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There are three types of Dissertation Year Fellowships that are offered annually during the Spring Quarter.

• UC President’s Dissertation Year Fellowship (PDYF)

• Fletcher Jones Fellowship (FJF)

• Dissertation Year Fellowship funded by the Marye Anne Fox Endowed Fellowship Fund (MAF)

Each fellowship is named and detailed below, including specific eligibility criteria and nomination materials for each type of dissertation year fellowship award. All three fellowships are terminal support awards and only candidates projected to finish during the twelve-month award period (July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026) should be nominated. Convincing evidence that the nominee can complete all degree requirements by June 30, 2026 will be an important consideration in selecting Fellows. Fellowship recipients will be selected from one pool of nominations. Fellowships will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary group of faculty and staff.

Applicants should be nominated by their graduate programs; no self-nominations will be accepted. Graduate Programs may nominate a total of three candidates across all three dissertation year fellowships. This is a combined total of three nominations for the Dissertation Year Fellowship, the Fletcher Jones Fellowship, and the Marye Anne Fox Endowed Fellowship.

The nomination period for AY25-26 Dissertation Year Fellowships is now open. Nominations are due no later than Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11:59p.m.

1. A U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or a student who qualifies for nonresident tuition exemption under AB 540.

2. Candidate must have advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree at the time of nomination.

3. Candidate must be making satisfactory progress towards completing the dissertation such that a dissertation-year award will be sufficient for the candidate to complete all Ph.D. degree requirements during the award year.

4. Acceptance that the award precludes instructional employment in graduate academic titles for recipients during their tenure as Dissertation Year Fellows (with the exception of the time period spanning the conclusion of Spring courses to the first day of Fall courses). Additionally, supplemental Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) or research fellow appointments will be considered by exception request provided the research supports the Fellow’s dissertation work.

5. Presentation of the candidate’s research during the fellowship year is a condition of accepting this fellowship.

6. Eligibility for student support through the award period. 

7. All doctoral degree programs under the jurisdiction of the EVC-Academic Affairs are eligible.

Five (5) candidates will be awarded the UC President’s Dissertation Year Fellowship. Each award will include:

• $31,000 stipend;

• $500 travel allowance, to be used for fellow’s travel to another school or campus in Californiapresent their dissertation research at another UC campus, a California State University campus, or an independent California university;

• The full cost of resident tuition** and fees must also be covered on the student’s behalf. The student’s degree-granting program is responsible for identifying the funding source and disbursing the tuition & fee payments.

This fellowship is a terminal support award. Nominated candidates must be projected to finish during the twelve-month award period (July 1 through June 30). Convincing evidence that the nominee can complete all degree requirements by June 30 will be an important consideration in the selection process. Awards will be made by the Dean of the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.

All items are required for Fellowship consideration: 

1. Brief autobiographical sketch by the student (half-page limit)

2. Two-page dissertation synopsis written in a non-technical format for a "lay audience." The synopsis must address the relevance of the student's research within the academic field, and must also include a short (~1/2 page) proposal detailing the candidate’s plans to present their dissertation research at another UC campus, a California State University campus, or an independent California university.

3. An academic timeline for completion of the dissertation with a projected date of completion.

4. Letter of support from the student's academic advisor addressing how the student meets the program objectives and the eligibility requirements. This may include discussion of relevant non-academic activities, such as community or campus service (three-page limit). Letter of support should also include an outline for how they will assist their fellow in arranging a presentation of their research at a California based university (can be a UC campus other than San Diego, Cal State University campus or independent California University).

5. A completed nomination form with the signature of the department/program chair.

One (1) candidate will be selected for the Fletcher Jones Dissertation Fellowship. Each Award will include:

• $31,000 stipend;

• The full cost of resident tuition** and fees must also be covered on the student’s behalf. The student’s degree-granting program is responsible for identifying the funding source and disbursing the tuition & fee payments.

This fellowship is a terminal support award. Nominated candidates must be projected to finish during the twelve-month award period (July 1 through June 30). Convincing evidence that the nominee can complete all degree requirements by June 30 will be an important consideration in the selection process. Awards will be made by the Dean of the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs before the end of Spring Quarter.

One (1) candidate will be selected for the Dissertation Year Fellowship funded by the Marye Anne Fox Endowed Fellowship Fund. Each award will include:

• Stipend of $31,000;

• The full cost of resident tuition** and fees must also be covered on the student’s behalf. The student’s degree-granting program is responsible for identifying the funding source and disbursing the tuition & fee payments.

This fellowship is a terminal support award. Nominated candidates must be projected to finish during the twelve-month award period (July 1 through June 30). Convincing evidence that the nominee can complete all degree requirements by June 30 will be an important consideration in the selection process. Awards will be made by the Dean of the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.