Dissertation Fellowship (DF)

Dissertation Fellowship (DF) Guidelines – Fall 2026

The DF provides support to highly-qualified FIU doctoral students during the writing phase of their dissertation. It is intended to facilitate the timely completion of high-quality manuscripts and dissertations. Dissertation Fellows are expected to graduate within one year after receiving the award.

Applicants should submit their complete application by 11:59pm on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

  • To be eligible for consideration for a DF, applicants must:
  • Be within six (6) dissertation credits of completing all requirements for the degree by the term in which the award would begin
  • Be currently enrolled for a minimum of three (3) dissertation credits
  • Have an approved Program for Doctoral Degree and Application for Candidacy Form on file in the UGS at least two terms prior to applying for this fellowship (Fall 2025 UGS approved candidacy)
  • Have an approved Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Form on file in the UGS at least one term prior to applying for this fellowship (Spring 2026 UGS approved proposal)
    Note: For programs requiring the proposal as part of candidacy, both candidacy and proposal forms must be approved and on file in the UGS two terms prior to applying for this fellowship (Fall 2025 UGS approved candidacy and proposal)
  • Have completed all data collection for the dissertation
  • If applicant has an approved Dissertation and Request for Oral Defense on file, they are not eligible to receive the DF
  • If awarded, recipients must attest that they will work full time on their dissertation during the period of the fellowship and will not hold any other employment during that time

*Please Note: *UGS Fellowships can be awarded consecutively but not simultaneously.

Questions? Contact – ugsfellows@fiu.edu.

Award
$21,261.49 for two terms ($10,903.33 in Fall 2026 and $10,358.16 in Spring 2027)
Scopes
University Graduate School
Deadline
06/07/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. Please indicate the semester and year when you began your Ph.D. program (e.g. Fall 2022)
  2. Do you have an approved Program for Doctoral Degree and Application for Candidacy Form on file in the UGS two terms prior to applying for this fellowship (Fall 2025 UGS approved candidacy)?
  3. Do you have an approved Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Form on file in the UGS in the term prior to applying for this fellowship (Spring 2026 UGS approved proposal)? * Programs for which the dissertation proposal is part of candidacy, BOTH candidacy and proposal forms must have Fall 2025 UGS approval.
  4. Do you have an approved Dissertation and Request for Oral Defense on file? If so, you are NOT eligible to apply for DF.
  5. Proposed Title of Dissertation
  6. Summarize the significance of the project in non-specialist language.
  7. Provide a timeline for completion of your doctoral work. Please be specific and clear about where the research currently stands.
  8. Numbered list of published or accepted manuscripts from work done at FIU. Provide full citation and number of pages. Indicate clearly if manuscript is an original article, book chapter, or refereed conference proceeding. In many disciplines “first author” name ordering conventions relay information about the relative size of an author’s contribution to the project – please describe your level of contribution to a project if you feel that the order of authors’ names provides an inaccurate impression (e.g. contributions were equal and authors used alphabetical ordering rather than “first author” conventions).
  9. Numbered list of manuscripts from work done at FIU that are currently in progress or under review. Provide full citation and number of pages. Indicate clearly if manuscript is an original article, book chapter, or refereed conference proceeding. In many disciplines “first author” name ordering conventions relay information about the relative size of an author’s contribution to the project – please describe your level of contribution to a project if you feel that the order of authors’ names provides an inaccurate impression (e.g. contributions were equal and authors used alphabetical ordering rather than “first author” conventions).
  10. Numbered list of professional presentations (given or accepted) from work done at FIU. Provide full citation including the list of authors as they appear. Do not repeat citations. Provide meeting, location, date and, if available, acceptance rates. In many disciplines “first author” name ordering conventions relay information about the relative size of an author’s contribution to the project – please describe your level of contribution to a project if you feel that the order of authors’ names provides an inaccurate impression (e.g. contributions were equal and authors used alphabetical ordering rather than “first author” conventions).
  11. Summary of previous and ongoing financial support during Doctoral Studies at FIU while as a student (e.g. TA, RA, Fellowships, scholarships, etc.).
  12. List all external funding applied for by the student. Indicate if funding was awarded, the amount awarded, and period of support provided.
  13. Please request a reference from your Major Professor (Letter of recommendation from Major Professor is required).
  14. Please request a reference from one faculty member other than your major professor (Letter of recommendation from this additional faculty member is required).
  15. Please type in your first and last name acknowledging that you understand and attest all information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
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