PSYCHOLOGY DISSERTATION FELLOWSHIP
Purpose of the Psychology Dissertation Fellowship (PDF): To provide support to
highly-qualified FIU doctoral students during the data analysis and writing phase of
their dissertation. It is intended to facilitate the timely completion of high-quality
manuscripts and dissertations. Students who are conducting outstanding research
in their discipline and have established a notable record of publication during their
doctoral studies (in comparison to others in their discipline) are favored in the
application process. Dissertation Fellows are expected to graduate within 1 year
after receiving the award.
Support: $16,6000 or $8,300 per Semester. For 2 semesters (Fall & Spring or Spring
& Summer – in one academic year). Tuition waivers provided by CAS.
The Psychology Department awards the PDF once per year. The present application
is for funding that begins in Fall Term 2015 (though it may be deferred to Spring &
Summer 2016). PDFs provide a stipend of $16,600 for two terms, or $8,300 per
term (inclusive of the term in which the dissertation is submitted to the University
Graduate School). After a student has advanced to candidacy, he/she is considered
to be full-time if enrolled for a minimum of three term hours of dissertation credit
per term (this applies to both domestic and international students). Therefore,
fellowship recipients must enroll in, and CAS will provide a tuition waiver for, three
dissertation credit hours per term (international students may waive this
requirement to enroll in more than 3 credits). Any additional credits beyond the
three that are required will be the financial responsibility of the student.
Note: Department of Psychology seed fund grants and Dissertation Awards can be
awarded consecutively but not simultaneously. Additionally, students will hold no
other funding nor work for pay while on this fellowship.
Deadline: June 26, 2015
Description: The Psychology Dissertation Fellowship (PDF) provides support to
highly-qualified PSY doctoral students during the data analysis and writing phase of
their dissertation. It is intended to facilitate the timely completion of high-quality
manuscripts and dissertations. Dissertation Fellows are expected to graduate
within one year after receiving the award. Failure to meet this expectation will
result in the student having to pay back the award.
Evaluation Criteria: Primary consideration is given to students who are conducting
outstanding research in their field and have established a notable record of
scholarship during their doctoral studies (in comparison to others in their field)
It is expected that publications resulting from research supported in part through a
PDF should acknowledge the financial support of a Florida International University
Department of Psychology Dissertation Fellowship. A copy of any such publication
should be sent to the Director of Graduate Studies in the department.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for consideration for a DYF, applicants must:
1)be within six (6) dissertation credits of completing all requirements for the
degree by the term in which the award would begin (exception for clinical
students on internship);
2) be currently enrolled for a minimum of three
(3) dissertation credits; 3) have an approved D-3 form on file in the UGS in
the term prior to applying for this fellowship; and
4) have completed all data collection for the dissertation. If applicant has an
approved D5 on file, they are ineligible to receive the PDF. It is expected that
full-time applicants will not have been in the program for more than 5 years.
Students must present:
 Proposal articulating specific aims and potential impact of research
 Clear and detailed timeline that indicates the student will finish
dissertation in two terms
 Outstanding level of publication and presentation of dissertation
research
 History of student’s applications for external funding
 Letter of support from major professor articulating the need for the
award
 Two Letters of support from Dissertation Committee members or DAS
faculty who are familiar with the student’s dissertation research.
Note: letters of support and applicant-reviewer form should be emailed
to the Director of Graduate Studies prior to the application deadline.
Evaluation: Prospective fellowship applicants’ proposals will be reviewed by a
committee comprised of the Graduate Education Committee, the Associate
Chairperson, the Director of Graduate Studies, and several ad hoc reviewers
appointed by the Director of Graduate Studies.
Instructions: Applicants must submit the application package in a pdf file.
Download the application from the PSY Graduate Studies website. In Microsoft
Word fill out the Application form and attach the Application Proposal. Save this file
as a pdf file with the following label : LastnamePDF.pdf . Fill out the Applicant –
Reviewer from (in Microsoft Word; see below), sign, and give to your Major
Professor/Committee/Faculty Letter of Support writers.
FALL 2015 DISSERTATION YEAR FELLOWSHIP (DYF) APPLICATION
(please fill out in Microsoft Word)
Part I
1. Name_______________________________________________________________________________________
Last
First
Middle
2. Home Address_____________________________________________________________________________
Street
City
State Zip Code
Tel. #_______________________ Panther ID__________________ E-mail____________________________
3. Doctoral Training Program_________________________________ Degree_____________________
4. Grad School Entry Date:______________
5. Date (D-1) approved by UGS_________________
6. Date (D-2) approved by UGS_________________
7. Date (D-3) approved by UGS_________________
8. Total Graduate Credits:__________________ 9. GPA:___________________________________
10. Proposed Title of Dissertation
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Major Professor E-mail____________________________________________
12. By signing this application form you affirm that: 1) the information you have
provided is true; and 2) you will work full-time on your dissertation research during
the period of the fellowship (if awarded); and 3) you will not hold any other
fellowship or assistantship nor hold other employment during this time.
Signature_____________________________________ Date________________________________________
Part II
All Psychology Dissertation Fellowship Proposals must complete the Application
Proposal with the following structure. The Application Proposal will be no more
than 6 pages. This section is to be created in Microsoft Word and saved as a pdf file:
I. PROJECT SUMMARY
The purpose of the Project Summary/Abstract is to describe succinctly every major
aspect of the proposed project. It should contain a statement of objectives and
methods to be employed. Consider the significance and innovation of the research
proposed when preparing the Project Summary
II. RESEARCH PLAN
Must be organized into four sections: Specific Aims/Research Strategy; Significance,
Innovation, and Approach. The assessment of this research plan will largely
determine whether or not the application is favorably recommended for funding.
1. Research strategy/Aims: The Research Strategy should answer the following
questions: • What do you intend to do? • Why is this worth doing or the significance
of the research? How is it innovative? • What has already been done in general, and
what have other researchers done in this field? Use appropriate references. What
will this new work add to the field of knowledge? • What have you (and your
collaborators) done to establish the feasibility of what you are proposing to do? •
How will the research be accomplished? Who? What? When? Where? Why?
2. Significance: The Significance section should explain the importance of the
problem or describe the critical barrier to progress in the field that is being
addressed. Explain how the proposed research project will improve scientific
knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice in one or more broad fields.
Describe how the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or
preventative interventions that drive this field will be changed if the proposed aims
are achieved.
3. Innovation: Explain how the application challenges and seeks to shift current
research or clinical practice paradigms. Describe any novel theoretical concepts,
approaches or methodologies, instrumentation or interventions to be developed or
used, and any advantage over existing methodologies, instrumentation, or
interventions. Explain any refinements, improvements, or new applications of
theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or
interventions.
4. Approach: The purpose of the approach section is to describe how the research
will be carried out. This section is crucial to how favorably an application is
reviewed.
III. JUSTIFICATION FOR FELLOWSHIP
The fellowship justification has three parts: 1) the explanation for why the
fellowship is essential; 2) Summary of previous and ongoing financial support
during Doctoral Studies at FIU (e.g. TA, RA, Fellowships, scholarships, etc.). List all
external funding applied for either by the student or by Major Professor for the
student. Indicate if funding was awarded, the amount awarded, and period of
support provided. Please designate internal funding vs. external funding; and 3)
an explanation of how your current means of financial support precludes or
significantly interferes with your ability to complete your dissertation in a timely
fashion and how this will enhance your research productivity
IV. Provide a timeline for completion of your doctoral work. Please be specific and
clear about where the research currently stands.
V. Curriculum Vitae highlighting funding proposals, publications, and presentations
completed at FIU
VI. Letters of support
Each letter of support must be accompanied by the Applicant’s Waiver/Faculty
evaluation form (Applicant-Reviewer Form). Applicants must fill out the applicant
section and provide the form to each letter writer. One letter must be from
applicant’s Major Professor, the other two may be from committee members or
other DAS faculty.
VII. Applicants will be notified if they have been awarded the Psychology
Dissertation Award on August 3, 2015.
Department of Psychology Dissertation Award Applicant – Reviewer Form
APPLICANT’S WAIVER OF RIGHT OF ACCESS TO CONFIDENTIAL STATEMENT
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, a student enrolled at
Florida International University has the right to access his or her educational
records. We comply with this law, while still allowing the student the option of
waiving his or her right of access.
If you wish to waive the right to access this recommendation, please indicate below
and sign.
If left unsigned, it is assumed that you are NOT waiving your right to access this
recommendation. The option you choose in no way affects our consideration of your
application.
I WAIVE my right to access/examine the contents of the following
recommendation
I DO NOT WAIVE my right to access/examine the contents of the following
recommendation
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Applicant Name
Last
First
Middle
Panther ID
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Student/Applicant
Date
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Recommendation Section: to be completed by Major Professor and Dissertation
Committee/Faculty members providing letters of support.
Please submit completed and signed recommendation form and attached
recommendation to the Director of Graduate Studies by Friday, June 26, 2015.
Compare the applicant to other students you have known at a similar point in their
career. Use the following numerical scores. Mark every block; insert “X” if
insufficient knowledge.
1 – Outstanding – upper 5%
3 – Very Good (Above Average) – upper 21 to 40%
5 – Fair (Below Average) – lower 40%
2 – Excellent – upper 6 to 20%
4 – Good (Average) – middle 41 to 60%
0 – Not Applicable
_____Research Ability and Potential Self-Reliance and Independence Originality
_____Written and Verbal Communications
_____Familiarity with Research Literature
_____Number of Publications
_____Timely Progress toward Degree Completion
_____Perseverance in Pursuing Goals
_____Effort Devoted to Research