Funding Opportunities

Tuition Awards and Research Funding 

SMHS and the Department of Clinical Research and Leadership offers multiple, competitive awards for PhD students in the Translational Health Sciences program.   

Tuition awards are paid directly to the student’s tuition bill to offset the cost of tuition and fees. Students receiving additional financial support (e.g., tuition remission) are not eligible to receive direct stipends. Students cannot receive tuition awards that exceed their overall cost of attendance. If you have any questions about your aid eligibility, please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance.  

Research awards are paid directly to the student in the form of a stipend. These funds may be used to support work related to dissertation research including the cost of transcription, software, participant recruitment, and other relevant expenses or to support dissemination activities related to the dissertation research. Additional details on requirements (e.g., annual reporting and budgeting requirements) are provided below. Dissertation Research and Dissemination awards are offered each semester. Students who are unsuccessful in one semester may reapply in a following semester.

Tuition Awards

Corcoran Mentored Scholarship Tuition Award: The Mary Corcoran Mentored Scholarship Award provides up to $10,000 in tuition support, per year, during the didactic phase of the PhD program only (I.e., semesters two through six) for a potential total of $20,000. Students must submit a letter of support (signed and on letterhead) from an academic mentor who is a full-time faculty member within the division of Health Sciences. The mentor should have an active program of research and this letter should speak to the mentor’s willingness to support the student as they move through the PhD in Translational Health Sciences Program including but not limited to potential independent study opportunities. 

Corcoran Mentored Scholarship Award Application

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Tuition Award: The DEIJ Scholar Program provides up to $15,000 in tuition support, per year, during the didactic phase of the PhD program only, for a potential total of $30,000, (I.e., semesters two through six). This award supports work aligned with the School of Medicine and Health Sciences’  commitment to positively impact:  

  • Diversity: representing varied perspectives and social identities. 

  • Equity: a fair and constant redistribution of resources and power. 

  • Inclusion: a culture where everyone feels safe, validated, included, and welcomed. 

  • Justice: dismantling systemic barriers to equity. 

DEIJ Award Application

Further details about these awards are available on the application form. 

Annual Tuition Awards Timing  

Applications Open 

Applications Close 

Award Notice 

1st Week of Fall Semester (late August/early September) 

Third Monday in December 

Approximately on the Second Monday in January 
Research Awards

Dissertation Research & Dissemination Award: The Dissertation Research & Dissemination Awards each provide up to $600 in funding to eligible PhD in Translational Health Sciences students and candidates. The purpose of these awards is to assist students with data collection and analysis and/or disseminating the results of their research. There are multiple awards available each semester. Students may apply once for an award for data collection and analysis and once for a dissemination award. Students may not apply for both awards in the same semester.

Dissertation & Dissemination Research Award Application

Lotrecchiano-Moscatt Team Science Award: The L-M Team Science Award is a monetary award for students who demonstrate a commitment to advance the scholarship of team science through research and advocacy. Students may only receive the award one time.

Lotrecchiano-Moscatt Team Science Award Application

Further details about these awards are available on the application form. 

Semester 

Application Opens 

Application Closes 

Award Notices 

Fall 

1st day of Fall Semester 

Final day of Fall Semester 

1st day of Spring Semester 

Spring  

1st day of Spring Semester 

Final day of Spring Semester 

1st day of Summer Semester 

Summer 

1st day of Summer Semester 

Final day of Summer Semester 

1st day of Fall Semester 
How do I apply?

Applications for these awards are available on the PhD website (deadlines and award announcements are available under the “Tuition Awards” and “Dissertation Research Awards” menus). Click the button provided to request an application packet. The application packet includes instructions and the application form.

All applications must be submitted in their entirety at one time (i.e., students should submit their applications, CV, letters of support, and writing prompts in a single package).  

Students typically receive notification of awards within four weeks of the application deadline.  

Many questions can be answered by reviewing the FAQs. Questions about any of these opportunities should be directed to the PhD program by emailing PhDTHS [at] gwu.edu (PhDTHS[at]gwu[dot]edu) 

Tuition Award FAQs

How many awards can I receive?

  • Students may apply for multiple awards but can only accept a single award during the didactic phase of their program.
  • Students may apply multiple times for a dissertation research award but may only accept a single award during their dissertation phase.

Do I need to maintain a specific GPA to keep my award?

  • Students must maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA and must remain in good academic standing and professional comportment to maintain their award.

When am I eligible to receive a dissertation research award?

  • Students are considered PhD candidates upon completion of the dissertation proposal defense. After completing this requirement, students are eligible for dissertation research awards.  

What happens if I go on a Leave of Absence during the program?

  • Students who go on a Leave of Absence (LOA), or decelerate for any reason, are not eligible to maintain their award 

I received a dissertation research award - what now?

  • Students are required to report on the progress of their dissertation and must present to current students at residency weekend. Specific details, dates, and expectations will be provided in the award letter.