Summer Dissertation Writing Grants for Advanced Arts and Humanities Students

This Graduate Division program aims to support advanced doctoral students in the Arts and Humanities and in the Humanistic Social Sciences (social science fields that use qualitative humanistic research approaches) enrolled in Spring 2026.  Students who have advanced to candidacy and can commit to full-time dissertation writing for at least two months of the summer may apply for a Summer Dissertation Writing Grant. Applicants must be able to commit to participation in a formal dissertation-writing group during the summer months, which will include both weekly meetings and daily writing sessions. These are competitive grants in the amount of $6,000. Student parents will receive an additional $2,000. Students who have already received a Summer Dissertation Writing Grant are not eligible to apply.

PLEASE NOTE: All students receiving this grant to support their dissertation writing will be required to provide a report (approx. 250 words) to the Graduate Division, due September 1, 2026, on the work you completed over the summer and your anticipated path to completion of the dissertation. Participation in the virtual two-day Program Kickoff (June 1-2) and in a formal Graduate Division dissertation-writing group are required. (All group sessions and meetings will be virtual and will take place in June and July, Monday through Friday, from either 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 1-5 p.m. PT.)

Required Supplemental Materials Include:

• Proposed Dissertation Title
• Dissertation Abstract (Maximum of 2 single-spaced pages)
• Proposal: You will be asked to upload a statement of no more than 750 words describing your proposed writing plan for the summer, with specific details about what you hope to have accomplished by the end of August 2026
• Current CV

To start a new application or log into your current application, please use the following link. You will be asked to authenticate with your CalNet ID.