Accelerated PhD Opportunity
UAF is committed to growing doctoral-level research in Alaska, supporting established
researchers and their Alaska-focused research in meeting that goal, and strengthening
collaborations with other Alaska research agencies, industries or organizations. UAF
is striving
to become recognized as an R1 University, a designation awarded to universities with
very high
research activity (4% of all US universities). R1 status is awarded to universities
that conduct
research at a very high level, in terms of both their research expenditures and their
number of
doctoral degrees awarded. UAF’s research expenditures already exceed the R1 threshold,
however, we seek to increase the number of doctoral students who are enrolled and
graduating
from UAF. Click here to learn more about UAF’s R1 efforts.
UAF is dedicating funding to support students that are in a position to complete a
doctoral
degree at an accelerated rate (ideally 3-4 years). We are reaching out to governmental
agencies, non-governmental organizations and industry partners that may have employees
with
master's degrees that are interested in pursuing a PhD. Ideal candidates should be
ready with
Alaska-relevant research questions and have immediate access to data that can be used
to
address those questions.
Agency, organization and industry employees with Alaska-relevant research questions,
and
data to address those questions, that fulfill PhD program requirements (See UAF’s
PhD programs
found here) are encouraged to apply to the relevant UAF PhD program. Successful applicants
may be eligible to receive financial support up to a maximum of $70,000 to pay for
tuition and
fees, Research Assistantships (stipend and health insurance), and/or research expenses
(travel,
supplies, analytical expenses, etc.). While all interested Alaskans are encouraged
to apply,
funding will be preferentially awarded to students who are well positioned to complete
their PhD
in an expedited fashion (3-4 years). Awards will be made on an annual basis as funding
allows,
with funding currently in-hand to support PhD students in academic years 2025-2026.
To pursue this opportunity, please:
● Express your interest by completing this Google form.
● Obtain a letter from your current supervisor/organization expressing their support
of you
pursuing a PhD while continuing employment. Note that PhD research and work
responsibilities should overlap to foster an accelerated degree completion timeline.
● Identify a UAF faculty member to serve as your mentor (i.e., PhD Advisor)
● Work with the UAF faculty mentor to develop a research plan and timeline
● Apply for admissions to UAF Graduate School for Fall of 2025 (link here) prior to
January 15 (use code #UAFR1 to get application fee waived)
● Ask your faculty mentor to apply on your behalf for financial support through the
Troth
Yeddha’ program (link here will be open January 15, more details on the application
process will be available by mid December). Note that financial awards are contingent
upon admissions into a PhD Program.
Timeline:
● Application Deadline for UAF graduate school programs January 15
● Application deadline for faculty mentors to apply for graduate student support through
the Troth Yeddha’ program is January 31, 2025
● Award contingent upon admissions into PhD Program
● Admissions and award decisions will vary based on PhD Program
● Accepted PhD students are expected to begin Fall semester 2025
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. Please share this opportunity
with
your colleagues!