What is the Louise T. Dosdall Endowed Fellowship?
The Louise T. Dosdall Endowed Fellowship (Dosdall Fellowship) is for female-identified doctoral students pursuing research or study in Natural or Physical Sciences and Engineering.
How much is the award?
$25,000 stipend, academic year tuition at the general graduate rate for up to 14 credits per semester, and subsidized health insurance through the Graduate Assistant Health Plan for up to one calendar year
Up to two (2) fellowships are available for 2024-25.
Who Is Eligible?
- U.S. citizens, permanent residents, MN Dream Act students, and International students
- PhD students or candidates in good standing with their program at the University of Minnesota
- PhD students or candidates who have completed at least one year of graduate studies at the University of Minnesota at the time of application
- Previous Dosdall Fellowship recipients are NOT eligible to apply again
- Only graduate programs in which female-identified students are underrepresented are eligible to nominate
Programs are limited to one (1) nomination. Applicants should contact their graduate program for internal review instructions.
How DO I APPLY?
Program Nomination required. Please reach out to your Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Program Coordinator (link).
For Program Nomination, log in to the electronic nomination form.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE?
The nomination window is currently closed. The Dosdall Fellowship is offered every other year. The call for 2026-27 nominations will open October 2025.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION MATERIALS?
Upload a single PDF of the application materials in the following order:
- Research Statement, see details below
- Curriculum Vitae, see details below
- Unofficial UMN transcript(s)
- IRB/IACUC Documentation, see details below
- Two (2) letters of recommendation, see details below
Required PDF title format: Nominee Last Name, First Name - Name of Graduate Program
APPLICATION MATERIAL DETAILS
RESEARCH PROJECT STATEMENT
- Two-page maximum, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman type, 1-inch margins
- Key references, diagrams, or pictures may be included (they are not required) on a single additional appendix page (no formatting requirements)
- Include a working title for your research project at the top of the proposal
- After the title, begin the statement with a 100-word abstract.
- Describe the work already completed, the current status of the project, and whether or not it is to form the basis of your dissertation
- If your research project is part of a larger group project, be specific about your role and independent contribution(s)
- Explain how your research will be completed if this request is not funded or if other needed funds are not forthcoming
CURRICULUM VITAE
- Two-page maximum, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman type, 1-inch margins
- Focus on activities relevant to your research, publications, presentations, academic accomplishments, and awards
IRB/IACUC DOCUMENTATION
Please consult the IRB and/or IACUC webpages for additional information.
If your research involves Human or Animal Subjects, provide the date of IRB/IACUC approval and documentation of approval (1-2 pages).
If your project involves human or animal subjects but IRB/IACUC told you that approval is not needed then provide the email or letter stating this decision. If your Advisor has IRB/IACUC approval that covers this research project then provide that approval page (1-2 pages).
If your research does not involve Human or Animal subjects then submit the Human Subjects Statement (requires Advisor signature).
If your IRB/IACUC application is still pending, provide documentation to show the submitted request (1-2 pages). Once received, IRB/IACUC approval can be submitted directly to gsfellow@umn.edu. If awarded a Dosdall Fellowship, funding is contingent upon proof of IRB/IACUC approval and/or decision.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
- Applicants will request two (2) letters of recommendation to be included in the single PDF uploaded by the program
- One letter of recommendation must come from applicant’s advisor or co-advisor
- Second letter of recommendation can come from either the applicant’s co-advisor or another faculty member of choice