Graduate School

Doctoral Finishing Fellowships Application Procedures

Each semester, the Graduate School anticipates awarding Finishing Fellowships that provide support to PhD candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in The Michigan Tech Plan. The Graduate School anticipates funding fellowships each semester with full support (minimum stipend + tuition) or partial support depending on the financial need of the student. Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

View Past Recipients

Eligibility

Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD student.
  2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a finishing fellow.
  3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a finishing fellowship.
  4. Must be eligible forcandidacy at the time of application.
  5. Must not hold a final oral examination ("defense") prior to the start of the award semester.

Previous recipients of a Finishing Fellowship are not eligible to reapply.

Application Procedure

Nominations for Finishing Fellowships will be accepted each fall semester, spring semester, and summer session, for funding in the next semester, pending availability of funds. 

Nominations for fall 2026 Finishing Fellowships will be accepted beginning May 4, 2026. Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. on June 10, 2026.

Students and their advisor(s) must submit the application files described below as a single, static PDF file to our google submission form.

Student Application

Student applicants will create one PDF file and submit it to our google form. The PDF file must contain:

  1. A complete application form. Please use Microsoft Word on a PC or Mac to complete the form.
  2. A one- or two- page CV.

Advisor Reference

The student's advisor(s)* will:

  1. Complete the Finishing Fellowship Reference form using Microsoft Word on a PC or Mac.
  2. Submit the Finishing Fellowship Reference form as a PDF file to our google form.

    *If there are co-advisors, each advisor may complete their own form, or a single form can be submitted to our google form.

The Finishing Fellowship Reference form has the following prompts:

  1. Please provide concrete information indicating what portion of the research and writing has been completed. If the applicant has multiple first author papers submitted or in print, describe why additional time is needed to complete the dissertation.
  2. Please address the likelihood of the applicant finishing the PhD during the funding period. If the applicant has no first author papers submitted or in print, explain how they will be able to complete their dissertation in the next semester.
  3. Please describe the scholarly contribution of the applicant to published articles and describe the impact of the publications in the field (for example, journal impact factor within the field) so that a panel of faculty from across the University can understand the impact and significance of the research.
  4. Please describe the financial need of the candidate and the funds requested for the candidate, including any personal or professional extenuating circumstances and describe how the student has been funded to date (external, internal, or self-funded).
  5. (Optional) Provide any additional information about the merit of the applicant that is not included above.

Evaluation

The applications will be evaluated by a panel of faculty representing each of Michigan Tech's Colleges. Applications will be evaluated on:

  1. The impact and significance of the research.
  2. The candidate's contributions toward The Michigan Tech Plan now and their potential to make contributions in the future.
  3. The likelihood of finishing during the funding period.
  4. The applicant's need for financial support.

Notification

All applicants will be notified of the panel's decision within three weeks of the due date.

Recipients

Recipients will be asked to:

  • Write a thank-you note to the sponsor of their fellowship (required if applicable).
  • Have a photograph taken by a University photographer or provide a photograph.
  • Write a personal statement.

The photograph and personal statement will be used by Michigan Tech to promote its outstanding graduate students. The photograph and personal statement may be included on the Graduate School's webpage or other press releases. Students may request to be excluded from inclusion on the webpage or other press releases.