GSEE Final Year Dissertation Award

The GSEE Final Year Dissertation Award is administered by the Office of Graduate Student Equity and Excellence (GSEE) and is currently accepting applications. This is a highly competitive award for doctoral students who demonstrate academic merit, have achieved candidacy, are on track to complete their doctorate in the next academic year, and have academic pursuits intended to contribute significantly to future intellectual and cultural scholarship and research. This award is intended to provide financial support to doctoral students in the final stages of completing their dissertations. This award is not intended for students who already have funding appointments through departmental TA/RAships. Students may be allowed to hold other graduate employment or training appointments concurrently with this award on a case by case basis.  

The Final Year Dissertation Award prioritizes GSEE Fellows who received a first and final year award upon their recruitment to the University of Washington. 

Award Details

Recipients may receive a total stipend of up to $31,500 for the 2026-27 academic year ($10,500 per quarter). This award provides a full tuition waiver and eligibility to receive health coverage through the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP). Please note that students may apply for funding for Fall, Winter, and/or Spring quarters. 

Eligibility

Students must have achieved candidacy and expect to defend their dissertation during the 2026-27 academic year.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted through the MyGrad system by Friday, April 24, 2026 at 11:59pm PST.

Application

The application for this award includes submission of the following: 

• One-page statement from the dissertation committee chair and/or advisor that addresses the following:

1. Confirmation that the student has achieved candidate status and date of exam. 
2. Confirmation that the student is in the final year of writing and completing the dissertation. The letter should provide evidence that the student is on track to defend the dissertation before the end of the 2026-27 academic year. The letter should include dissertation prospectus approval status, IRB application status, percentage of data collected and writing completed, and a detailed timeline for remaining stages. 
3. Indicate a projected completion and defense date. 
4. Specifically state the academic quarters that are being requested for the dissertation fellowship. Options: (Fall 2026, Winter 2027, and/or Spring 2027). 

• One-page statement from the student that addresses the following: 

1. A brief dissertation abstract, statement of current progress, and projected timeline for completion and defense of dissertation. 
2. A brief description of how academic pursuits will contribute significantly to the intellectual and cultural enrichment of future scholarship and research. 
3. A brief description of post-graduate career goals. 
4. A brief description of how this GSEE award will aid you in completing your doctorate. 
5. Specifically state the academic quarters that are being requested for the dissertation fellowship. Options: (Fall 2026, Winter 2027 and/or Spring 2027). 

Questions

Please email Fernando Puga, GSEE’s Fellowships & Awards Specialist at fernp21@uw.edu or uwgsee@uw.edu or call 206.543.9016 with any questions.