If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Fellowships Office

What is the Excellence in Teaching Award? 

The Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) is soliciting nominations for the Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of graduate students who exemplify excellence in the teaching/learning mission of their university.

Two awards have been created to recognize the importance of excellence in teaching and mentoring as a component of graduate education and the preparation of graduate students for future service as college and university faculty. One award will be given to a doctoral student and one to a master’s student.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION WINDOW?

The 2024-25 application window will open September 15, 2023. The submission deadline is December 8, 2023 by 5:00 p.m. central time.

Deadline extensions will not be granted; late submissions will not be accepted.

WHAT IS THE AWARD?

$500 honorarium and nomination to the MAGS’ annual Excellence in Teaching Award competition.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Program Nomination required. Please reach out to your Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Program Coordinator.

A Graduate Program may submit one nomination for a master’s student and one nomination for a doctoral student. Programs submit a single PDF for each nominee of all application materials to gsfellow@umn.edu by the deadline.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

• Letter of Support from the Department Chair or Head, see details below

• Curriculum Vitae

• Nominee’s Teaching Portfolio, maximum of six (6) pages, see details below

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

• Master’s or doctoral students registered in the University of Minnesota Graduate School during the 2023-24 academic year

• Hold a graduate student teaching appointment during the 2023 calendar year (e.g. Spring 2023, Summer 2023, and/or Fall 2023)

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information about internal review and nomination procedures, please contact your Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or designated program support staff. If you have additional questions, contact the Graduate School Fellowship Office

Travel grants are available for University of Minnesota graduate students pursuing doctoral, master's, or professional degrees.

Select your degree type below for more information about application requirements. If you're unsure if your program falls under 'graduate' or 'professional,' please refer to this list to verify.

https://grad.umn.edu/funding/current-students/thesis-research-travel-grants

Grants

The COGS Grants Team consists of Director and Associate Director of Grants, and a periodically-organized Grants Review Committee of volunteer graduate students, who operate the robust COGS Grants program. The grants are administered in cycles that approximately align with the academic semesters, and fund a variety of professional and educational endeavors.

Eligibility Information

Any student represented by COGS - all "GRD-designated" and non-professional graduate students on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus - is eligible to apply for a COGS grant. You will need a current tuition bill showing the Council of Graduate Students fee assessment or a current registration summary showing Doctoral FTE 8444, Masters FTE 8777, or GRAD 8888.

Please note that students registered in 999 courses are not COGS-fee paying students automatically. However, students registered for 999 courses may volunteer to pay the COGS fee by emailing onestop@umn.edu.

If your tuition bill shows that you pay the Professional Student Government fee, you are NOT eligible for COGS grants. Instead, explore PSG grant options HERE.

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Each student may submit one application from each of the three grant categories every semester; previous grant recipients are eligible to apply for COGS grants. This means a student can submit per semester a maximum of one career development grant application, one conference grant application, and one research support grant. Grant applications are limited to one conference or career development "activity" per application.

​

If you are uncertain whether you are eligible to apply for COGS grants, please email cogsgrant@umn.edu with your inquiry.

Selection Criteria

Applicants’ academic merit and financial need (as previously defined) are evaluated based on:

• A statement of financial need;

• A strong, well-written personal statement that explains what the grant funds will be used for;

• One recommendation letter that addresses the applicant's financial need and academic merit; and

• Evidence of academic promise via research record, grades, and/or reference letters.

Event and Reimbursement Timings

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An event (including conference travel) that has already occurred by the time the grant will be reviewed will be considered for a grant for reimbursement on the same basis as an activity that has not yet occurred.

Grant recipients will be asked to provide itemized receipts for all of their expenses associated with the grant activity. Upon receiving the receipts and a revised budget form reflecting actual expenses and sources of funding, COGS will disburse funds via PayPal.

https://www.cogs.umn.edu/grants-information

What are Bridging Funds? 

The purpose of the Graduate School’s Bridging Funds Program is to encourage graduate students to pursue prestigious, external fellowships by providing funding to support a fellowship recipient’s health insurance and/or tuition. The Graduate School has a finite amount of funding to support this program. There are two tracks for funding from Bridging Funds:

Track 1 - Automatic Funding

• The Graduate School is obligated to provide funding support to graduate student recipients of the NSF GRFP and NSF CSGRAD4US, Ford Fellowship (predoctoral and dissertation), and the Smithsonian Big Ten Academic Alliance Fellowship. Fellows do not need to submit additional documentation to receive this automatic funding.

Track 2 - Request Funding

• Programs can request Bridging Funds for graduate students who receive other prestigious, external fellowships to fund the UMN Graduate Assistant Health Plan (GAHP) for one calendar year if the external fellowship does not provide a health insurance allowance.

• More information, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, are listed below.

HOW MUCH IS THE AWARD?

A Bridging Funds Award can be requested for the max amount of the GAHP, which is approximately $7,980.

WHAT EXTERNAL FELLOWSHIPS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

• External Fellowship is from a selective competition that is external to the University of Minnesota

• The recipient applied directly to the external fellowship and is the named recipient

• External Fellowship tenure is for at least one academic year (two semesters)

• External Fellowship stipend amount is equivalent to or greater than $25,000

• External Fellowship is administered through the University system

• Graduate student recipient will be registered for graduate credit at the University of Minnesota during both semesters of fellowship tenure

HOW DO I APPLY?

Program Nomination required. Please reach out to your Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Program Coordinator.

For Program Nomination, log in to the electronic nomination form.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION WINDOW?

The 2023-24 request window will open Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 8:00am CST. Requests are funded on a first-come, first-served basis.

WHAT ARE THE REQUEST MATERIALS?

• External Fellowship Award Letter and/or Terms & Conditions

• Completed Application (see PDF of required information here)