Awards

Graduate Division

Research Assistant/Mentorship Program (RAMP) and Humanities Research Assistantships (HRA)

Purpose:

The Research Assistantship/Mentorship Program (RAMP) and Humanities Research Assistantship (HRA) Award provide a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) position to allow students to work on their dissertation research. Research assistantships and mentorships both form an important link in the continuum of support for academically talented graduate students. The distinctive purpose of RAMP/HRA is to assist recipients in acquiring and developing advanced research skills under faculty mentorship. The expected outcome is an increase in the number of students who persist toward and complete the Ph.D. degree and show promise as candidates for faculty appointments.

Eligibility:

The nominee/recipient must

  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of the US.
  • Enhance the diversity of the department.
  • Be in good standing.
  • Show the feasibility and validity of the proposed research project. faculty commitment to supervise the student, and significance and originality in research.
  • Complete the "Diversity Award Nomination Form" or pages 4a and 4b of the Admission Application.

The recipient may not have previously received three quarters of support from the program for which he/she is nominated.

Profile:

  • While providing support for dissertation research, the RAMP and HRA are intended to enhance the mentoring of doctoral students during the third or fourth year or more of graduate study.
  • The department must submit a letter of nomination, along with a description of students’ research.
  • Designated faculty mentors must submit a letter agreeing to supervise appointees.
  • Students must be actively engaged in scholarly research leading to the dissertation topic.
  • RAMP/HRA recipients must function as a GSR. 
  • Recipients are eligible for one, two, or three quarters (includes summers) of support.
  • A $4500 salary per term (summer, fall, winter, spring) plus *fees is available for students who have NOT advanced to PhD candidacy (*applicable fall, winter, and spring terms only).
  • A $4800 salary per term (summer, fall, winter, spring) plus *fees is available for students who have advanced to PhD candidacy (*applicable fall, winter, and spring terms only).
  • Other employment is prohibited.

Appointees must submit a quarterly evaluation of their project no more than 30 days following the end of the appointment period.

Application Procedure:

Along with the departmental nomination, the following is required of appointees:

  1. The completion and submission of the Diversity Nomination Form or Supplementary pages 4a and 4b in the Graduate Admission Application.
  2. The proposed study or project described in a plan not to exceed 1,000 words. A writing sample may be included.
  3. A proposal, including material under the following headings –
    • Objective(s) of the study
    • Background
    • Research approach and procedures
    • Significance of research
    • Schedule of research
    • Academic plan for the upcoming year
    • Applicant's qualifications and preparation for this project
  4. A letter from a faculty mentor who will supervise the student’s proposed research project, discussing the project and the student’s qualifications.

Supplementation: Employment supplementation is not permitted.

General deadline and award notification:  April