MSU PhD students who will be in their final term of PhD research and dissertation writing can apply for a PhD Dissertation Completion Award. The expectation is that recipients of this award will graduate at the end of the term of the award. The application for a Spring 2025 award is open from Oct. 15th to Nov. 15th 2024.

The award consists of a graduate research assistantship (GRA) for one term and includes a stipend of $10,375/semester and an additional payment of $1,160 per semester, as well as a tuition waiver for three to six (3-6) credits. University fees and other fees are not included. As a GRA, the student will be represented by the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO).

Eligibility

  • The application is open to PhD candidates in any department at MSU-Bozeman.
  • Applicants must have completed all requirements for the PhD except the dissertation.
  • Applicants must have submitted an Application to Graduate for the term of the award. 

Exclusions

  • Graduate students who hold teaching or research assistantships or who are employed by MSU in any capacity during the same time period.
  • Graduate students who have previously received a PhD Dissertation Completion Award.

Evaluation Criteria

  1. The impact that this award will have for the student and the degree to which it will assist the student in completing his/her PhD.
  2. Regular POS committee meetings.
  3. The student’s committee chair and the members of the committee will provide input on how close the student is to completing the degree.
  4. The amount of funding available to the research advisor (per a check run by the Office of Sponsored Programs). Depending on available funding, the application may not be awarded or advisors may be asked to contribute up to three-quarters of the amount of the award.

If awarded, it is expected that:

  1. The recipient will meet with the Assistant Dean of The Graduate School to discuss plans for completing the dissertation
  2. The recipient will participate in writing coaching and peer accountability or review sessions run by the Writing Center.

Application

Applications are here.

The Graduate School has limited funding for these awards and will consider all applications submitted by the application deadline (listed above).

Application Process:

After the Application is submitted, the student's academic status will be confirmed by The Graduate School and then the application will be routed to the student's advisor for input and signature. The Graduate School will not process the application until after the application deadline.

The document has sections for

  • A statement from the student on where they are in completing their dissertation, what research remains to be done, and what writing remains to be done
  • Dates of recent PoS committee meetings
  • Names and emails of their academic department head, as well as their committee chair and committee members who will provide input on how close the student is to completing the degree.

For further information, contact the Graduate School at gradfinances@montana.edu or (406) 994-4145.