Graduate School at UMBC

Dissertation Fellowship Fall 2026 

Application Deadline: Friday, July 10, 2026

Overview: The UMBC Dissertation Fellowship provides promising doctoral candidates with the financial support necessary to focus on writing and completing their dissertations. This fellowship grants students the critical time and resources needed to expedite the final stages of their degree.

Eligibility & Conditions:

Except in extraordinary circumstances, these awards are limited to one term per student. To be considered, Ph.D. candidates must be in good academic standing. Additionally, they must have:

●        No other financial support: This fellowship is strictly for students who do not have UMBC-administered financial support (such as an assistantship) during the fall term. Note: Funding status will be verified prior to application review and applicants with a GA contract through fall 2026 will not be reviewed.

●        Time to commit and focus on writing: Recipients must commit at least 20 hours per week exclusively to dissertation writing for the entire fall term. No other work assignments, besides dissertation writing, may be associated with this fellowship.

Award Details (Fall 2026):

The fellowship is awarded for the summer term only and includes:

●      A maximum stipend of $12,500.

●      Tuition remission for 9 credits of course 899 (billed at 2 credits). Please note: The university provides tuition remission for the cost of 899 tuition only. Fellowship recipients are required to pay all mandatory fees associated with 899 registration.

Selection Criteria:

A committee selected by the Graduate School Leadership Team will review applications. Priority will be given to students who demonstrate that this award will provide the critical support needed to complete their writing, finalize revisions, and successfully defend their dissertation within the fellowship period (by the end of the fall term). Selection is based heavily on the applicant's readiness to finish, and the quality and feasibility of their management plan.

Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following documentation as a single PDF:

1. Fill out the application form with your information (attached).

2. Letter of Support from the Chair of the Dissertation Committee that:

○      Describes the current state of the dissertation and the probable impact of the Fellowship on the student's progress.

○      Verifies that no UMBC-administered financial support is available for the student.

     3. Management Plan (1–2 pages), written by the applicant and signed by the Chair of the Dissertation Committee. This must describe the dissertation format (regular or 3-essay/paper), status of the dissertation work, remaining steps, and a timeline for completion of those steps.

    4. Research Abstract for Lay Audience (maximum 1 page), written by the applicant in plain language for a non-expert audience, describing their research and its relevance.

    5. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (most recent version). Example of CV.

    6. Employer Documentation(if applicable): If employed outside the university, written evidence from the employer indicating a willingness to reduce the student's job hours and duties during the fellowship.

   7. Optional Statement: A brief response to the prompt: "Is there anything else you would like the committee to know about your situation and the need for a Dissertation Fellowship?"

Submission & Deadlines

●        Deadline: Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, July 10, 2026.

●        How to Apply: Email your completed application as a single PDF to dissertationfellowship@umbc.edu.

●        Notification: Recipients will be announced by Friday, July 31, 2026.

The application is attached.

University System of Maryland (USM) Dissertation House at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute – August 13-15, 2015

The University of Maryland, Baltimore  and PROMISE Maryland’s AGEP are sponsoring a system-wide Dissertation House for graduate students in STEM programs.  The writing and research retreat will take place at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve.   Lodging for 2 nights and meals are provided for student participants.   Twelve students from the USM system schools will be chosen to participate in this research and writing retreat.  http://www.thehotelarundel.com/

 2015 PROMISE SSI Dissertation House Schedule:

• Thursday 8/13, 3:00 PM Hotel Check-in
• Thursday 8/13, 5:00 PM Dissertation House Opening Session, Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale (Dissertation Coach) 
• Thursday 8/13, 6 PM – 7 PM:  Dinner Meeting
• Thursday 8/13, 7 PM – 12 midnight: Work Session #1
• Friday 8/14, 8 AM – 9 AM: Breakfast
• Friday 8/14, 9 AM – 9:15 AM: Welcome – Dr. Erin Golembewski (UMB)
• Friday 8/14, 9:15 AM – 10 AM: Mini Lecture –  Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale
• Friday 8/14, 10 AM – 12 noon: Work Session #2
• Friday 8/14, 12 PM – 1PM: Working Lunch
• Friday 8/14, 1 PM – 2PM: “Writing Lab” Seminar with Clancy Clawson of the UMB Writing Center
• Friday 8/14, 2 PM – 6  PM Work Session #3
• Friday 8/14, 6 PM – 7  PM Dinner Meeting
• Friday 8/14, 7 PM -12 midnight Work Session #4
• Saturday 8/15, 8 AM – 3 PM: PROMISE Summer Success Institute Program, includes #ThinkBigDiversity breakout session for “Continuing Students.”
• Saturday 8/15, HOTEL Late checkout (time TBA)

OPTIONS

• SSI Suite – Hotel at Arundel Preserve: Friday 8/14, 8:30PM – 10 PM: Sisters in the Dissertation House Book Discussion & Dessert Session –  Optional DH activity, part of the PROMISE SSI, open to others outside of the DH event (sponsored by the PROMISE AGEP, with DH Alumni Dr. Jennifer Bacon and Dr. Shanna Smith)
• Students who want to stay until Sunday are encouraged to book an extra night on their own for a Saturday night – Sunday stay: Guests can call the hotel’s main line and reference “PROMISE AGEP SSI 2015” or group code “3065” to book remaining group discounted rates: 410-796-9830, http://hotelarundel.com/
• Anyone who stays Saturday-Sunday will have the option to have additional one-on-one, or small group mentoring sessions with Dr. Renetta Tull, PROMISE Director. 

Eligibility for the SSI Dissertation House:

1) Enrolled in a STEM graduate program (based on the NSF-supported fields per the NSFGRFP) at one of the schools within the University System of Maryland

2) Underrepresented according to the NSF Definition for AGEP, U.S. Citizen

Per NSF.gov: AGEP is committed to the national goal of increasing the numbers of underrepresented minorities (URMs), including those with disabilities, entering and completing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate education and postdoctoral training to levels representative of the available pool. URMs include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.

This event is part of the 2015 PROMISE Summer Success Institute. Following the Dissertation House (DH) sessions on Thursday and Friday, all DH participants will be required to continue participation in the PROMISE SSI on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve:

https://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2015/03/31/promise-summer-success-institute-ssi-august-15-2015/

All 12 participants will check in on Thursday, and check out on Saturday.

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TO APPLY: Follow the instructions outlined on the application page: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/

DEADLINE: Friday, July 24, 2015

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The host for the 2015 USM-wide Dissertation House will be the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB).

UMB’s Sr. Associate Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Erin Golembewski, and the team from UMB (Coordinator –  LaNette Parson, Writing Center Coordinator – Clancy Clawson) welcome applicants from around the state to UMB’s 2015 PROMISE Dissertation House. As part of the PROMISE SSI Dissertation House structure, complimentary hotel lodging will be provided for DH participants. Students from western Maryland and the Eastern Shore, e.g., Frostburg University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Salisbury University, are particularly encouraged to participate. Learn more about PROMISE at UMB:

http://www.graduate.umaryland.edu/Current-Students/PROMISE-Program/

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Dissertation Coach: Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale

At 9:00 AM EST, we opened the Winter 2015 Dissertation House at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC: An Honors University in Maryland). We have a wonderful group of students from UMBC and UMB in house, and we invite you to join us. Our Dissertation Coach is Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale. Dr. Carter-Veale is challenging the group to post “measurable” goals, and she urges everyone to be realistic so that each can accomplish an actual goal by the end of the week. Some people think that they will be able to accomplish huge tasks in a short period of time, and while you will be productive, we want to be sure that you are setting yourselves up for success. Therefore, it is not necessarily prudent to try to finish such a large task within a few days.

Graduate students who are participating in the Dissertation House here at UMBC had to apply to participate. If you are not participating in person, we invite you to join us online:

https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-2015-challenge/

Post your goals and join others in the challenge to “get it done!”

At 9:00 AM EST, we opened the Winter 2015 Dissertation House at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC: An Honors University in Maryland). We have a wonderful group of students from UMBC and UMB in house, and we invite you to join us. Our Dissertation Coach is Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale. Dr. Carter-Veale is challenging the group to post “measurable” goals, and she urges everyone to be realistic so that each can accomplish an actual goal by the end of the week. Some people think that they will be able to accomplish huge tasks in a short period of time, and while you will be productive, we want to be sure that you are setting yourselves up for success. Therefore, it is not necessarily prudent to try to finish such a large task within a few days.

Graduate students who are participating in the Dissertation House here at UMBC had to apply to participate. If you are not participating in person, we invite you to join us online:

https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-2015-challenge/

Post your goals and join others in the challenge to “get it done!”

University System of Maryland (USM) Dissertation House at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute – August 14-15, 2014

The University of Maryland, College Park  and PROMISE Maryland’s AGEP are sponsoring a system-wide Dissertation House for graduate students in STEM programs.  The writing and research retreat will take place at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve.   Lodging for 2 nights and meals are provided for student participants.   Twelve students from the USM system schools will be chosen to participate in this research and writing retreat.  http://www.thehotelarundel.com/

 2014 PROMISE SSI Dissertation House Schedule:

• 8/14  6-9 pm  Introduction to DH, Dinner Meeting
• 8/14 9-11  pm Work Session
• 8/15  9-6  pm DH Sessions, Work Session, Breakfast and Lunch
• 8/15 6-8 pm Dinner Meeting
• 8/15 9-11 pm Work Session

Eligibility for the SSI Dissertation House:

STEM Graduate Program, URM according to the NSF Definition for AGEP, U.S. Citizen

Per NSF.gov: AGEP is committed to the national goal of increasing the numbers of underrepresented minorities (URMs), including those with disabilities, entering and completing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate education and postdoctoral training to levels representative of the available pool. URMs include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.

This event is part of the PROMISE Summer Success Institute. Following the Dissertation House sessions on Thursday and Friday, all participants will be required to continue participation in the PROMISE SSI on Saturday, August 16 at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve: http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2014/07/10/promise_ssi_2014/

University System of Maryland (USM) Dissertation House at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute – August 14-15, 2014

The University of Maryland, College Park  and PROMISE Maryland’s AGEP are sponsoring a system-wide Dissertation House for graduate students in STEM programs.  The writing and research retreat will take place at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve.   Lodging for 2 nights and meals are provided for student participants.   Twelve students from the USM system schools will be chosen to participate in this research and writing retreat.  http://www.thehotelarundel.com/

 2014 PROMISE SSI Dissertation House Schedule:

• 8/14  6-9 pm  Introduction to DH, Dinner Meeting
• 8/14 9-11  pm Work Session
• 8/15  9-6  pm DH Sessions, Work Session, Breakfast and Lunch
• 8/15 6-8 pm Dinner Meeting
• 8/15 9-11 pm Work Session

Eligibility for the SSI Dissertation House:

STEM Graduate Program, URM according to the NSF Definition for AGEP, U.S. Citizen

Per NSF.gov: AGEP is committed to the national goal of increasing the numbers of underrepresented minorities (URMs), including those with disabilities, entering and completing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate education and postdoctoral training to levels representative of the available pool. URMs include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.

This event is part of the PROMISE Summer Success Institute. Following the Dissertation House sessions on Thursday and Friday, all participants will be required to continue participation in the PROMISE SSI on Saturday, August 16 at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve: http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2014/07/10/promise_ssi_2014/

Join us for the Winter Dissertation House at UMBC.  Applications are due by December 14, 2012.

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If you are a Graduate Student at UMBC, and if you are working on your  graduate school courses, proposal, or dissertation, then this event is for you!The on-campus setting provides Dissertation House participants with productive and rewarding scholastic engagement. Students who participate in this program will spend each day thinking, writing, and sharing ideas about their doctoral dissertations. Students will learn effective time-management skills; learn how to set small manageable goals, and will meet with a dissertation coach in one-on-one consultations to discuss and address obstacles that might prevent them completing their degrees.This is a weekday (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., non-residential) commitment set for the week of Tuesday, January 22 – Friday, January 25, 2013.This information and other details about the Dissertation House can be found on: http://www.thedissertationhouse.com

Students from other schools within the University System of Maryland may apply and will be considered if there are spaces available. 

____________________________________________

Applications Due:  Friday, December 14, 2012 (Extended and Final Deadline!)RSVP  on MyUMBC by clicking “I can attend” here:  http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/14797

AND follow the link below for Applications Procedures.
http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/

Join us for the Winter Dissertation House at UMBC.  Applications are due by December 14, 2012.

---

If you are a Graduate Student at UMBC, and if you are working on your  graduate school courses, proposal, or dissertation, then this event is for you!The on-campus setting provides Dissertation House participants with productive and rewarding scholastic engagement. Students who participate in this program will spend each day thinking, writing, and sharing ideas about their doctoral dissertations. Students will learn effective time-management skills; learn how to set small manageable goals, and will meet with a dissertation coach in one-on-one consultations to discuss and address obstacles that might prevent them completing their degrees.This is a weekday (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., non-residential) commitment set for the week of Tuesday, January 22 – Friday, January 25, 2013.This information and other details about the Dissertation House can be found on: http://www.thedissertationhouse.com

Students from other schools within the University System of Maryland may apply and will be considered if there are spaces available. 

____________________________________________

Applications Due:  Friday, December 14, 2012 (Extended and Final Deadline!)RSVP  on MyUMBC by clicking “I can attend” here:  http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/14797

AND follow the link below for Applications Procedures.
http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/

This morning’s Dissertation House mini-lecture focuses on Overcoming Writer’s Block. This morning, Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale, Dissertation Coach, is discussing tips for moving past mere thoughts and blockages. The theme for the morning is to “start writing!” The founders of the PROMISE Dissertation House in Maryland have worked with many students over the years. It is important to note that thousands of lines of code, tons of great experiments, and hundreds of great ideas don’t mean anything to the dissertation completion process if you’re not writing. Remember that you will not graduate unless you complete the written document. Conference presentations, e.g. power point slides, are not enough! One alum told us that he used to transfer everything from his presentation power point slides to a word document. Other people go to a particular place to write where they know that they will be able to get right into their document without distractions. Find the process that works for you, but stop the excuses and just write.