Dissertation Fellowships
The Dissertation Fellowship Program offers Fellowships for up to one full academic year to selected Ph.D. students who are engaged in excellent research in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of Miami, and/or University of South Florida.
Purpose:
The Dissertation Fellowship Program is designed to address the underrepresentation of African American and Hispanic faculty at colleges and universities in the State of Florida by increasing the pool of citizens qualified with Ph.D. degrees to teach at the college and university levels.
The Award:
The Dissertation Fellowship provides up to one year of support to individuals working to complete dissertations in STEM disciplines. Awards will be made to individuals who, in the judgment of the selection committee, have demonstrated superior academic achievement, are committed to careers in teaching and research at the college or university level, and demonstrate strong commitment to community service. Each award will provide a stipend of up to $12,000 in addition to expenses paid to participate in the McKnight Summer Research and Writing Institute and all other McKnight doctoral conferences and workshops during the award year.
Eligibility:
An applicant must be an African American or Hispanic U.S. citizen who has successfully defended his/her dissertation proposal or prospectus and advanced to doctoral candidacy and who will be enrolled in dissertation credit hours and maintain good academic standing as defined by his or her university during the award year. Current or former McKnight Doctoral Fellowship recipients may not apply.
Application:
Each applicant must submit the online Fellowship application form and email or mail the curriculum vitae and Dissertation Completion Schedule requested below to FEF to mdf@fefonline.org or to 201 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1525, Tampa, FL 33602. The application and all documentation requested below must be received by June 8, 2023. In addition to completing the online application form, each applicant must:
- Submit by email or mail a curriculum vitae (CV);
- Submit by email or mail a schedule for completing the dissertation (Dissertation Completion Schedule), showing estimated dates by which sub-tasks will be completed and the planned date of graduation. This Dissertation Completion Schedule must be endorsed in the letter of support from the applicant's dissertation chair or advisor; and
- Request that his/her dissertation chair or advisor submit, by mail to 201 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1525, Tampa, FL 33602 or by email from the chair's or advisor's email address to mdf@fefonline.org, the Dissertation Fellowship Program Recommendation Form (download here) and a letter of support.
Conditions of Fellowship:
Each Dissertation Fellowship recipient must agree to the stipulations in the award agreement (download sample here) that will accompany the Fellowship award letter, which include the obligation to regularly update the Fellow's program directory information and complete periodic surveys as requested by FEF.
Inquiries:
Direct Fellowship inquiries to Charles Jackson, Program Manager, at 813-272-2772 or mdf@fefonline.org.
Notice of Awards:
Recipients of Dissertation Fellowships will be notified via electronic mail. To ensure timely notification, each applicant must include a complete and accurate e-mail address in the online application.