Awards

GSA Brennan Summer Fellowship Awards

General Info

Awards are given out annually. For each award, applicants must demonstrate how the award will facilitate the examination preparation, writing, or research process in a manner that could not be met through another funding source, such as employment or an existing fellowship or assistantship.  All applications require the listing of any and all alternative sources of funding, which will be taken into account by the judging committee.  Falsification of this disclosure will result in revocation of any funding awarded under this program.  Because the number of awards is limited and the application process is competitive, those applicants with the most urgent needs and the most clearly stated research/writing goals will be chosen.   

Each award may be received only one time during a student’s academic career at St. Louis University.

Application deadline: TBA - Check back after January 2009 for updated information.

Award Categories

Fellowship for Exam Prep - $500 Award (2)
To receive the Fellowship for Exam Prep, the student must have completed the coursework for the degree and be scheduled to take the comprehensive exams for his/her degree no later than an October date (set each spring). The Dept Chair or Advisor must include the date of the student’s scheduled exams in their recommendation letter.   If the exam date requirement is not met, the application will be disallowed.  The GSA recognizes that the procedural requirements concerning exam schedules vary from department to department – to that end, the applicant must provide a signed letter from the department chair stating that the student is in the process of preparing for exams and that all pre-requisite conditions have been met.  Additionally, the applicants will be asked to briefly describe the exam process in their respective departments.   

Fellowship for Thesis - $1000 Award (2)
To receive the Fellowship for Thesis Research, the applicant must be advanced to candidacy within the Graduate School and have completed all the prerequisites to reach the thesis phase prior to the application deadline.  The GSA recognizes that the procedural requirements concerning the thesis vary from department to department - to that end, the applicant must provide a signed letter from the department chair stating that the student is in the process of preparing the thesis and that all pre-requisite conditions have been met.  The $1000 award is to cover research/writing expenses for the summer months only (May 1-September 1).  The applicant must clearly demonstrate that the funds cannot be received from other sources, and that the purpose of the funding (e.g. travel for research) cannot be accomplished through other means.  This is not an award intended for those who are still formulating their thesis proposals, but rather for those in the midst of their research.  This award may not be used to pay for expenses resulting from conference attendance.

Fellowship for Dissertation - $2000 Award (2)

To receive the Award for Dissertation Research, the applicant must be advanced to candidacy within the Graduate School prior to the application deadline.  The GSA recognizes that the procedural requirements concerning the thesis vary from department to department - to that end, the applicant must provide a signed letter from the department chair stating that the student is in the process of preparing the dissertation and that all pre-requisite conditions have been met.  The $2000 award is to cover research/writing expenses for the summer months only (June-August).  The applicant must clearly demonstrate that the funds cannot be received from other sources and the purpose of the funding (e.g. travel for research) cannot be accomplished through other means.  This award may not be used to pay for expenses resulting from conference attendance.

Other Awards

Graduate Teaching Award – This award is intended for a graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, either as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or as the primary instructor of a course.  Students or professors who have observed the instructor in the teaching sector may make nominations.  Nominators will be asked to provide a typed letter indicating how the nominee has performed above others in the classroom.

Service Award – This award is intended for a graduate student who has demonstrated a high level of service to their department and/or the university community.  Nominators will be asked to provide a typed letter describing the nominee’s commitment to the university.

Mentorship Award – This award is intended for a professor who has inspired students and enhanced students’ graduate education.  Nominators will be asked to provide a typed letter indicating the ways in which the nominee has improved students’ graduate careers.