The GPSS Dissertation Study Support Award was created to assist Iowa State University doctoral candidates who have reached All But Dissertation (ABD) status. This one-time award provides up to $300 per student, based on demonstrated need and the availability of funds. The award reflects GPSS's commitment to reducing financial barriers to graduate education and supporting students in the final stages of their degree.
Selected recipients will be notified via email with further instructions. Awards are reviewed for disbursement on the 30th of each month. Please note that it may take up to two weeks for funds to appear on your U-Bill or in your bank account, and processing may take longer when the university is on break.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for this award, applicants must:
- Be a doctoral student at Iowa State University in good academic standing.
- Have achieved ABD (All But Dissertation) status.
- Have received IRB approval for their dissertation research, if IRB approval is required for the proposed use of funds. IRB approval must be confirmed before funds can be awarded.
- Demonstrate that the requested funding is not already covered by advisor funds, departmental support, fellowships, or existing research grants.
- Submit a completed application form before the application deadline.
Required Materials
To complete the application, applicants will need to provide:
- Confirmation of ABD status (e.g., a letter or email from an advisor).
- Confirmation of IRB approval, if applicable.
- A brief statement of need explaining how the funding will support the applicant's dissertation.
- A proposed budget outlining how the $300 will be used (e.g., participant incentives, transcription, data collection, or other dissertation-related expenses).
- A completed application form, here.
Award Amount
- Each selected applicant will receive a one-time award of $300.
- Awards will be distributed until funds are exhausted, with a total of $80,000 allocated over two years ($40,000 per year).
Timeline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Awards are reviewed on the 30th of each month, and decisions are announced during the first week of the following month.
The program will operate for two years, after which GPSS will assess its effectiveness and determine whether it should be continued as a permanent initiative.