Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 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, 2027. Applicants will be notified of the results by July 15, 2027. All applicants must be 2027 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 a minority doctoral student in the social and/or behavioral sciences inclusive of course work or dissertation research support who demonstrates 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 2027 academic year.
• A grade point average or equivalent of at least 3.25 in one’s current graduate program
• 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
• Financial need is a factor in the selection process and will be evaluated based on information provided by the applicant and supporting materials. Applicants must disclose to the REMGF Committee Chair any fellowships, scholarships, grants, or other financial support that overlap with the fellowship period if known at the time of application or if received during the review process. Receipt of other awards does not automatically disqualify an applicant; however, the committee may consider overlapping funding and demonstrated financial need when making decisions on a case-by-case basis. Failure to disclose overlapping awards may result in disqualification or rescission of an award offer.
• 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 one student. Payments will be made in equal installments in September 2027 and January 2028. 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)
• Present their work at an appropriate division session at the following year’s meeting
• Serve on the REMGF Committee after completing graduate school and attend the scheduled meeting of the committee

STUDENT APPLICATION PROCESS

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their application meets all requirements for eligibility and evaluation. Incomplete online applications will not be reviewed. Applicants must also disclose any overlapping fellowships, scholarships, grants, or other financial support as described under Selection Criteria.

Each application must include the following:

1. REMGF 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. A letter from the dissertation advisor, program chair, or graduate director must 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 2027 academic year.
5. Personal statement of no more than 3 double spaced pages. Applicants should discuss 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.

Please address questions concerning the fellowship to:

Dr. Luis Alberto Fernandez, Chair
Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship Committee
Luis.Fernandez@nau.edu

Please address technical questions concerning the online application system to: sssp@utk.edu