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.
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.
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.
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
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:
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.)
Three Letters of Recommendation Should evaluate the significance and quality of the nominee's dissertation work
One letter from the nominee’s dissertation supervisor
One letter from a member of the nominee’s dissertation committee
One letter from a person of the nominee’s choice
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.