SREB Doctoral Scholars Program

The VCU Graduate School has partnered with the SREB Doctoral Scholars Program to provide support services to eligible (see below) students seeking their Ph.D. and planning to become college or university professors. Preference will be given to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The VCU University Award is for scholars expecting admission for the Fall 2025 semester. The University Award offers three years of program support. In addition, the award provides professional development support and covers expenses associated with attending the Compact for Faculty Diversity Annual Institute on Teaching and Mentoring.

For the first two years, the Graduate School will pay university tuition only (not fees), $25,000 stipend support, and administrative cost. In the student’s third year, the school/department will pay university tuition and stipend support for each student commensurate with similar fields who are at the same level and administrative cost. The school/department will pay the university fees for this Institutional Award.

The VCU Graduate School is pleased to announce the 2025-2026 Doctoral Scholars Program, University Award. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2025.

Eligibility requirements

In the selection of a diverse group of participants, the University shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin (including ethnicity), age, sex, parenting status, marital status, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

To be considered, applicants must meet these requirements:

• Must be accepted into a campus-based Ph.D. program starting Fall 2025.
• Must hold (or will receive) a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university by the beginning of the fall semester of the year of the application. The program particularly encourages applicants who seek Ph.D.s in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or have legal permanent resident status.
• Must not be employed outside of your department or discipline.
• Must plan to become a full-time college or university faculty member after earning a Ph.D.

Applicants

Please complete the Google Form application. Application materials include the following:

• One or two-page letter of interest (including a statement of teaching goals)
  • Include department, discipline or major field of study
  • Include area of specialization
• Transmittal letter of recommendation from the graduate program director, department chair or associate dean of graduate education (may be included in the application materials section or submitted to graddean@vcu.edu to be attached to the completed application)

Please note that applications will also be reviewed based on letters of recommendation submitted with the graduate admissions application. If you have any questions, please contact graddean@vcu.edu.