Graduate Students' Achievement Award

The Graduate Students' Achievement (GSA) Award is intended to recognize significant achievement in any research or creative activity by full or part-time graduate students making satisfactory progress in their degree program. 

The GSA Award will recognize graduate students from each degree-level and their outstanding accomplishments during the course of their studies – Master’s degree student award(s) and Doctoral degree student award(s).

For purposes of this award, achievement is specifically defined as completed works that have been recognized externally to the department and university. Completed works means the work is finished and has occurred prior to submission for this award (e.g., the showcase or presentation is complete, written work is published or accepted for publication).

Examples of scholarly or creative activities include:

  • A graduate student has a creative activity or scholarly work accepted at a professional meeting external to Miami. The professional organization has a formal review process and does not accept all papers submitted (i.e., it is a competitive process).
  • A graduate student is specifically invited to display art works at an exhibit at another university.
  • A graduate student has a book manuscript or scholarly/creative manuscript accepted for publication in a professional periodical or outlet. There is a formal review process that is selective in nature (i.e., the outlet does not accept all submissions).
  • A graduate student is a PI or CO-PI on an externally funded grant or receives an external fellowship.

All applications are due by November 1 at 5:00 PM EST for Fall awards and by April 1 at 5:00 PM EST for Spring awards.

To Be Provided By The Applicant

Personal Information—

Provide your name, address, email address, department, degree program, and banner ID.

Description of the Achievement—

Describe the achievement using non-technical language for a non-specialist audience in no more than 300 words. A supporting document may be uploaded (e.g., journal article, letter of acceptance to an exhibit) but is not required.

"Award Worthiness" of the Achievement—

The applicant must provide a brief, clearly written statement indicating why the one selected achievement is deserving of an award using three criteria: (1) quality of the work (maximum, 200 words), (2) significance of the work (maximum, 200 words), and (3) the stringency of criteria for acceptance for presentation/publication/exhibit (maximum, 100 words). These statements should be informative and intelligible to non-specialists on the committee.

Previous Graduate Student Achievement Awards—

All previous Graduate Student Achievement Awards received, if any, must be listed by title and year of the award.

Applicant Submission Process—

Applicants should use the following Qualtrics link to submit their application form. 

To be provided by the Department Chair, Major Professor, or Program Director

Department Recommendation—

Applications should be endorsed by either the Department Chair or the student’s Major Professor. Recommendations should address the:

  1. quality of work (maximum, 200 words)
  2. significance of work (maximum, 200 words)
  3. stringency of criteria (such as review process; maximum, 200 words); and
  4. verification of publication/presentation of the work and place of presentation.

Application Submission—

The Department Chair or Major Professor supporting the graduate student's application should use the following Qualtrics link to submit their application form.

 

Evaluation of Applications

Completed applications will be reviewed by the Academic Achievement Fund sub-committee of Graduate Council using the following criteria:

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The judgment of the committee resulting from individual readings of the completed applications submitted. The committee recognizes and accepts the responsibility of making decisions, which are based on merit considerations. Accordingly, departmental endorsements of students' achievements are both necessary and vital. Listed below are the specific criteria used by the committee in the evaluation of applications: a) Quality of evidence presented regarding significance of the achievement; b) Quality of departmental endorsement; c) Quality of the written presentation; d) Nature of recognition of the achievement; and e) Evidence regarding independence of work.

The committee will make only one award to an individual applicant during each round of competition.

In the situation where achievement involves a joint presentation or publication with faculty member, a statement must be included which indicates a) the primary contribution to the project has been made by the applicant and b) the nature and degree of the faculty member's contribution.

If your work is an original piece of art (picture, jewelry, sculptures, etc.) please submit electronic photos along with your application.