2009 UC DIGSSS Fellows Program

Program Purpose

• to provide financial support for doctoral students in the social sciences who lack other opportunities for funding,
• to facilitate close working relationships between faculty and student during the early stages of graduate education,
• encouraging a high level of creative scholarship and research productivity that prepares students for successful academic careers,
• to promote timely degree progress

Award

A maximum $5,000 stipend is offered to participants who engage in the summer activities offered through the UC DIGSSS program. Travel funds (up to $500) will be available on a reimbursement basis to support the student's travel to attend a professional meeting in their field during the next academic year (i.e., Fall 2009 through Spring 2010)

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, first-year doctoral students, in good academic standing, in one of the SBE fields or others (see below for listing) and be pursuing science-based research in the social sciences. Students who contribute to the diversity of the graduate student body and the academic profession, including members of groups underrepresented in doctoral studies in SBE fields are encourage to apply.

Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Fields of Specialization

Anthropology, Archeology, Economics (Business Administration not eligible), Geography, History of Science, Linguistics, Philosophy of Science, Political Science, Psychology (counseling areas not eligible), Sociology, and Urban Planning. Other interdisciplinary fields in the social sciences also will be considered, but as with the SBE fields listed here the students' research interests must be "science-based" to be eligible.

Program Expectations

During the summer between their first and second years students are expected to participate in a faculty-mentored project that strengthens their active academic engagement and advances their degree progress. Participation may include, for example, conducting a research project leading to a master's paper or a required research paper; gaining familiarity in a research area by preparing a literature review; acquiring analytical, methodological, or technical skills in the student's field; preparing a paper for conference presentation, and so forth. It is expected that the faculty mentor will be in residence during the summer and committed to working closely with the student.

The entire group of student participants and their mentors will be asked to attend occasional meetings to discuss their specific goals and progress and to provide general feedback on their program. The Graduate Division will offer selected programmatic activities as part of this program that include workshops on various topics (e.g., presenting a paper, human subjects protection issues, writing for publication, career opportunities etc.).

All participants must complete the online Human Subjects Protection Course. In order to qualify for the travel reimbursement, students must submit to the Graduate Division a copy of the certificate of course completion.

In addition to participation in the summer program, UC DIGSSS Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in future workshops, activities, and events. They will have access to support services throughout their academic careers at UCLA.

Program Dates

The program runs from the last week in June through the first week of September 2009.

Deadline

The deadline for receipt of all application materials and supporting documents is April 3, 2009. Applications will be accepted after deadline until all available awards have been filled.

How To Apply (Non-UC DIGSSS Fellows)

A complete application must include the following components:

1. A nomination letter from the Chair of your department.
    
2. A completed Online Application Form.
    
3. The Graduate Fellowships Letter of Recommendation Cover Form (iPDF-190KB)
   plus a letter on departmental letterhead from the faculty member who will serve as the mentor, describing the mentor relationship and the project that the student will complete during the summer. If a mentoring relationship has already been established between applicant and faculty member, describe additional mentoring activities that would occur during this period. The recommendation must include the Cover Form.
    
4. An Overview of Summer Project (iPDF-202KB)
   A brief (1-2 pages) proposal outlining the academic goals and plan of activities for the summer.
    
5. The 2009-10 UC DIGSSS Fellows Program - Diversity Form (iPDF-204KB)
    
6. An unofficial copy of your Graduate Transcript (with Fall 2008 grades posted). Do not submit a Degree Progress Report (DPR) or URSA report.
    
7. A copy of your Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

How To Activate the Departmental Award (Current UC DIGSSS Fellows)

A complete application must include the following components:

1. A completed Online Application Form.
    
2. The Graduate Fellowships Letter of Recommendation Cover Form (iPDF-190KB)
   plus a letter on departmental letterhead from the faculty member who will serve as the mentor, describing the mentor relationship and the project that the student will complete during the summer. If a mentoring relationship has already been established between applicant and faculty member, describe additional mentoring activities that would occur during this period. The recommendation must include the Cover Form.
    
3. An Overview of Summer Project (iPDF-202KB)
   A brief (1-2 pages) proposal outlining the academic goals and plan of activities for the summer.
    
4. The 2009-10 UC DIGSSS Fellows Program - Diversity Form (iPDF-204KB)
    
5. An unofficial copy of your Graduate Transcript (with Fall 2008 grades posted). Do not submit a Degree Progress Report (DPR) or URSA report.
    
6. A copy of your Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

All documents must be returned to:

UCLA Outreach, Diversity & Fellowships
ATTN: Dr. Heather P. Tarleton
Graduate Division
1252 Murphy Hall, Box 951419
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1419

For Further Information Contact

Heather P. Tarleton, M.P.A.P., Ph.D., Program Director, UC DIGSSS at htarleton@gdnet.ucla.edu or (310) 825-3829

Application Status

Check the status of your application after you complete the online form.