The deadline to apply for the 2024 Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship was February 1, 2024. Please check back this fall for the 2025 application procedures. Please see below for information on fellowship purpose, selection criteria, and a list of past winners.

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 the SSSP 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 demonstrates a commitment, through his, her, or their scholarly examination, of any aspect of inequality, injustice, and oppression

SELECTION CRITERIA

• A person identified as either American Indian or Alaska Native, Arab/Middle Eastern/North African, Asian/Asian-American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) 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 2024 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
• Statement of financial need as expressed by the applicant and advisor, program chair, or graduate director
• With the exception of DACA students, who are also eligible, applicants must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States

FUNDING

A $15,000 fellowship will be funded to two students with an additional $500 awarded for attendance at the annual meeting. Payments will be made in equal installments in September 2024 and January 2025. 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: a $500 stipend will be available to each winner for this purpose (except for DACA eligible winners who might be excluded from travelling outside the United States)
• Submit a brief final report (3 pages maximum) on the work sponsored through the award at the end of the award year
• Following year, present work (described above) at an appropriate division session: a $500 stipend will be available to each winner for this purpose
• Serve on the Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship Committee after completing graduate school, and attend the scheduled meeting of the committee

STUDENT APPLICATION PROCESS

It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure that his, her, or their application meets all requirements to be considered eligible for evaluation. Incomplete online applications will not be reviewed. Each application must include the following: 

1. Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship Application
2. Unofficial Academic Transcript from Doctoral Program
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 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 2024 academic year.
5. No more than 3 double spaced pages of the personal statement of commitment to a career of scholar activism, plus a table of contents
6. No more than 10 single spaced pages of the dissertation proposal, plus a table of contents

Contact Dr. David Brunsma, Chair, Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Fellowship Committee with questions concerning the fellowship: brunsmad@vt.edu

PAST WINNERS

Click here to view a list of past winners.