Graduate School Newsblog

Category: Announcements

Items that are time sensitive and require action

Fall 2026 Finishing Fellowship Winners

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The Graduate School is thrilled to announce the winners of the Fall 2026 Finishing Fellowship! This prestigious award recognizes the hard work and dedication of doctoral students in the final stages of their research. By providing financial support and valuable mentorship, the Finishing Fellowship empowers these exceptional scholars to complete their dissertations and make significant contributions to their fields of study. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and are excited to see the impact of their research.

The following students have been selected to receive the 2026 Fall Fellowship:

  • Tamim Adnan
  • Judy Long
  • Nontawat Srisapan
  • Josh Alele-beals
  • Adnan Hilal
  • Fathima Hameed Cherilakkudy
  • Oluwatosin Oyeniran
  • Sepideh Alimohammadi
  • Caleb Rother
  • Lucas Sheppard
  • Ian Norwood
  • Nick Petersen
  • Lior Rosenfeld
  • Travis Wavrunek
  • Sanan Appapillai
  • Ögetay Kayali
  • Ricardo Jaramillo Teran

Learn more about the students listed above on our blog under Fall 2026 Finishing Fellowships.

Finishing Fellowships provide support to PhD candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in The Michigan Tech Plan. Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

Congratulations to all the Fall 2026 Finishing Fellowship winners! We are excited to see what you accomplish in the coming months and years.

Find out more about the Finishing Fellowship and other awards available for graduate students at Michigan Technological University. You can also find additional funding information on our financial information webpage.

 

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Submission and Formatting 101: Master the Dissertation, Thesis, and Report Process

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Students who are completing a dissertation, thesis, or report are invited to join the Graduate School to learn about the resources available to them to assist in scheduling their defense, formatting their documents, and submitting their documents.  In one afternoon, you can learn everything you need to be successful and complete your degree in a timely fashion!  Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend.  Attend the entire event, or stop in for the seminar that interests you.

  • When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 2 – 4pm (see detailed schedule below)
  • Who: Students completing a dissertation, thesis or report; faculty and staff who assist students with submission
  • Where: Virtual and in-person (Admin 404 – limit for room is 30); (register to attend online and receive participation instructions)
  • Registration: Please register to receive handouts via email or attend online. The seminar will be available online as well as on campus.

If you are unable to join us, the event will be taped and available online after the event. The previous semester’s seminars are always available online.

Information on submitting, formatting, and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

Detailed schedule

  • 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Submission 101
    Learn what is required to submit your document to the Graduate School and the deadlines for the upcoming semester.  Best for students who are completing their degree this semester or next semester.
  • 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Formatting 101-103
    Learn about templates, checking your document with Adobe Acrobat, and how to use copyrighted materials. You’ll also learn where resources are on the web page so you can learn more about the topics that interest you.
  • 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Questions
    Have a question that hasn’t been answered yet? We’ll be available to answer any additional questions you have

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Spring 2027 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

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Applications for Spring 2027 finishing fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. on October 14, 2026 to the Graduate School. 

Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online. Please note that the process for student applications and advisor references has been changed for the Spring 2027 application period. Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD student.
  2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a finishing fellow.
  3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a finishing fellowship.
  4. Must be eligible for candidacy (tuition charged at Research Mode rate) at the time of application.
  5. Must not hold a final oral examination (“defense”) prior to the start of the award semester.

Finishing Fellowships provide support to PhD candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in The Michigan Tech Plan. Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

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Nominations open for the 2026 CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award

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Nominations are now open for the 2026 Council of Graduate Schools (CGS)/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award. Please submit nominations to the Graduate School no later than 4pm, May 28, 2026, following our online instructions. This year, nominations are being accepted from dissertations in the fields of:

  1. Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering
  2. Social Sciences (note: history is classed within the humanities and is not a field of competition in 2026)

Michigan Tech may nominate one student in each field. PhD students who have completed all of their degree requirements between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026, are eligible. The fields of competition for 2027 will be Biological/Life Sciences and Humanities and Fine Arts (including history).

A nomination packet must be submitted by the department chair or college dean to our google form no later than 4 p.m. on May 28, 2026. Contact Debra Charlesworth (gradschool@mtu.edu) if you have any questions about the competition.

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Three Huskies Honored with the NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

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Michigan Tech Graduate School excited to see three of our students’ hard work recognized on a national stage, being awarded the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP).

The GRFP is one of the most competitive honors in the country, designed to support students who have the potential to become lifelong leaders in STEM. For our winners, this means more than just a prestigious title. It provides three years of funding to dive deep into the research the winners are passionate about.

Fall 2026 Fellowship Winners

Molly Vander Werp

Josh Dafoe

Lenka Doskocil

Behind every great researcher is a team of supportive mentors. We want to extend a huge “thank you” and congratulations to Dr. Kristin Brzeski, Dr. Sarah Hoy, Dr. Bo Chen, and Dr. Rodney Chimner. Applying for the GRFP is an incredibly intense process, often requiring months of drafting, revising, and late nights. The dedication these advisors show in helping their students navigate this path is what makes Michigan Tech such a special place to pursue a graduate degree. With their mentorship these students are able turn ambitious ideas into award-winning research.

Molly, Josh, and Lenka, Congratulations! This award is a direct result of your late nights, your persistence through difficult data, and your vision for the future of science. We can’t wait to see the impact your work will have in the coming years.

Interested in applying for the NSF GRFP next cycle? The Graduate School offers workshops and peer-review sessions every year to help you put your best foot forward. Keep an eye on our Funding Opportunities page for upcoming dates!

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Submission and Formatting 101: Master the Dissertation, Thesis, and Report Process

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Students who are completing a dissertation, thesis, or report are invited to join the Graduate School to learn about the resources available to them to assist in scheduling their defense, formatting their documents, and submitting their documents.  In one afternoon, you can learn everything you need to be successful and complete your degree in a timely fashion!  Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend.  Attend the entire event, or stop in for the seminar that interests you.

  • When: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 2 – 4pm (see detailed schedule below)
  • Who: Students completing a dissertation, thesis or report; faculty and staff who assist students with submission
  • Where:Virtual and in-person (Admin 404 – limit for room is 30); (register to attend online and receive participation instructions)
  • Registration: Please register to receive handouts via email or attend online. The seminar will be available online as well as on campus.

If you are unable to join us, the event will be taped and available online after the event. The previous semester’s seminars are always available online.

Information on submitting, formatting, and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

Detailed schedule

  • 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Submission 101
    Learn what is required to submit your document to the Graduate School and the deadlines for the upcoming semester.  Best for students who are completing their degree this semester or next semester.
  • 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Formatting 101-103
    Learn about templates, checking your document with Adobe Acrobat, and how to use copyrighted materials. You’ll also learn where resources are on the web page so you can learn more about the topics that interest you.
  • 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Questions
    Have a question that hasn’t been answered yet? We’ll be available to answer any additional questions you have
Continue Reading →

Fall 2026 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

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Applications for Fall 2026 finishing fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. on June 10, 2026 to the Graduate School. 

Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online. Please note that instructions for advisor recommendation letters have changed for the Fall 2026 application period. Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD student.
  2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a finishing fellow.
  3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a finishing fellowship.
  4. Must be eligible for candidacy (tuition charged at Research Mode rate) at the time of application.
  5. Must not hold a final oral examination (“defense”) prior to the start of the award semester.

Finishing Fellowships provide support to PhD candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in The Michigan Tech Plan. Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

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Michigan Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) Fellowships Awarded to Six Michigan Tech Graduate Students

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The Graduate School is pleased to announce the recipients of the Michigan Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) Graduate Fellowships. Sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), these fellowships are awarded to students who are pursuing research in fields aligned with NASA’s strategic interests, including STEM education and space-related science and technology.

This year, six exceptional graduate students from Michigan Tech have been selected for this honor. Their diverse research projects span from atmospheric physics to advanced mechanical engineering, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of space-related research on our campus.

MSGC Fellowship Winners

The MSGC fellowship program aims to foster awareness of and education in space-related science and technology while supporting the next generation of researchers. Each fellowship provides funding to support the students’ research expenses and stipends, allowing them to focus on innovative projects that contribute to our understanding of the Earth and the universe beyond.

We are incredibly proud of these students for their hard work and dedication to their respective fields. Receiving an MSGC fellowship is a testament to the high caliber of research being conducted by our graduate students and their potential to make significant contributions to the scientific community and NASA’s mission.

The Graduate School congratulates Gabby, Nicholas, Sam, Mari, Samantha, and Dayana on this prestigious achievement and looks forward to seeing the results of their funded research.

For more information on the Michigan Space Grant Consortium and future funding opportunities, please visit the MSGC website or the Graduate School’s funding page.

Congratulations Image
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Nominations Sought for KCP Future Faculty Fellowships

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Applications are being accepted for the KCP Future Faculty Fellowship, a program funded by the State of Michigan.  The purpose of the King-Chávez-Parks Future Faculty Fellowship Program is to increase the pool of academically and economically disadvantaged candidates pursuing faculty teaching careers in post-secondary education.  

Funding may begin in fall of 2026. Applications are due no later than 4pm on April 20, 2026.

Applicants will complete the following steps:

KCP fellowships provide students up to $20,000 (MS students) or $35,000 (PhD students) to pursue their degrees.  Funds may be used to support students, including faculty and staff, pursuing degrees at Michigan Tech.  For Michigan Tech students, the Graduate School and nominating department must also contribute matching funds to help support the student.
Complete information about eligibility criteria and materials needed for an application is available on our web page. Please note that applications will be submitted through the MILogin Citizens Portal. Questions about eligibility or the application procedure can be directed to Dr. Debra Charlesworth. Applicants may work with Lea Marlor to prepare their educational and career goal statement.

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Submission and Formatting 101: Master the Dissertation, Thesis, and Report Process

Published
By

Students who are completing a dissertation, thesis, or report are invited to join the Graduate School to learn about the resources available to them to assist in scheduling their defense, formatting their documents, and submitting their documents.  In one afternoon, you can learn everything you need to be successful and complete your degree in a timely fashion!  Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend.  Attend the entire event, or stop in for the seminar that interests you.

  • When: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 2 – 4pm (see detailed schedule below)
  • Who: Students completing a dissertation, thesis or report; faculty and staff who assist students with submission
  • Where:Virtual and in-person (Admin 404 – limit for room is 30); (register to attend online and receive participation instructions)
  • Registration: Please register to receive handouts via email or attend online. The seminar will be available online as well as on campus.

If you are unable to join us, the event will be taped and available online after the event. The previous semester’s seminars are always available online.

Information on submitting, formatting, and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

Detailed schedule

  • 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Submission 101
    Learn what is required to submit your document to the Graduate School and the deadlines for the upcoming semester.  Best for students who are completing their degree this semester or next semester.
  • 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Formatting 101-103
    Learn about templates, checking your document with Adobe Acrobat, and how to use copyrighted materials. You’ll also learn where resources are on the web page so you can learn more about the topics that interest you.
  • 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Questions Have a question that hasn’t been answered yet? We’ll be available to answer any additional questions you have.

Continue Reading →