Gallogly College of Engineering Dissertation Excellence Award

Dissertation Excellence Award (DEA) 

Background 

Rewarding and encouraging excellence in research is a core value of the Gallogly College of Engineering (GCoE). The Gallogly College of Engineering Dissertation Excellence Award (DEA) is designed to reward PhD students that have achieved outstanding research results and encourage these students to complete their dissertation with excellence. The purpose of this announcement is to solicit outstanding applications to receive these DEAs. 

DEA Level, Duration, and Disbursement 

The maximum amount of each DEA is limited to a total of $5,000 and is not renewable. It is designed to be awarded either during the final semester of the student’s program (Option 1) or in two equal installments during the final two semesters of the student’s program (Option 2). To be eligible for a DEA award, the recipient must be a PhD candidate in good standing in one of GCoE’s PhD programs. As a PhD candidate, the student must have achieved satisfactory results for both the written and oral portions of the general examination, and the dean of the Graduate College must have admitted the student to candidacy for the doctoral degree. 

The DEA will be distributed in one of two ways: 

• • DEA Option 1: One installment of $5,000; 
• • DEA Option 2: Two installments of $2,500 each, made in two consecutive semesters (fall/spring, spring/summer, or summer/fall). 

All awards will be disbursed directly to the student’s bursar account. Awards will be announced by the 25th day of the month of the application deadline. 

Eligibility and Preference 

PhD candidates that have demonstrated excellence in their dissertation research are eligible to apply for a DEA. Evidence of research excellence may come in one or more forms, including peer reviewed publications, letters of endorsement from the student’s PhD committee chair/members, letters of endorsement from other professional colleagues, samples of dissertation writing, or other means. 

Proof of dissertation defense date is a key component of the DEA application process. 

DEA Option 1: The candidate must have the dissertation defense date set and approved by the PhD committee. 

DEA Option 2: This option involves two application steps: an initial application and an addendum application. For the initial application the candidate must have strong endorsement from the PhD committee chair indicating that the candidate’s dissertation research is on track to be defended in the subsequent semester. In order to receive the second $2,500 disbursement during the second semester, an addendum to the application is required to confirm that the dissertation defense date is set to occur in the second semester. Gallogly College of Engineering Dissertation Excellence Award 2 

Materials Required: 

DEA candidates should work with their PhD committee chair to submit the following materials to apply for a DEA. The submission will be made by the PhD committee chair on behalf of the candidate. 

 A completed DEA Application and Check Sheet form. 

 Intended dissertation defense date. 

DEA Option 1: 

Confirmation of dissertation defense date signed by entire PhD committee. 

DEA Option 2 - Initial application for first semester: 

Endorsement from the PhD committee chair indicating that the candidate’s dissertation research is on track to be defended in the subsequent semester. 

DEA Option 2 - Addendum to initial application, to receive funding for second semester: 

Confirmation of dissertation defense date signed by entire PhD committee. 

 Copy of PhD program transcript. 

 Complete resume of the student, including complete citations of any publications and presentations at national meetings. 

 Evidence of research excellence, including peer reviewed publications, letters of endorsement from the student’s PhD committee chair/members, letters of endorsement from other professional colleagues, samples of dissertation writing, and any other relevant items. 

Gallogly College of Engineering Dissertation Excellence Award 3 

Submission Process 

The candidate’s PhD committee chair will collect all materials from the candidate and submit to: Bethany Burklund, Assistant to the Associate Dean, Gallogly College of Engineering, 202 W. Boyd Street, Rm. 107, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019. It is preferred that the application package be submitted electronically to: bethanyhb@ou.edu. 

There are three application deadlines per year: 

• •September 15 for fall semester,
• •February 15 for spring semester,
• •June 15 for summer semester.

These deadlines are valid for Option 1 and Option 2 (and for both the initial and addendum applications associated with Option 2). For questions, please contact: Zahed Siddique, Associate Dean for Research, Gallogly College of Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Phone: (405) 325-4397, E-Mail: zsiddique@ou.edu. Review and Selection: A review committee consisting of members from the GCoE faculty will be formed to evaluate applications and make recommendations for awards. Final decisions and awards will be made by the Associate Dean. Based on the number and quality of applications received and availability of funds, awards will be announced within ten days of the application deadline. Gallogly College of Engineering Dissertation Excellence Award 4 

Dissertation Excellence Award (DEA) Application and Check Sheet 

Option 1 – One Semester Award 

Student Name: 

Student ID #.: E-Mail: 

Ph.D. Program Name: 

Faculty Advisor (PhD Committee Chair) Name: 

______________________________________ 

Student Signature and Date for Option 1 

Check all applicable boxes. 

 Intended dissertation defense date: 

Signatures of PhD Committee endorsing intended dissertation defense date: 

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ 

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ 

 Copy of PhD program transcript. 

 Complete resume of the student, including complete citations of any publications and presentations at national meetings. 

 Evidence of research excellence, including peer reviewed publications, letters of endorsement from the student’s PhD committee chair/members, letters of endorsement from other professional colleagues, samples of dissertation writing, and any other relevant items. 

Gallogly College of Engineering Dissertation Excellence Award 5 

Dissertation Excellence Award (DEA) Application and Check Sheet 

Option 2 – Two Semester Award 

Student Name: 

Student ID #.: E-Mail: 

Ph.D. Program Name: 

Faculty Advisor (PhD Committee Chair) Name: 

____________________________________ _____________________________________ Student Signature & Date for Option 2, Initial Student Signature & Date for Option 2, Addendum 

Check all applicable boxes. 

 For initial application for first semester. 

Faculty advisor confirms candidate’s dissertation research is on track to be defended in the subsequent semester. 

_________________________________ 

Faculty Advisor Signature and Date 

 For addendum application for second semester. 

Intended dissertation defense date: 

Signatures of PhD Committee endorsing intended dissertation defense date: 

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ 

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ 

The following items must be submitted with the Initial Application: 

 Copy of PhD program transcript. 

 Complete resume of the student, including complete citations of any publications and presentations at national meetings. 

 Evidence of research excellence, including peer reviewed publications, letters of endorsement from the student’s PhD committee chair/members, letters of endorsement from other professional colleagues, samples of dissertation writing, and any other relevant items.