CLA Dean's Graduate Fellowship Program

The CLA Dean’s Graduate Fellowship program is designed to elevate research and creative endeavor in the College of Liberal Arts. The graduate fellows are expected to contribute to the strategic effort of the College to support excellence in research at all levels. These high-level, highly-competitive graduate fellowships recruit top-flight graduate students to work alongside - and in support of - faculty whose scholarship will elevate the research profile of the College and contribute to important campus AAU metrics.

 

• Stipend of $38,000 per year (AY) for 6 years 
• Three years of fellowship (no work commitment) and 3 years of Graduate Assistanceship (RA/TA) 
• $5,000 per year for support of travel and research

GRE scores are strongly encouraged, and successful candidates typically score in the 90th percentile or higher. In addition, successful candidates demonstrate evidence of exceptional qualifications and prospects for a steady and early stream of publications and engagement with the research community that may lead to AAU professorial careers. Prior work with leading researchers, labs, or projects with tangible outcomes is expected. 

 

Departments must submit extra-mural grants totaling least $750,000.00 over a three-year rolling period to be eligible to nominate students to the competition. A small number of candidates will be selected yearly by the CLA Dean based on proposals submitted by CLA Department Heads.

 

By early February, qualifying departments should indicate - in the spreadsheet containing the names of all the candidates for admission for that cycle - one or two candidates suitable for the CLA Dean's fellowship. The spreadsheet will be emailed to the departments by the CLA Office of Research and Graduate Education.

 

Approved candidacies may be submitted via Infoready (link provided in email), which should include the following: the student's Graduate Application file in PDF format, their Curriculum Vitae, Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, Transcripts, and their GRE score.

 

A two-page Candidacy Justification signed by the Graduate Director and the Department Head should also be included in the PDF. It should explain how the chosen topic of study, research potential, prior research record, and special individual characteristics (work ethic, maturity, dedication to research) anticipate future success that may justify the award.

 

The deadline for application/nomination is as soon as possible after the CLA Dean's Office recommends the submission via InfoReady. CLA departments are encouraged to recruit broadly and directly for the program, advertising its scope, goals, and support mechanisms.

 

For administrative details, please contact Mike Hicks, CLA Grants Coordinator, at mahicks@purdue.edu. For broader, programmatic questions, contact Dr. Sorin Adam Matei, CLA Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education, at cla-adr@purdue.edu.