Overview
The purpose of the Promising Scholar Award is to recruit highly qualified incoming doctoral graduate students from diverse backgrounds who enhance and advance the academic and research excellence of the university.
The award is administered by the Division of Graduate Studies in partnership with programs, schools and colleges, and the Office of the Provost to leverage our collective resources in support of our shared goals to increase the number of outstanding UO graduate students of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
2024-25 Promising Scholar Award Recipients
Eighteen prospective graduate students were awarded this prestigious award for the 2024-25 academic year.
Award Details
The deans of each qualifying Unit/College will propose how, and to which programs, funds will be allocated to improve the quality of graduate students in doctoral programs.
An $8,000 award will be disbursed to students directly from the Division of Graduate Studies with the following distribution schedule:
- $2,000 in first Fall term of study upon matriculation
- Two $3,000 installments in the first and second summer of study
Awards are non-transferable and cannot be deferred. Award funds are distributed directly to students' UO billing account. Any outstanding balance may be deducted automatically from award funds. Student must be enrolled to receive funds.
Eligibility Details
Program Eligibility
- Prior to nomination, programs must offer students admission with at least one year Graduate Employee (GE) support or comparable funding; programs are responsible for securing this funding. As of 2023, there is no longer a requirement to provide two years of .40 FTE GE support.
- As of 2023, students are able to self-identify through Slate for consideration for nomination. Programs may select students who have not opted-in. See the Admissions Handbook on how to find this information in Slate.
- Programs may not transfer this award to other admitted students in the same program.
Student Eligibility
- Student must be admitted to the program.
- Student shows evidence of strong academic promise.
- Student's experiences and contributions are underrepresented within the program. See the Admissions Handbook for defining "underrepresentation."
- Student must be pursuing a doctoral degree. Students in programs that initially classify their doctoral students as master's students qualify.
Award Selections
- Details will be communicated directly to programs by the Division of Graduate Studies. All awardee selections will go through Slate.
- Deadline for selections is March 14, 2025.
- For questions about the award's process or funding, contact the Director of Diversity and Inclusion.