School of Graduate Studies/GradFund

Program Purpose: The School of Graduate Studies Conference and Research Award program is designed to provide support to Ph.D. students in the School of Graduate Studies (School 16) who do not have access to the conference funding programs available through the New Brunswick/Piscataway and Newark Biomedical Sciences programs. The purpose of the SGS Conference and Research Award program is to help defray costs associated with off-campus research activities and presenting at academic, scholarly, and scientific conferences. Priority will be to support students who do not have access to other resources to support these activities and who are making good progress in their degree program. Support is provided in the form of a $1000 stipend award that will be paid to the student through student accounting.  

The application portal is now open, and applications will be accepted until December 15, 2024. Students may apply for a $1000 stipend to support research or conference travel between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.  The award is a stipend intended to support travel expenses related to conference travel or research.  

Funding is available to support up to 200 students. Awards will be distributed equitably across our graduate programs. 

Priority will be given to students who are ABD. For conference travel requests, the student must plan to present at the conference. For research travel requests, priority will be given to students who do not have access to other sources of funding to support their research. 

Informational Webinar: To support student success, we hosted an information webinar on September 19, 2024.  The purpose of the webinar was to review how to apply for SGS Research and Conference Travel awards. The session was recorded and can be viewed on Box.

Review Process: Only completed applications will be reviewed. The review process is a three-stage review process. In stage one, a technical review will confirm your eligibility to be considered for the award program. Only eligible applicants will be moved forward to stage two. In stage two, your application is reviewed by your graduate program which will be asked to endorse and rank your application. In stage three, the SGS Conference and Research Travel Award committee will review the top ranked applications and make award decisions. All decisions by the SGS Committee are final and confidential. 

Questions? Please send your questions about the competition or application process to: SGS_Awards@grad.rutgers.edu.  

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Program Timeline 

September 6, 2024:  Application Portal Opens 

September 19, 2024 at 10am:  Information Webinar for graduate students, GPDs, faculty and staff 

December 15, 2024:  Application Deadline 

December 15-20, 2024:  SGS Technical Review 

December 21, 2024-January 31, 2025:  Graduate Program Review 

February 3-21, 2025:  SGS Review 

March 1, 2025:  Applicant Notification 

Questions? Please send your questions about the competition or application process to: SGS_Awards@grad.rutgers.edu. 

Log in to get started: We use the university's single sign on (SSO) tool on the Submittable platform. If you have used our platform in the past, click on the "Have an Account? Sign In" button and follow the links for Single Sign On. If you are a first time user, click on the "Create Your Account" button and follow the links for Single Sign On. 

Program Purpose:  The School of Graduate Studies University & Louis Bevier Dissertation Completion Fellowship is designed to provide support during a doctoral candidate’s final year of dissertation research and writing. The award is intended to support completion and recognize excellence. We anticipate awarding up to 15 University and Louis Bevier Dissertation Completion Fellowships for the 2025-2026 academic year.  All SGS doctoral students (School 16) are eligible to apply.
 

The fellowship provides:

• Stipend of $25,000
• Health insurance (if needed)
• Tuition remission for up to 2 research credits per semester (no more than 4 total for the academic year)

Eligibility: SGS doctoral students (School 16) who plan to complete their degree requirements and receive their PhD in 2026. Fellows may not hold other full-time awards or appointments concurrently with University and Louis Bevier Fellowships. 

Preference will be given to students who can demonstrate that they do not have promised funding for the 2025-2026 academic year or to students who can demonstrate that by foregoing a teaching assistantship, the fellowship will allow them to concentrate fully on completing their dissertations.

Program Timeline:

Competition Opens: November 4, 2024

Student Deadline: January 22, 2025 

Faculty Letter Deadline: January 24, 2025

Graduate Program Deadline review and ranking period: January 27, 2025 - February 24, 2025

SGS level review: February 25, 2025 - March 25, 2025

Applicants and Programs notified of decisions: April 1, 2025

Deadline to accept decline: April 15, 2025

Evaluation Criteria: Demonstrated excellence of the candidate, including (but not limited to):

 Applicant Quality

• Overall academic record
• Conference presentations and posters
• Publications
• Internal/external fellowships and grants
• Prizes and other forms of scholarly recognition

Project Quality

• Intellectual Merit
• Significance to the discipline

Plan for Completion

• Feasible plan to complete the dissertation with fellowship support

Availability of other sources of funding
 

Faculty Endorsement

• Strength of the letter of recommendation
• Graduate program/track review and scoring

Application Components: Your application consists of the following items:

• Your completed application form;
• Your CV;
• Transcripts (unofficial) from all of your graduate institutions;
• 2 letters of recommendation (One letter must be from your dissertation advisor/chair and the other should be from a member of your dissertation committee);
• A 5-page (double-space, Arial, 11-point font) proposal describing your dissertation project;
• A 1-page completion timeline;
• A 2-page project bibliography

Review Process: Only completed applications will be reviewed.  The review process is a three-stage review process. In stage one, a technical review will confirm your eligibility to be considered for the fellowship. Only eligible applicants will be moved forward to stage two.  In stage two, your application is reviewed, scored and ranked by your graduate program or track. In stage three, your application is reviewed by the multidisciplinary SGS University & Louis Bevier Fellowship Committee.  All decisions by the SGS Committee are final and confidential.

Questions? Please send your questions about the competition or application process, to: SGS_Awards@grad.rutgers.edu.

Log in to get started:
       We use the university's single sign on (SSO) tool on the Submittable platform.  If you have used our platform in the past, click on the "Have an Account? Sign In"  button and follow the links for Single Sign On.  If you are a first time user, click on the "Create Your Account" button and follow the links for Single Sign On.

The Office of the EVPAA will continue to award Presidential Graduate Fellowships for AY 2025-26. 

These fellowships are designed to provide supplementary support and are often used as a recruitment tool for our top pool of potential graduate students.  Fellowships will be funded through the OEVPAA for up to three years only.  Deans or chancellors/provosts may choose to provide funds for any additional years to create a five-year package.

Rutgers–New Brunswick has been allocated 12 Presidential Graduate Fellowship. 

Guidelines for Presidential Graduate Fellowships:

• Fellowships are available for doctoral students and will be awarded at $10,000 per student annually for up to 3 years.  Note that these are intended as supplements for appointments such as primary AY TA or GA, or to smaller, less competitive fellowships.  These Presidential Fellowships do not provide tuition remission or health insurance.  
• The Presidential Fellowship Award is supplementary and funds 3 years per student, assuming the student is making satisfactory progress.  Although OEVPAA funds do not extend beyond 3 years, deans or chancellors/provosts may choose to extend funding for years 4 and 5.
• Presidential Fellowships CAN be held simultaneously with other fellowships, or with TA or GA appointments.  Presidential Fellowships can also be used for summer supplementation for students on AY appointments.
• A faculty committee comprised of both graduate programs and professional schools will rank nominees; rankings will be sent to the Office of the EVPAA  and the EVPAA will approve final selections.

 
 Please send your questions about the competition or application process, to SGS_Awards@grad.rutgers.edu.

Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund Nomination

  The Will of Dolores Zohrab Liebmann created a perpetual charitable trust designated as “The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund” for the purpose of funding advanced education and graduate study grants, which must be carried out entirely in the United States of America.  The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowships are to be awarded only to candidates who have outstanding undergraduate records, have demonstrated a need for financial assistance, are citizens of the United States of America, are enrolled in accredited colleges and universities in the United States and have received baccalaureate degrees.

    Mrs. Liebmann was the daughter of a prominent Armenian intellectual, writer and statesman and was married to one of the owners of a successful American business.  She supported students and educational and charitable organizations during her lifetime.  Mrs. Liebmann’s primary concern, as expressed in her Will, was to attract and support students with outstanding character and ability who hold promise for achievement and distinction in their chosen fields of study.  The trustees welcome applications from students of all national origins who are United States citizens.

    The amount of each Fellowship will cover the cost of tuition only (no fees) and a stipend to be allocated towards room, board, living expenses and income taxes.  The Trustee has set the stipend at $18,000 for this year.


CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

      1.  Fellowships are available to students who are currently enrolled in and pursuing a graduate degree at a designated institution of higher learning located in the United States of America.  Undergraduate students are no longer qualified candidates.

       2.  The program of study being pursued by the candidate may include any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences (including law, medicine, engineering, architecture or other formal professional training).  The selection committee has a strong preference for supporting scholarly endeavors.

       3.  The candidate must have received a baccalaureate degree at the time of application and have an outstanding undergraduate record.  

       4.  The candidate must demonstrate a need for financial assistance.

       5.  The candidate must be a citizen of the United States of America.

       6.  The candidate may be of any national descent or background.  

FELLOWSHIP DETAILS

       1.  The amount of each Fellowship will cover actual tuition costs (no fees) plus an $18,000 annual stipend to be allocated towards room, board and ordinary living expenses, as well as any income taxes thereon.

       2.  The recipient of a Fellowship shall be known as a Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellow.

       3. Fellowships are awarded annually. Each Fellow MUST APPLY FOR A RENEWAL of his or her fellowship by March 31 of the following year in accordance with the terms in effect at the time the fellowship is awarded (No reminder will be sent). Fellowships will be limited to a maximum of three years. 

    4. Awarded fellowships may not be deferred.

    5. A Fellowship may be canceled at any time if a Fellow engages in misconduct affecting the Fund, breaches any of these rules or provides false information to the Fund either directly or indirectly.

APPLICATION PROCESS

  Applications for nomination must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by January 7, 2025.  Three applicants will be selected as candidates for consideration.  

  In order to be considered for nomination, a completed application form and all required supplemental documentation must be submitted through the Submittable platform by January 7, 2025.  The application form for the nomination is available here, on Box.  If you are unable to access Box Folder, please email fellowship_advisor@gradfund.rutgers.edu for assistance.

Required Supplemental Documentation 

1. Your completed application form (download a copy from Box) 
2. One copy of your personal vitae or résumé.
3. One certified copy of each undergraduate and graduate transcript to date.
4. One copy of your graduate exam test scores. 
5.  A Statement of Purpose up to three pages long (double spaced) which considers the relationship between your graduate level study and your intended personal and/or professional goals. Your Statement of Purpose must include a 10-15 line abstract at the top (included in the three pages) that explains, in LAYMAN’S  terms, the essence of your proposed topic of study or dissertation, the methodology of its treatment and its anticipated impact on your field of study.
6. Letter of Recommendation from your Graduate Program Director or Track Director.  (Optional) (Due January 7, 2025) Letters of Recommendation from at least two professors who have taught or worked closely with you. (Required) (Due January 7, 2025)
7. One copy of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
8. One copy of your Financial Aid Summary from your school.
9. One copy of your Federal Income Tax Return(tax form only -no schedules or attachments)  for the prior two years (including your spouse’s returns, if applicable)

Application Process

       The application process at Rutgers is handled entirely by the School of Graduate Studies  For more information on applying, please contact fellowship_advisor@gradfund.rutgers.edu.  Do not contact JPMorgan or members of the selection committee.

Fellowship Conditions 

1. Fellowships are available to students who are enrolled in a graduate program and pursuing a graduate degree at a designated institution of higher learning at the time of application.  Individuals applying to graduate programs are no longer qualified candidates.  The list of designated institutions can be reviewed on-line at https://www.jpmorgan.com/solutions/private-bank/foundations/liebmann.

2. An applicant may be pursuing a program of study that includes any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences (including law, medicine, engineering, architecture or other formal professional training).  The selection committee has a strong preference for supporting scholarly endeavors.

3. An applicant must have an outstanding undergraduate record.  

4. An applicant must demonstrate financial need.  

5. An applicant must be a citizen of the United States of America.

6. The amount of each Fellowship will cover actual tuition costs plus an $18,000 annual stipend to be allocated towards room, board and ordinary living expenses, as well as any income taxes thereon. 

7. The recipient of a Fellowship shall be known as a Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellow. 

8. A Fellowship is awarded on an annual basis.  Each Fellow must apply for renewal of his or her Fellowship by March 31 of the following year in accordance with the terms in effect at the time the fellowship is awarded.  Fellowships are limited to a maximum of three years. 

9. An awarded Fellowship may not be deferred.  

10. A Fellow must remain enrolled in a graduate program and pursuing a graduate degree at a designated institution.

11. A Fellow must conduct studies in the United States of America.

12. A Fellowship may be canceled at any time if a Fellow engages in misconduct affecting the Fund, breaches any of these rules or provides false information to the Fund either directly or indirectly. 

13. A Fellow agrees to have his or her name published and identified as a Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellow.

  The qualifications and selection of candidates to receive the benefits of the Fellowship, the selection or approval of the programs of study to be pursued and the places or the institutions where such studies are pursued, and the meaning, interpretation and application of the provisions of the Will of Dolores Zohrab Liebmann establishing the Fellowship, shall be determined in the sole judgment and discretion of the Trustee, based upon the advice and counsel of a Selection Committee.


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