Deadline
Complete applications are due by 11:59pm on Friday of week 2 of each term.
Applicants will be notified by Friday of week 5.
Overview
Funded by the Division of Graduate Studies and in part by the Gary E. Smith Foundation, this award is designed to support outstanding graduate students pursuing professional development or training enrichment activities that would provide (a) unique opportunities not normally available as part of the degree program; (b) intensive, focused development in a particular professional skill area; and (c) will advance the student’s progress toward graduation and/or career goals.
Award Details
- Up to $2,000 will be awarded to each student. Available funds are limited each term.
- After the end of the term, all awardees may receive a follow-up survey confirming the use of the funds and asking about their experience. The Division of Graduate Studies may use this information to improve future funding opportunities and/or feature awardees on their website or social media.
Eligibility and Criteria
- Master's, doctoral, and law students
- Must be a full-time student
This award is designed to support outstanding graduate and law students pursuing professional development or training enrichment activities that would provide (a) unique opportunities not normally available as part of the degree program; (b) intensive, focused development in a particular professional skill area; and (c) will advance the student’s progress toward graduation and/or career goals.
- Examples of professional development activities and expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Registration for and travel to a specialized/immersion training
- Registration for a writing workshop
- Networking opportunities at conferences
- Consultation or tutoring services related to writing for publication or statistics
- Purchase of unique and specialized materials needed to advance professional development
- Intensive language training not available at the UO
- Training or seminars related to the use of specialized lab equipment
- Unique performance techniques or new research methodologies
- Field or career-specific instructor/facilitator training or certifications
- This award is not meant to contribute to the completion of a course assignment, a course requirement or a university program/degree requirement.
Application
Applicants must apply online. The online application includes:
- A statement of 500 words or less summarizing your proposed professional development or training enrichment activities. The statement should explain why this is a unique opportunity and how it will advance your career goals.
- A simple budget for your proposed activity.
- Recommendations from 2 faculty members:
- Enter recommenders' contact information on the application. They will receive an email with a link to provide their recommendations.
- One letter from your primary faculty advisor.
- One letter from another UO faculty member.
- The letters must evaluate the activity you proposed, and must address how this specific activity will contribute to your professional development.
- Both letters must be received by the deadline date.
Note: Once you are logged in to the Scholarship Dashboard, hover over "Opportunities" and select "Specialty Awards" to find the Professional Development Graduate Scholarship.
For more information, please contact the Division of Graduate Studies.
Graduate Students with Financial Aid
Receiving this award may reduce your financial aid award. Please contact the Financial Aid Office prior to applying for this (and any other type of) support.
You may apply for this award regardless of immigration status or work eligibility.