College Fellowships and Awards

Thanks to the generous support of many alumni and friends, the college is pleased to offer the following fellowships and awards for CMNS graduate students:

  • ARCS Foundation Endowment Scholar Awards & ARCS/MWC Chapter Awards
  • Amit and Ruchi Mehta Graduate Research Award
  • Board of Visitors Oustanding Graduate Student Award
  • Graduate Student Training and Education Fund

Eligibility Requirements & Timeline

ARCS Foundation Endowment Scholar Awards & ARCS/MWC Chapter Awards

Every fall, the Metropolitan Washington Chapter of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) announces funding for the new academic year via an RFP. ARCS Endowment Scholar Awards are $15,000 per academic year.

ARCS requests applications from one graduate student in specific fields of study, e.g. chemistry, computer science, physics, etc. Department Chairs and Graduate directors are invited to submit their program’s top nominees to Irene Lukoff, director of development for CMNS, who then submits our college’s application to ARCS.

Endowment Award scholars are selected on the basis of merit, as well as community leadership and service. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. The Endowment Award announcements are made in February. Applicants not selected for the Endowment Award can be resubmitted for the ARCS/MWC Chapter Awards. Application packets for the Chapter Awards are sent out in early February.

Amit and Ruchi Mehta Graduate Research Award

Amit '96 and Ruchi '00 Mehta established The Amit and Ruchi Mehta Graduate Research Award to support graduate students in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) who have existing international experience and a desire to serve the broader international community upon graduation. The award amount is $5,000.

Recipients will be selected on the basis of enrollment in a graduate program in CMNS, a background of existing international education experience, and a desire to serve the broader international community upon graduation. Preference will be given to students who intend to pursue alternative careers combining science with business and/or law.

Graduate directors will be contacted every January and invited to submit nominations to the Associate Dean for Graduate Education. Nominations should include a letter of recommendation from the graduate director or a faculty member, a 2-page statement from the candidate, and a 2-page CV. Winners will be selected in the spring.

Board of Visitors Outstanding Graduate Student Award

The CMNS Board of Visitors Outstanding Graduate Student Award is given annually, as funds are available, to a doctoral student who has advanced to candidacy and demonstrated scholarly and research excellence in their field. Every spring, graduate directors are asked to nominate one student for consideration. Applicant credentials are reviewed by board members, who cast a vote for their choice.

Graduate Student Training and Education Fund

Funds may be requested for travel to present research results at a national or international meeting. When properly justified, funds may be awarded to take special courses or workshops that provide training that is not available on campus or in the immediate vicinity. Students can only apply once per year by October 1 or April 1. 

Students should apply before attending a conference. In most circumstances, each award will be limited to a maximum of 50% of the total travel costs. Advisors (or other sources) are expected to cover remaining costs.  Awards can only be used for travel, accommodation or registration fees. In the event of insufficient funds to support all applications, the following factors will be used in selecting recipients: value of attendance for career advancement, degree sought (Ph.D. students given priority), seniority in program and receipt of previous travel awards. 

Application Process:

  1. Download and complete a Travel Award Application form and submit it by October 1 or April 1. The justification should explain how presenting research findings at this particular conference will help your career goals. If the proposal is for a course, justification for taking the course must be provided.
  2. The applicant should indicate if matching funds are available from the advisor(s) or other sources.
  3. All previous travel awards from campus sources must be listed, including the amount received.
  4. The entire application must be in a single PDF file, either signed electronically by the advisor or signed by hand and then scanned into a PDF file. All applications must be submitted electronically to lholder@umd.edu.
  5. If awarded, a travel request must be submitted to the business office prior to travel commencing in order to be eligible for receipt of travel funds. Original receipts are required to obtain expense reimbursement.

Questions

Students who have additional questions about college fellowships and awards should direct email inquiries to the Associate Dean for Graduate Education.


Department Fellowships and Awards

In addition to the above graduate fellowships that are administered at the college level, many departments in CMNS have additional fellowship and award opportunities available for students. We encourage you to visit your program's website to learn more about the eligibility requirements and timeline and to apply.