DSP State-Funded Scholars

General information

Participating states
and eligible institutions in them

Most of the 16 SREB member states participate in the Doctoral Scholars Program. Only the participating SREB states and eligible institutions are listed below. If your state or institution is not listed below please go to the Institutional Partner page.

Alabama

Auburn University

University of Alabama

University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of South Alabama

Alabama A&M University

Alabama State University         

Tuskegee University

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Arkansas

Arkansas State University

University of Central Arkansas

University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

University of Arkansas for Medical Services

Georgia

Applicants applying in Georgia must submit verification from the university of in-state residency status. This is not the same as in-state tuition status granted to some out-of-state residents.

Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia State University

Medical College of Georgia

University of Georgia

Kentucky

Kentucky funds scholars at the dissertation level.

University of Kentucky

University of Louisville

Louisiana

To participate in the SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program, Ph.D.-granting state universities in Louisiana must apply annually to the Louisiana Board of Regents. An interested scholar must contact the graduate dean to determine if the university is participating in the Doctoral Scholars Program and if he/she is eligible to apply at the university to receive the award.

Maryland

Maryland will fund one dissertation award for 2024-25

Morgan State University
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
 

South Carolina

Applicants applying in South Carolina must submit verification from the university of an in-state residency status. This is not the same as in-state tuition status granted to some out-of-state residents.

Clemson University

Medical University of South Carolina

University of South Carolina

Virginia

Applicants applying in Virginia must submit verification from the university of in-state residency status. This is not the same as in-state tuition status granted to some out-of-state residents.

George Mason University

James Madison University

Old Dominion University

University of Virginia

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

West Virginia

West Virginia University

SREB States That Do Not Currently Participate

Delaware

Florida

Mississippi

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Tennessee

Texas

General information

Doctoral Award

Three-to-Five-Year Package

You may apply for this award if you have:

  1. Been admitted into a Ph.D. program and not begun the second year of doctoral study.
  2. Applied to a doctoral program, but have not been notified of admittance by the fellowship application deadline. Only applicants who can provide proof of admittance will be considered for the award.

You must be enrolled in or have applied to a participating institution in a participating state listed on the Participating States and Institutions web page.

The Doctoral Award offers three years of direct program support ($20,000 annual stipend) and two years of institutional support from the scholar’s college, university and/or department. Each recipient also is awarded up to five years of university-covered tuition and fees (unless the institution prohibits a fee waiver). In addition, the program provides professional development support and covers expenses associated with attending the annual conference (Institute on Teaching and Mentoring).

General information

Dissertation Award

One-Year Package

You may apply for this award if you have completed all course work and comprehensive/ preliminary exams and have defended (or will defend) the dissertation prospectus successfully before the academic year begins. You must be enrolled in or have applied to a participating institution in a participating state listed on the Participating States and Institutions web page.

The Dissertation Award offers a one-year, $20,000 stipend, university-covered tuition and fees (unless the institution prohibits a fee waiver), a $500 research allowance and professional development support. It also covers expenses associated with attending the annual conference (Institute on Teaching and Mentoring).

General information

DSP Fellowship Application Process

Complete and submit all the materials below through the online application. 

  • Take the eligibility quiz to see if you are eligible to apply.
  • Fill out the doctoral or dissertation web application form. 
  • Provide all the materials listed below: 
    • Letter of interest/personal statement (including statement of teaching goals). See FAQs page for guidelines. 
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (can be unofficial copies)
    • Letter or email providing confirmation of acceptance to a doctoral program
    • Verification of U.S. citizenship 
      • Birth certificate or U.S. passport 
      • Permanent resident I.D. card (only if the applicant was not born in the U.S.) 
    • Verification from the university of in-state residency status if applying to Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina or Virginia. This is not the same as in-state tuition status, which is sometimes granted to out-of-state scholars. 
      • Residency is determined by the institution. The in-state residency document can normally be obtained from the university registrar/residency office. 
    • If applying for the one-year Dissertation Award: Verification from the department chairperson of successfully passing the preliminary/comprehensive exams and successful defense of the dissertation prospectus before the start of the academic year.