Apply for the PMGSE and Research Fellowship Awards
Written by Chris Pasion, graduate assistant to The Graduate School.
Each year, Graduate Student Government (GSG) honors exemplary students and researchers with the Presidential Medal of Graduate Student Excellence Award (PMGSE) and the Research Fellowship Awards. Chan, the GSG’s vice president, says, “Supporting our graduate students and providing community and resources to them is our driving force. The awards GSG offers are a big part of this, and we are very proud of how they've been developed. We hope to see plenty of applicants this year.”
Now is the time to submit your applications for these prestigious and valuable awards – read on to learn more!
The PMGSE Award recognizes graduate student excellence in those exhibiting leadership, scholarship, service, and character. This award was established in 2017 and is granted by the university president, with recipients being recognized at commencement.
To be considered for the PMGSE award, applicants must complete the PMGSE application form, which entails writing an essay of four typed, double-spaced pages, as well as submitting a resume, CV, and at least two letters of recommendation from faculty, staff, or administration. Visit the PMGSE webpage to learn more about the award criteria and expectations of the application.
The deadline to submit your application and nomination forms is Tuesday, December 8, 2020 by 5pm.
In addition to the PMGSE award, the GSG is supporting graduate student research with the Research Fellowship Awards. While research looks different for many this year, with travel being on hold and conferences being held remotely, the GSG hopes to continue its support of students with these fellowships. The award, which grants up to $1,200 – or $1,500 for interdisciplinary and diversity-advancing projects – is in place to alleviate the financial barriers associated with attending conferences, workshops, performances, exhibitions, and so on.
Applicants must complete a statement of purpose that outlines how their research contributes to the field and fills a gap in the current scholarship (three double-spaced pages), as well as submit a CV, proof of enrollment, letter of recommendation, and a few other documents that are included on the application page.
“We need to do more to support graduate research, and also take time to recognize our colleagues, who have worked extremely hard, and bring prestige to our community,” Chan says. “We need to let them know that we see them toiling away in their offices and labs, and we want to shout our encouragement from the rooftops.” Visit the Research Fellowship Awards webpage to learn more about the award and to apply.
The deadline to submit your application is Friday, December 4, 2020 by 5pm.