Auburn University president announces new graduate fellowships to enhance research and innovation

Auburn University President Steven Leath is establishing a new graduate fellowship program to support research and innovation by Auburn doctoral students, while enhancing their careers as academic and societal leaders.

The Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship program will provide $3 million over three years, consisting of $1 million from the university and $2 million from the respective colleges, schools and departments in which the fellows are enrolled.

"The fellowships are a significant part of the university’s strategic plan to conduct and bring impactful research to the national forefront," Leath said. "We expect the program to attract top students already at Auburn as well as those from across the world. Fellowship recipients will work with renowned faculty in established and emerging areas of excellence."

A minimum of 33 new fellowships will be available each fall beginning in fall 2018. Each award will be for three years and will consist of a $10,000 Presidential Fellowship, a minimum $5,000 Dean’s Fellowship and a minimum $15,000 graduate research assistantship, along with tuition and fees. Additional financial support may be provided in subsequent years by the fellow’s department and college or school.

"These fellowship will be used as a tool to recruit outstanding students from across the country to study in any doctoral degree program on campus," said George Flowers, dean of the Graduate School. "We expect that these students will have a major positive impact on our research and scholarship."

Leath and Flowers developed the program with Janaki Alavalapati, dean of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, and John Mason, Auburn University vice president for research and economic development.

Proposal criteria and other program information are available at www.graduate.auburn.edu/presidential. The deadline for nominations is March 1.