Fellowships and Awards

Graduate funding typically supports graduate student tuition, fees and other educationally-related expenses, travel for conference presentation, and activities that support research, scholarly, and creative activity endeavors. Additionally, funding may be applied toward educationally-beneficial experiences and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Funds are disbursed the following Fall semester unless an individual is enrolled in summer credits and applies for special circumstances.

Application Instructions

1. Provide the materials specified below to apply for each fund.
2. Remember to include your name on your documents and in the file name.
3. Required formatting for all statements and narratives: double-spaced 12 point font with one inch margins.

Promising Research & Academic Excellence

Students in continuing education are eligible for all awards. Graduating students are eligible for the James F. Short Jr. Research Award and the Joseph DeMartini Excellence in Teaching Award.

Don Dillman Fellowship

• This fellowship honors Don Dillman’s commitment to supporting graduate students and their research, as well as commemorating his contributions to survey research and other data collection methods.
• A complete WSU General Scholarship Application.
• A clear and concise statement describing your proposed dissertation survey research project and justification for use of funds (400 words maximum).
• A project budget in PDF format.

James F. Short, Jr. Research Award

• Recognizes exceptional research and performance, and rewards a publishable research paper.
• A complete WSU General Scholarship Application (not necessary for graduating students)
• A research paper in PDF format. Cannot be a co-authored paper.
• A cover letter detailing how you see the contribution of your paper.

Gordon D. and Izola P. Morgan Graduate Fellowship in Sociology

• A thank you from Dr. Gordon Morgan for the education he received here, this fellowship provides support towards tuition and fees, research expenses, and other education related costs.
• A complete WSU General Scholarship Application
• A clear and concise statement describing how your research, teaching, and/or mentorship is consistent with the legacy of Gordon Morgan (400 words maximum).

Fred R. Yoder Memorial Graduate Fellowship in Sociology

• The Yoder Fellowship provides funds for tuition and fees, research expenses, and other education related costs.
• A complete WSU General Scholarship Application
• A clear and concise statement describing your plans for professional growth (e.g., research, teaching, other skill development) in the upcoming year (400 words maximum).

Milton Rokeach and Sandra Ball-Rokeach Graduate Fellowship in Sociology

• A complete WSU General Scholarship Application
• A clear and concise statement describing how your research, teaching and/or mentorship connects with the issues and experiences of historically disadvantaged groups (400 words maximum).
• Updated terms of award will go into effect in the Spring of 2025.

Awarding Teaching Excellence

Joseph R. DeMartini Excellence in Teaching Award

Applicants must submit a complete teaching portfolio and a letter of nomination from the applicant (self-nominee) or faculty member. Graduating students are eligible for this award. A general scholarship application is not required for this award. The DeMartini Fund supports both the Teaching Excellence and Travel Fund, so disbursement varies from year to year.

A general scholarship application is not required for this award, but continuing students are encouraged to submit one.

The teaching portfolio should include:

• Statement of teaching philosophy;
• Summary of teaching evaluations from students that demonstrates aspects of your teaching philosophy;
• Course syllabus;
• Students may also submit papers presented at professional meetings or published papers related to teaching (optional).

Nominees may be observed in the classroom by faculty members of the Award and Social Recognition Committee. If the nominee is not teaching during the semester, a request to guest lecture may be made.

Travel Support

Joseph R. DeMartini Travel Grant

• To be used by graduate students traveling to teaching conferences, workshops, or other professional gatherings in pursuit of becoming a better teacher.
• A complete WSU General Scholarship Application
• The DeMartini Fund supports both the Teaching Excellence and Travel Fund, so disbursement varies from year to year.
• A clear and concise statement describing your qualifications for the award and justification of use of funds (400 word maximum).
• A budget (including travel expenses), and a budget narrative that justifies the expense category (e.g., demonstrate how the funds will support your goals).
• Include the name of the meeting and, if possible, the teaching-related sessions you plan to attend.

Karen Jennison and Kenneth Johnson Graduate Student Travel Award

• This award supports excelling students through funds allocated for travel to conduct scholarly research or to attend conferences, meetings, or similar types of professional gatherings. This award operates on a reimbursement method.
• A complete WSU General Scholarship Application
• A clear and concise statement describing your qualifications for the award and justification of use of funds (400 word maximum).
• A budget (including travel expenses), and a budget narrative that justifies the expense category (e.g., demonstrate how the funds will support your goals).

Awards by Nomination

No graduate student application is required for either of these awards.

Summer Graduate Fellowship

First Year Award

Additional Sources

Unique Opportunities

Occasionally, the department may be able to support graduate student professional development and research opportunities outside the annual spring cycle. See Appendix B of the Department of Sociology Graduate Handbook for details on eligibility and how to apply for the Karen Jennison and Kenneth Johnson Travel Award.

WSU Graduate School

Visit the Jobs and Funding webpage for information on additional opportunities at WSU.

Updated April, 2023.