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 graduate students who demonstrate academic merit, have achieved candidacy, are on track to complete their doctorate in the next academic year, and whose graduate academic pursuits will contribute significantly to the intellectual and cultural enrichment of future scholarship and research. This award is intended to provide financial support, so students are free of TA/RA responsibilities while they are in the final stages of dissertation writing. This award is not intended for students who already have funding appointments through a departmental TA/RAship. Students will only be allowed to hold other graduate service or training appointments concurrently with this award on a case by case basis.
Final Year Dissertation Award funding prioritizes GSEE Fellows who received a first and final year award upon their recruitment to the University of Washington. Any remaining funds will be distributed on a rolling basis to GSEE students who are in need of final year dissertation funding.
Award Details
Recipients will receive a total stipend of $31,500 for the 2025-26 academic year ($10,500 per quarter). This award covers full tuition and students are eligible 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 2025-26 academic year.
Deadline
Applications must be submitted through the MyGrad system by Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:59pm PST.
Application
The following information must be submitted:
Submit a one-page statement from the dissertation committee chair/or advisor, that addresses the following:
- Confirm that the student has achieved candidate status and provide a date of exam.
- Confirm that the student is in the final writing year of the dissertation. The letter should provide evidence that the student is on-track to defend the dissertation in the 2025-26 academic year. The committee chair can address issues such as dissertation prospectus approval status, IRB application status, percentage of data collected and writing completed, and a detailed timeline for remaining stages.
- Indicate a projected completion/defense date.
- Specifically state the academic quarters that are being requested for the dissertation fellowship. Options: (Fall 2025, Winter 2026, and/or Spring 2026).
Submit a one-page statement from the student that addresses the following:
- A brief dissertation abstract and outline of current progress and a projected timeline for completion of remaining stages and defense of dissertation.
- A brief description of how academic pursuits will contribute significantly to the intellectual and cultural enrichment of future scholarship and research.
- A brief description of future goals.
- A brief description of how this GSEE award will aid you in achieving your degree.
- Specifically state the academic quarters that are being requested for the dissertation fellowship. Options: (Fall 2025, Winter 2026 and/or Spring 2026).
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.