At the University of Washington, graduate students are the driving force behind groundbreaking research, transformative teaching and real-world solutions. But today, more than half of our doctoral students face the devastating possibility of losing their funding—and with it, their ability to continue the work that shapes our world.
“If the brightest minds are sidelined, progress will not just stall — it will disappear.”
— Joy Williamson-Lott, Dean, UW Graduate School
The crisis we face
Federal and public funding for graduate education is collapsing. Mid-cycle grant cuts and reduced federal support threaten to displace up to 500 doctoral students—56% of our PhD population. These students haven’t lost their passion or purpose. They’re being left behind by a system that’s failing to invest in their potential.
Without immediate action:
- Entire labs will shut down
- Critical discoveries will be delayed or lost
- Classrooms will go without teachers
- Washington’s $21B research economy will suffer
Why graduate students matter
Graduate students are not just learners; they are leaders, mentors and innovators. Their work powers UW’s global impact:
- Pioneering cancer therapies and kidney dialysis
- Advancing clean energy and climate resilience
- Innovating accessible technologies
- Elevating K–12 education and public health
They are essential to UW’s mission—and to the future of our communities.
Graduate student stories
Fulbright fellows for 2024
Leoma James
Sewon Min
A bold response: the graduate student research resilience fund
UW has already committed $4 million in emergency bridge funding. But a $26 million shortfall remains.
This fund is more than financial aid; it’s the infrastructure of discovery. It ensures that students can stay in labs, classrooms and communities where they teach, mentor and innovate.
“Graduate students are linchpins. Lose even one to lack of funding, and we lose discoveries, jobs—hope itself.”
— David Baker, PhD, Director, Institute for Protein Design, 2024 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry
Your gift. Their future. Our impact.
Every gift to the Graduate Student Research Resilience Fund is an investment in the people and ideas that move society forward.
| Gift | Impact |
|---|---|
| $20,000 | Funds one graduate student for one quarter |
This is our moment to act
“Protecting our doctoral students isn’t just mission-critical—it’s an investment in our collective future.”
— Tricia Serio, PhD, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Let’s ensure that discovery remains an unstoppable force for good. Let’s lead together.
For more information about this fund, please contact Tomitha Blake and Lauren Colette.