DPD Student Applicants

This program aims to expand and improve formal dissertation prospectus and grant proposal development for humanities and social science doctoral students at the University of Minnesota. Twenty-four students will be selected to participate in 2023 . The program includes an intensive five-day workshop in May, followed by independent student summer research, and another intensive five-day workshop in late August and early September, prior to fall research grant proposal deadlines. Students who have not completed their preliminary exams by the fall workshop will register for GRAD 8401, a 3-credit graduate seminar in Fall 2023 as part of the program.

In applying for this program, you are committing to attending and completing all three components: the Spring workshop, May 8-11 & May 15, 2023; at least six weeks of summer exploratory research or other intellectual work aimed at developing your dissertation proposal; and the summer / Fall workshop, August 28-31, 2023, followed by one Friday, September 15, 2023 . You are also committing to registering for the seminar in Fall 2023 . Specifically, because this program includes an intense peer engagement and review process, as well as a revision process, you will be expected to read and comment on your colleagues’ proposals and complete at least one round of revisions on your own proposal. The program provides stipends of $4,000 for summer research and living expenses. At this time, we are planning to conduct the workshops in person on the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus.

If you become a finalist, we will request a commitment from your advisor to participate in evaluating the program.

Eligibility

  • Your dissertation proposal must not yet have been finalized.
  • You must register for GRAD 8401 in Fall 2023. 
    • Students who have not completed their preliminary exams by the fall workshop will register for GRAD 8401
    • If you are not an advanced doctoral status, your tuition would fall under general graduate tuition rates that include a 6-14 credit band for full-time registration.
    • If you are considered eligible for 8444 Advanced Doctoral Status (full-time equivalency for doctoral students, coursework, and thesis credits completed), you may still apply for the DPD.
  • You must be within two semesters of when you passed your doctoral preliminary exams.
    • In other words, you should be scheduled to take them in Fall of 2023 or Spring of 2024, or have already taken them in Fall of 2022 or Spring of 2023.
  • You must have a faculty advisor by the application deadline, who will endorse your participation if you are selected to participate in the program.
  • You must be available for all dates of the Dissertation Proposal Development Workshop.
  • Students in CDES, CEHD, CLA, School of Nursing, and HHH can apply directly as their home units have agreed to fund tuition and the summer fellowship. Students in CFANS, SPH and CSE must confirm — before applying — with their department that it will fund tuition and summer fellowship. Students of other colleges must ask their departments whether they will participate.
    • CFANS: Request an approval from letter of support from Milena Saqui-Salces, msaquisa@umn.edu

Acknowledgment

In the signature section, you will be committing to participate fully in all three parts of the program (the spring and fall workshops and the summer research) and register for a 3-credit graduate seminar in Fall 2023, if applicable. You will confirm that you can attend all of the Spring Workshop: May 8-11 & May 15, 2023, and the Fall Workshop: August 28-31, 2023, followed by one Friday, September 15, 2023.

Contact: DPDP@umn.edu

Deadline: March 3, 2023, 11:59pm

Apply