The nomination process for AY2024-2025 is has now open. Submissions are due by December 21, 2023. closed. Please check back for updates about AY2025-26 nominations in Fall 2024.

About the award

The Will of Dolores Zohrab Liebmann created a perpetual charitable trust designated as “The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund” for the purpose of funding advanced education and graduate study grants, which must be carried out entirely in the United States of America. The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowships are to be awarded only to candidates who have outstanding undergraduate records, have demonstrated a need for financial assistance, are citizens of the United States of America, are enrolled in accredited colleges and universities in the United States and have received baccalaureate degrees.

Mrs. Liebmann was the daughter of a prominent Armenian intellectual, writer and statesman and was married to one of the owners of a successful American business. She supported students and educational and charitable organizations during her lifetime. Mrs. Liebmann’s primary concern, as expressed in her Will, was to attract and support students with outstanding character and ability who hold promise for achievement and distinction in their chosen fields of study. The trustees welcome applications from students of all national origins who are United States citizens.

• UC San Diego will select up to three students to nominate for this award.
• The 2024-2025 recipient will receive the cost of tuition only (no fees) plus an $18,000 stipend to be allocated towards the room, board, and living expenses, as well as any income taxes thereon.  
• Each Fellow agrees to have his or her name published and identified as a Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellow and MUST APPLY FOR A RENEWAL of his or her fellowship by March 31 Annually for each of the following years in accordance with the terms in effect at the time the fellowship is awarded.  (No reminder will be sent.) Fellowships will be limited to a maximum of three years.
• If an applicant is selected and needs to defer to study abroad an email must be sent to JPMorgan contact notifying as such and can only be deferred once up to one academic year.
• A Fellow must remain enrolled in a graduate program and pursuing a graduate degree at a designated institution. Studies must be conducted in the United States of America.
• A Fellowship may be canceled at any time if a Fellow engages in misconduct affecting the Fund, breaches any of these rules or provides false information to the Fund either directly or indirectly.

Eligibility

• Fellowships are available to students who are enrolled in a graduate program and pursuing a graduate degree at a designated institution of higher learning at the time of application. Individuals applying to graduate programs are no longer qualified candidates.
• An applicant may be pursuing a program of study that includes any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences (including law, medicine, engineering, architecture or other formal professional training). The selection committee has a strong preference for supporting scholarly endeavors.
• An applicant must have an outstanding undergraduate record, must demonstrate financial need, and must be a US citizen.  

Application Packet

• Nominators must prepare/upload required materials as one PDF document 
• Submission materials must be submitted electronically and assembled in the following order :
  
  • A completed and signed Application form
  • One copy of your personal vitae or résumé. 
  • Certified copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts to date.
  • Copy of graduate exam test scores (if applicable). 
  • A Statement of Purpose (see insights listed below) up to three pages long (double-spaced) which considers the relationship between your graduate-level study and your intended personal and/or professional goals. Your Statement of Purpose must include a 10-15 line abstract at the top (included in the three pages) that explains, in LAYMAN’S  terms, the essence of your proposed topic of study or dissertation, the methodology of its treatment, and its anticipated impact on your field of study. 
  • Letter of Recommendation from the Dean of Graduate School or Department Chair. (OPTIONAL)
  • Letters of Recommendation from at least two professors who have taught or worked closely with you. (REQUIRED)
  • Copy of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (FASFA) (Required)
  • Financial Aid information from the University or other applicable source. 
  • Copy of your Federal Income Tax Return for the prior two years 2022 and 2021 are required, including your spouse’s returns, if applicable. Only submit Tax Return Form – DO NOT send schedules, etc

* If any of the documents above are not applicable, please include a statement in its place in the application packet that explains why the item is not applicable.

Please see the "Application Tips" from a previously awarded UC Fellow: Application Tips | Dolores Zorhrab Liebmann Fellowship

Nomination Process

• There is no limit to how many nominations a department or Faculty mentor may submit.  
• A separate form should be submitted for each student.
• UC San Diego will select three students to nominate for this award.
• This is a highly competitive fellowship please review the resources and tools page for tips that can help to create a successful nomination packet.

Deadline

Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (PT) - No Late applications will be accepted.

Please submit nominations via this Google Form

The nomination process for AY2024-25 has now closed.

If you have any questions please send an email to gradfellowshipnoms@ucsd.edu which will create a support ticket.

For FAQs please visit the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund Guidelines webpage maintained by JP Morgan

Only one (1) Single PDF file will be accepted per nominee: Please review this Adobe video on how to "Combine and Merge Multiple Files into One Glorious PDF".