Fellowships & Awards

Diversity at Texas A&M University is an indispensable component of academic excellence. The Dr. Dionel Avilés ’53 and Dr. James Johnson ‘67 Fellowship Program seeks to increase the diversity of the graduate student population at Texas A&M University and to support the development of high achieving scholars who show promise of distinguished careers and whose life and research experiences and/or employment background will contribute significantly to academic excellence at TAMU and maximize educational benefits of diversity for all students. To address the goal of increasing diversity at Texas A&M, eligible nominees may be from minority groups that historically have been under-represented at TAMU and/or in their profession; have attended a minority serving institution of higher education; have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or come from a disadvantaged background as defined by the NIH. This list is not exhaustive so please see the link. Nominations must include a diversity statement and relevant supporting data and narrative about the basis of the nominee’s eligibility regarding these markers of diversity.

Learn more about this fellowship including funding, eligibility, and nomination requirements.

Eligibility
Nominees must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. In addition, the prospective student must be graduating with a bachelor’s or master’s degree no later than August 2021, so that he/she can begin graduate work at TAMU in Summer or Fall 2021. Although students starting their graduate programs in Summer 2021 are eligible for nomination, fellowship funding will not begin until September 1, 2021.

Deadlines
Priority (Round 1) Deadline: Monday, February 1, 2021 (doctoral nominations only)
Final (Round 2) Deadline: Monday, March 1, 2021 (master’s and doctoral nominations accepted)

If you plan to submit a nomination for the Final (Round 2) Deadline:
Monday, February 15, 2021: Notify David Kessler of intended nomination
Friday, February 26, 2021: Submit nomination material to David Kessler

Submission
Nomination materials should be submitted to David Kessler at dkessler@cvm.tamu.edu

The College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) at Texas A&M University offers the CVMBS Merit & Excellence Fellowship to attract and support accomplished individuals who have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, and/or professional degree (DVM, MD, etc.) and are prepared to excel in basic, applied, and translational biomedical research projects under the mentorship of CVMBS faculty members. This four-year fellowship funding commitment for incoming doctoral students of the CVMBS has a financial package with the following structure:

YEARS 1 through 4 (approximately $38,000 annually)

• Assistantship stipend = $20,000 comprised of $10,000 PI contribution and $10,000 department contribution
• Fellowship = $7,000 from a Graduate and Professional School allocation
• Full tuition & fees and reimbursement for personal health insurance premium (medical only)
• Student must enroll in 9 hours in fall/spring and 6 hours in summer

Eligibility
Eligibility is not restricted by citizenship and can include U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students. In addition, the prospective student must be graduating with a bachelor’s or master’s degree no later than August 2021, so that he/she can begin graduate work at TAMU in Summer or Fall 2021. Although students starting their graduate programs in Summer 2021 are eligible for nomination, fellowship funding will not begin until September 1, 2021.

Deadlines
Monday, February 8, 2021: Notify David Kessler of intended nomination
Monday, February 15, 2021 (5:00pm): Submit nomination materials to David Kessler

Submission
Nomination materials should be submitted to David Kessler at david.kessler@tamu.edu and must include the following documents:

1. A nomination letter of no more than two pages in length signed by the faculty mentor/PI of the CVMBS that states the specific fellowship to which the nomination applies and why the nominee meets the criteria and is deserving,
2. A personal statement of no more than two pages in length written by the nominee covering their research interests, goals, and why they believe they are deserving of the fellowship,
3. An electronic copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae, and
4. 3 letters of recommendation from individuals other than the nominating faculty member (directly addressing the fellowship nomination or from the nominee’s application for admission).

Diversity and inclusion are an essential component of academic excellence at Texas A&M University and in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) at all levels. With matching funds from the CVMBS Director of Climate and Diversity, the CVMBS Office of Research and Graduate Studies created the CVMBS Graduate Diversity Fellowship in an effort to engage more individuals from diverse backgrounds who show promise of distinguished success as a doctoral student in the biomedical sciences. Competitive nominees will reflect one or more aspects of diversity and show ways in which this can benefit the college and their future research career through a personal statement. Recipients will also be selected based on a comprehensive review of prior academic performance and achievements in areas such as research as evident through a resume/curriculum vitae, required letters, and a research statement. This four-year fellowship funding commitment for incoming doctoral students of the CVMBS has a financial package with the following structure:

YEARS 1 through 4 (approximately $38,000 annually)

• Assistantship stipend = $20,000 comprised of $10,000 PI contribution and $10,000 department contribution
• Fellowship = $7,000 from a Graduate and Professional School allocation
• Full tuition & fees and reimbursement for personal health insurance premium (medical only)
• Student must enroll in 9 hours in fall/spring and 6 hours in summer

Eligibility
Eligibility is not restricted by citizenship and can include U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students. In addition, the prospective student must be graduating with a bachelor’s or master’s degree no later than August 2021, so that he/she can begin graduate work at TAMU in Summer or Fall 2021. Although students starting their graduate programs in Summer 2021 are eligible for nomination, fellowship funding will not begin until September 1, 2021.

Deadlines
Monday, February 8, 2021: Notify David Kessler of intended nomination
Monday, February 15, 2021 (5:00pm): Submit nomination materials to David Kessler

Submission
Nomination materials should be submitted to David Kessler at dkessler@cvm.tamu.edu and must include the following documents:

1. A nomination letter of no more than two pages in length signed by the faculty mentor/PI of the CVMBS that states the specific fellowship to which the nomination applies and why the nominee meets the criteria and is deserving,
2. A personal statement of no more than two pages in length written by the nominee covering their research interests and goals,
3. A personal statement of no more than two pages in length written by the nominee about their diversity and how this will help them contribute to their PhD program and/or future career differently than the traditional scientist,
4. An electronic copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae, and
5. 3 letters of recommendation (directly addressing the fellowship nomination or from the nominee’s application for admission).

In coordination with the Graduate and Professional School of Texas A&M University, the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) awards the Texas A&M University Merit Fellowship to recognize an applicant who has already shown meritorious achievements in professional, research, and scholarly activities that prepares them to be an outstanding doctoral student in the CVMBS. This four-year fellowship funding commitment for incoming doctoral students of the CVMBS has a financial package with the following structure:

• YEAR 1: Stipend of $30,000, full tuition & fees, and reimbursement for personal health insurance premium (medical only) funded from a Graduate and Professional School allocation
• YEARS 2 – 4: Assistantship stipend of no less than $30,000 funded by PI or in collaboration with the department
• Student must enroll in 9 hours in Fall/Spring and 6 hours in Summer – tuition and fees covered throughout duration of fellowship

Approximately $41,000 annually

Eligibility
Nominees must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. In addition, the prospective student must be graduating with a bachelor’s or master’s degree no later than August 2021, so that he/she can begin graduate work at TAMU in Summer or Fall 2021. Although students starting their graduate programs in Summer 2021 are eligible for nomination, fellowship funding will not begin until September 1, 2021.

Deadlines
Monday, February 8, 2021: Notify David Kessler of intended nomination
Monday, February 15, 2021 (5:00pm): Submit nomination materials to David Kessler

Submission
Nomination materials should be submitted to David Kessler at david.kessler@tamu.edu and must include the following documents:

1. A nomination letter of no more than two pages in length signed by the faculty mentor/PI of the CVMBS that states the specific fellowship to which the nomination applies and why the nominee meets the criteria and is deserving,
2. A personal statement of no more than two pages in length written by the nominee covering their research interests, goals, and why they believe they are deserving of the fellowship,
3. An electronic copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae, and
4. 3 letters of recommendation from individuals other than the nominating faculty member (directly addressing the fellowship nomination or from the nominee’s application for admission).

The Montgomery Award is awarded to student leaders making major contributions to the academic opportunities and quality of life of their fellow graduate students here at Texas A&M. Whether through demonstrated leadership in international student groups or service organizations, students must show their dedication to serving Aggie graduate students in addition to excellent academics and scholarship.

• $1,000 award
• Personalized award plaque
• Students may self-nominate

Deadline
April 23, 2021

Learn more about the Montgomery Award

The Texas A&M Distinguished Dissertation Award recognizes dissertations that have made a significant, impactful contribution to their discipline. We provide awards in four broad areas: Biological and Life Sciences; Humanities and Fine Arts; Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering; and Social Sciences. Among the four recipients, we will also recognize a George W. Kunze Endowed Graduate Student Award. The George W. Kunze Endowed Graduate Student Award has been incorporated into the Texas A&M Distinguished Dissertation Award nomination process. As a result, nominations for the George W. Kunze Endowed Graduate Student Award must adhere to the Texas A&M Distinguished Dissertation Award eligibility and submission requirements. 

• $1,000 award

Deadline
March 1, 2021

Learn more about the Texas A&M Distinguished Dissertation Award

Learn more about the George W. Kunze Endowed Graduate Student Award

The US Senator Phil Gramm Doctoral Fellowship Award, available only to currently enrolled doctoral students at Texas A&M University, recognizes scholarly excellence. The Gramm Fellowship was established to promote, encourage and reward outstanding teaching and research by doctoral students whose command of their respective disciplines exemplifies the meaning of scholar/mentor in the highest sense.

• $5,000 award
• Limit of two (2) nomination submissions per IDP

Deadline
April 23, 2021

Learn more about the US Senator Phil Gramm Doctoral Fellowship Award