Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award
- Eligibility
- Selection Criteria
- Award Amount
- Nomination
- Deadline
- How to Apply
- Application Guidelines
- Contact Us
The Dean's Distinguished Dissertation Award recognizes the highest level of graduate student scholarship at UNC Chapel Hill, highlighting the original and innovative work of our doctoral candidates and graduates.
There is one award in each of four broad fields:
Biological & Life Sciences
biology; botany; zoology; ecology; embryology; entomology; genetics; nutrition; plant pathology; plant physiology; anatomy; biochemistry; biophysics; microbiology; pathology; pharmacology; physiology; and related fields. Also included are agriculture, forestry, and related fields
Humanities & Fine Arts
history; philosophy; language; linguistics; literature; archaeology; jurisprudence; the history, theory and criticism of the arts; ethics; comparative religion; and those aspects of the social sciences that employ historical or philosophical approaches.
Mathematics, Physical Sciences & Engineering
Mathematics: mathematics, statistics, computer sciences, data processing, systems analysis
Physical Sciences: chemistry, earth sciences, physics, geology, meteorology, astronomy, metallurgy, geophysics, pharmaceutical chemistry
Engineering: aeronautical, architectural, biomedical, ceramic, chemical, civil, and electrical engineering sciences; environmental health engineering; geological, mechanical, mining, nuclear, and petroleum engineering
Social Sciences
agricultural economics, geography, anthropology, archaeology, economics, education, sociology, government (political science), demography, and psychology
Please note that the program lists for each broad field have been defined by the Council of Graduate Schools for their competition. They are non-inclusive, and applicants should choose the field they feel is the best fit for their dissertation research.
Awardees receive a cash award and are recognized at the Annual Graduate Student Recognition Celebration. The Graduate School may nominate two awardees each year for the national CGS/Proquest Distinguished Dissertation Award.
Eligibility
Current doctoral students and recent graduates (with a graduation date between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2025)
Selection Criteria
- Academic Record
- Originality
- Readability
- Research Design
- Research Significance
- Time to degree
View an in-depth description of the review and selection process.
Award Amount
Awardees will receive special recognition at the annual Graduate Student Recognition event, along with a cash award of $1,000 and a plaque.
Nomination
Each department may nominate one student per year.
Deadline
Deadlines are posted on the funding deadlines calendar.
How to Apply
- Please check with your department for their internal deadline. You must complete your application early enough for your department to nominate you to The Graduate School by the deadline.
- Prepare a dissertation summary, long-term interest, research contribution statement, and curriculum vitae. Arrange for two letters of recommendation.
- View Frequently Asked Questions about the online application.
Submit your materials to the Graduate School Award Online Application. Once you submit your application, your recommenders will receive an email asking them to submit a letter via the online system. - Once your application and letters of recommendation have been submitted, your department may nominate you for the fellowship. If your department selects your application, they must nominate it to The Graduate School by the deadline.
- We will notify awardees in January.
Application Guidelines
Your application will not be considered if you exceed any of the specified page limits or if you do not follow the proper format.
A complete application includes:
- Online Application
- Dissertation Summary
- Long-Term Interest Statement
- Research Contribution Statement
- C.V.
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
Dissertation Summary
Format: No more than 5 pages. Double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, numbered pages, and your name on each page
- Address your dissertation summary to an audience of reviewers who may not be familiar with your field
- Include all appropriate details necessary for judging the quality of your research
- Appendices containing nontextual material, such as charts or tables, may be included as additional pages
Long-term Interest Statement:
Format: No more than one page. Double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, numbered pages, and your name on each page
- Describe your long-term interest or vision for your career (i.e. where you plan to go with the research)
Research Contribution Statement:
Format: No more than one page. Double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, numbered pages, and your name on each page
- Describe your contribution to the field
Curriculum Vitae:
Format: No more than five pages. 12-point font, 1-inch margins, numbered pages, and your name on each page
- Educational and professional achievements
- Degrees or certificates received
- Research publications/presentations
- Awards for achievement or service
- Recent grants or scholarships
Two Letters of Recommendation:
- You will need two letters of recommendation evaluating the significance and quality of the dissertation project. One letter must be from your dissertation advisor.
Contact Us
Graduate School Fellowships Office
gradfunding@unc.edu