Scholarships and Awards

The Nutritional Sciences Scholarship Committee reviews award/scholarship applications and provides its recommendations to the department head. Opportunities are available for advanced Ph.D. students, incoming graduate students in both the 4+1 MS and the Ph.D. programs, and undergraduate students. More scholarships are available for undergraduate students through the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

Graduate Students

Advanced Ph.D. Students

During their career advanced Ph.D. students can receive a $1000 Hamilton Eaton Award for Research Excellence, Shirley Gerrior Scholarship for Research Excellence, or Janina Czajkowski Award for Research Excellence. Students may only receive one of the three awards.

Students whose research impacts community/society (e.g. human research, epidemiology, translational research) are given preference for the Czajkowski award.

Eligibility Requirements

Academic Progress

  • In the Nutritional Sciences Ph.D. program at least 2 years prior to submitting an application
  • GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • Earned at least a “B” grade in all NUSC graduate courses
  • Currently enrolled in a NUSC graduate program

Research Productivity

  • Submitted at least 1 research manuscript as first author to a peer-reviewed journal
  • Presented at least 1 abstract as first author at a national or international science meeting

Additional Criteria Considered

  • Publication record
  • Internal/external research awards or recognition
  • Research grants/fellowships
  • Attendance at NUSC departmental seminars
  • Graduate leadership in NUSC
  • Participation in other internal/external service activities

Nomination Deadline

August 31

Incoming 4+1 Students

The Janina Czajkowski Scholarship serves as a recruitment mechanism that provides financial assistance for 1 to 3 incoming 4+1 MS students. This $3000 scholarship is disbursed over 2 semesters.

Selection Criteria

  • Minimum GPA of 3.5
  • Letter of support/nomination from the major advisor
  • Personal statement including financial need

Nomination Deadline

March 15 (Fall Admission)
October 1 (Spring Admission)

Incoming Ph.D. Students

The Margaret Ware Ph.D. Recruitment Scholarship provides funds equivalent to a 50% Graduate Assistantship (GA) stipend to supplement the 50% GA stipend provided by an advisor. This award provides funding for 3 years, contingent on satisfactory academic progress. Current MS students in the Department are not eligible for this scholarship.

Application

  • Upon identifying a prospective PhD student, a faculty advisor submits a 3-year plan to the Department Head that describes the academic milestones of the prospective student
  • Recipients are expected to become PhD candidates by the end of Year 2, and submit a grant application to the USDA predoctoral fellowship program in Year 3
  • Funds for each year will be released only when the previous year’s milestone has been achieved

Selection Criteria and Application Requirements

  • MS degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5
  • GRE (when available)
  • Evidence of awards, recognitions, and any prior scholarly or creative achievement by the nominee, such as publications and presentations
  • U.S. Citizen or permanent residency holder

Application Deadline

Year Round

Undergraduate Students

Applications Due March 15

Nutritional Sciences Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award

This $500 scholarship is awarded to 1-2 students annually who conduct research under the direction of a Nutritional Sciences faculty member

Selection Criteria

  • At least 2 semesters of research in a NUSC lab with at least 3 credits of independent study/honors thesis courses
  • Letter of recommendation from a faculty research advisor
  • Co-author of at least one paper or abstract (published or submitted), which may be disseminated via local, national, or international conferences or journal
  • Only 1 award allowed per student

Dorothy M. Burns Scholarship

This $2000 scholarship supports 1-2 students annually with financial needs

Selection Criteria

  • GPA higher than 2.0
  • Personal statement including financial need, career goal, and social, economic, educational, or other obstacles, if appropriate (300 words maximum)

Steg Family Scholarship

This $1000 scholarship recognizes 1-2 Nutritional Sciences undergraduate students annually who demonstrate excellent leadership in extracurricular activities and service to the Department

Selection Criteria

  • GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • Financial need may be considered
  • Personal statement including leadership experience and service to the Department (300 words maximum)

Margaret Ware Scholarship for Nutritional Sciences Excellence in Undergraduate Research

This $4000 scholarship supports 3-4 undergraduate students every summer who conduct research under the direction of a Nutritional Sciences faculty member

Selection Criteria

  • At least 1 semester of research in a NUSC lab with at least 3 credits of independent study/honors thesis courses
  • Letter of recommendation from faculty research advisor
  • Description of research project: The description should address project objectives, procedures and methods, and expected outcomes (1,000 words maximum)
  • Personal statement including financial need, and social, economic, educational, or other obstacles, if appropriate (300 words maximum)

Contact Us

Department Head

Ji-Young Lee, Ph.D., FAHA
Roy E. Jones Building, Room 211
ji-young.lee@uconn.edu

Graduate Program Director

Yangchao Luo, Ph.D.
Advanced Technology Laboratory, Room 211A
yangchao.luo@uconn.edu

Undergraduate Program Coordinator

Rhonda Puglisi, Ph.D., R.D.
Roy E. Jones Building, Room 123
rhonda.puglisi@uconn.edu