Graduate School Newsblog

Tag: Fellowship

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 Fellowship – Summer 2026 – Sam Jensen

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Sam Jensen, MS in Geophysics, 2026

Hey! My name is Sam Jensen, and I’m a first year Master’s student at MTU. I am involved with the GMES department’s drone based geophysics program, focusing on magnetic surveys around the Keweenaw Peninsula/greater U.P. area. I am originally from Gladstone, MI and have been passionate about teaching during my time as a grad student. I hope to one day become a professor of geophysics, with the main goal of inspiring students as I have been inspired. I am also involved with Graduate Student Government at MTU, and was recently elected president of the organization.

My great grandfather, Paul Serafin, attended this university when it was still called the Michigan College of Mining and Technology (all the way back in 1932!). My grandfather, David Palo, was born and raised in the Keweenaw and I was lucky enough to explore this area with him since I was a small child. I knew MTU was where I wanted to be, but it took me a few years before I realized exactly what I wanted to do. If there’s one thing I’d like to say to undergraduates, it’s to never be afraid to switch paths. Money plays a large role in many peoples’ career decisions, but it shouldn’t be the largest factor. As cliché as it sounds, I think following your heart is more meaningful than (almost) any amount of zeros in a starting salary.

I am happy to have gotten my undergraduate degree in Applied Geophysics also from MTU. In my time here, I have realized how special the Keweenaw Peninsula truly is. The location, history, geology, and people are all so unique here. I am an avid outdoorsman – from backpacking in summer to ice fishing in winter, I am grateful to call this place my home.

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Michigan Space Grant Consortium Fellowship – Summer 2026 – Mari Leland

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Mari Leland, PhD in Biological Sciences, 2026

I began my Ph.D. at Michigan Technological University in the Fall of 2024, joining Dr. Vick-Majors’ lab and the Biological Sciences department. My research focuses on annual patterns in lake microbial communities and organic matter, emphasizing the role of winter in shaping year-round processes. With a background in biological engineering, especially bioinformatics, my work integrates my passion for environmental sciences with emerging genetic technologies to gain a deeper understanding of complex ecological processes.


Through collaboration with a network of scientists across North America, I study how lakes spanning gradients of organic matter and phosphorus are impacted by winter conditions. Simply, I view lakes through the lens of color, ‘brownness’ vs ‘greenness’, to understand how changing winters may impact annual patterns in diverse lakes. I look forward to not only addressing these questions but translating this information from the literature into publicly accessible formats. As a born and raised Minnesotan, I understand the importance of lakes in everyday life and want to connect my science to the communities who experience and depend on these ecosystems firsthand.


I’m very grateful to my advisor, Dr. Vick-Majors, for her mentorship as I make my way through my program and her encouragement as I pursue my interests through my research. I would like to thank the project partners and collaborators whose hard work makes my research possible. I’m also thankful to my peers and colleagues who provide support and perspectives that strengthen my work.

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Michigan Space Grant Consortium Fellowship – Summer 2026 – Gabrielle DuCheny

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Gabrielle DuCheny, MS in Mechanical Engineering, 2026

I am a first-year master’s student in Mechanical Engineering. I started my schooling at Michigan Tech in 2021, getting my bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering along with a minor in ecology. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in spring 2025 and after spending a summer doing research work in acoustics and 3D printing I decided to get my master’s in Mechanical Engineering.

I have always loved nature and the outdoors for as long as I can remember and wanted to help protect it and the peacefulness and beauty it provides. My research is focused on acoustics, specifically psychoacoustics and how people perceive noise. For my research I am helping to test and design drone blades that are less annoying keeping outdoor areas pleasant to be in. I have learned a lot about acoustics since starting my masters and it has presented opportunities for me to gain skills in acoustic testing and work on multiple different projects in the field. As a graduate student I also had a chance to TA for a lab this past semester which I think has helped me improve my teaching skills and was something that I really enjoyed.

I am thankful for the opportunity to further my research through the MSGC as well as the opportunity that I have been given to further my education through Michigan Tech. I am also grateful for my advisor Dr. Sharma for helping me to grow academically as I work on my research.

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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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Setting Up a Non-Payroll Direct Deposit

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Non-Payroll Direct Deposit allows Michigan Tech to deposit non-payroll payments (such as travel expenses, flexible spending accounts, business meals and banquets) directly into your bank account.

Follow the steps below to set it up.

Prefer a visual walkthrough? Watch this quick tutorial.

A printable handout is also available for download.

Important: Non-Payroll Direct Deposit is separate from payroll or stipend direct deposit.

Step 1

Log in to Experience using your Michigan Tech username and ISO password.

Find the Work tab from the top menu bar and scroll down to find the Payroll card

Payroll menu showing the Enable Direct Deposit Updates option.

Step 2

From the Payroll Card, select Enable Direct Deposit Updates.

Enable Direct Deposit Updates link in the Payroll menu.
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Summer 2026 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

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Applications for Summer 2026 finishing fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m. on February 24, 2026 to the Graduate School. Please email applications to gradschool@mtu.edu.

Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online. 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 summer 2026 fellowships from The DeVlieg Foundation

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Due to the generous support of The DeVlieg Foundation, the Graduate School is happy to accept nominations for 2026 summer fellowships.

Each department, college, or interdisciplinary PhD program may nominate one eligible student. The recipient will  receive a $11,000 stipend for summer 2026 plus tuition support for  three research credits. The DeVlieg funds ($10,000) will be used to cover the cost of tuition, and partial stipend. The graduate program, department, or PI must commit to supplementing these funds to ensure a total stipend of $11,000.

Eligible students will meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Must be conducting research in engineering; projects at the intersection of engineering, wildlife, and/or biology are particularly encouraged
  2. Must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
  3. Must be enrolled in a doctoral program.
  4. Must be a doctoral candidate, or eligible for candidacy at the time of application.
  5. Must be nominated by the student’s graduate program.  Each department, college, or interdisciplinary PhD program may nominate one eligible student.
  6. Must not be supported by another funding mechanism while supported by The DeVlieg Foundation (part-time job, fellowship, GTA, GRA, etc.).

Nominations are due no later than 4pm on January 21, 2026 to the Graduate School. Graduate programs will upload their nominee’s application as a single PDF file.

Please see our web page for details on the application procedure and materials needed.  Each program may determine its own internal selection procedure.Please contact the Graduate School with any questions.

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NASA Michigan Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) Fellowships awarded to Eleanor Zimmermann and Christi LeCaptain

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Eleanor Zimmermann was selected for her hard work, creative thinking and analysis skills, diligence and attention to detail to successfully getting two journal papers published about two NASA research projects this year, one in Advances in Space Research about lunar ice detection using a heated cone penetrometer and one in the ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering about using a melt probe as drill for Mars water extraction from buried glaciers; she also had two NASA proposals successfully written and submitted.

Christi LeCaptain was selected for her leadership on the NASA STTR-phase 2 project in collaboration with Lunar Outpost. This required leading a team of up to 10 students in the building of three separate large scale hardware test setups for testing with regolith in and outside the dusty thermal vacuum chamber in the PSTDL. She showed leadership in coordination, delegation as well as doing her own technical work on the programming of the software portion and the manufacturing and testing of the initial setups.

Both Eleanor and Christi work with Dr. Paul van Susante (MAE) in the Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab.

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