Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship. Members of the Society are encouraged to urge qualified applicants to apply. Online applications must be finalized no later than 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on February 1, 2026. Applicants will be notified of the results by July 15, 2026. All applicants must be 2026 SSSP student members when applying.

FELLOWSHIP PURPOSE

The Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP), in keeping with its philosophy of active engagement with social problems, participation in social problem solutions, and advancement of knowledge through study, service and critical analysis, established the Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Scholarship at its annual meeting in August 1993. At the 2017 annual meeting, the Board of Directors voted to change the scholarship to a fellowship.

The purpose of the fellowship is:

• To identify and support developing minority scholars who exemplify and give fresh voice to SSSP’s history and commitment to scholar activism
• To give renewed energy and wider lenses to diversity in scholarship
• To increase the pool of minority social and behavioral scientists
• To establish a formal commitment to diversity through support of two minority doctoral students in the social and/or behavioral sciences inclusive of course work or dissertation research support who demonstrate a commitment, through their scholarly examination, of any aspect of inequality, injustice, and oppression

SELECTION CRITERIA

• A person identified as either Arab or Middle Eastern or North African, Asian or Asian-American, Black or African American, Latine or Hispanic, Native American or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and undocumented students from one of the aforementioned groups, accepted into an accredited doctoral program in any one of the social and/or behavioral sciences so as to expand their perspectives in the pursuit and investigations into social problems
• Submission of a dissertation proposal of no more than 10 single spaced pages is required, plus a table of contents. The student’s dissertation advisor’s letter should note that they expect the student to have defended the dissertation proposal and have achieved advanced status in the doctoral program (completed course work, examinations, and approval of their dissertation prospectus) by the end of the Spring 2026 academic year.
• A grade point average or equivalent of at least 3.25 in one’s current graduate program [of study]
• Evidence of a commitment to a career of scholar activism as demonstrated by: course and academic work and research, activism in school and/or community, career plans, mentoring members of marginalized populations, and volunteering and organizing around social justice issues as a scholar activist
• Financial need should be discussed in two primary ways: 1) as personal financial need within the personal statement, and 2) as programmatic financial need within the letter from the dissertation advisor, program chair, or graduate director.
• With the exception of DACA and undocumented students, who are also eligible, applicants must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States

FUNDING

A 15,000 fellowship will be awarded to two students. Payments will be made in equal installments in September 2026 and January 2027. SSSP believes that the support of students will foster the commitment required to enable the student to fund living arrangements as well as academic or research costs.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF RECIPIENT

• Attend the annual meeting to receive the award (except for DACA/undocumented eligible winners who might be excluded from travelling outside the United States)
• A personal statement of no more than 3 double spaced pages is required. Applicants should include a discussion of their commitment to a career of scholar activism and any personal financial need.
• Present their work at an appropriate division session at the following year’s meeting
• Serve on the Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship Committee after completing graduate school and attend the scheduled meeting of the committee

STUDENT APPLICATION PROCESS

Each application must include the following:

1. Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship Application
2. Academic Transcript from Doctoral Program (official or unofficial accepted)
3. Resume or Curriculum Vitae
4. Three letters of recommendation addressing the student’s work and progress in the program, including one from the student’s dissertation advisor, are required. A letter from the dissertation advisor, program chair, or graduate director should address the programmatic financial need of the applicant and that the student will have defended the dissertation proposal and have achieved advanced status in the doctoral program (completed course work, examinations, and approval of their dissertation prospectus) by the end of the Spring 2026 academic year.
5. Personal statement of no more than 3 double spaced pages. Applicants should include a discussion of their commitment to a career of scholar activism and any personal financial need.
6. No more than 10 single spaced pages of the dissertation proposal, plus a table of contents

Applications are now being accepted. Review the FAQ before applying.

Contact Dr. Onwubiko Agozino, Chair, Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship Committee with questions concerning the fellowship: agozino@vt.edu

Contact the SSSP Administrative Office with technical questions concerning the online application system at ssspit@utk.edu