2026-2027 Dissertation Year Award Application

Dissertation Year Award (DYA) 2026–2027 Application

Application Deadline: Friday, February 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST

Recommendation Letter Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST

Award Amount: $32,000 in student financial support plus standard tuition and fees (excluding nonmandatory fees, nonresident supplemental tuition, and professional degree supplemental tuition, UCGPC, if applicable).

Purpose: The Dissertation Year Award supports doctoral students who are advanced to candidacy by Fall 2025, and are within one year of completing and filing their dissertations. Recipients are expected to complete all degree requirements within 12 months of beginning their award.

Applicant Information

Full Name

UID

Area

Faculty Advisor/Dissertation Chair Name

Anticipated Quarter and Year of Degree Completion (e.g., Spring 2026)

Have you officially advanced to doctoral candidacy?

Yes No

Citizenship & Eligibility

Citizenship status:

U.S. Citizen Permanent Resident International Student Undocumented/AB540-Eligible

Academic Information

Current GPA

Date of advancement to candidacy or anticipated date for completing prelims

Have you received the Dissertation Year Award before?

Yes (not eligible again, do not continue application) No

Required Documents Uploads

Please provide the working title of your dissertation

If there is a document that should be in landscape position and it is in portrait position, please rotate it.

Proposed Plan for Completing the Dissertation (PDF)

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Must not exceed 4 pages, double-spaced, 11 pt. font, with 1-inch margins. Include an abstract, introduction, research plan, and detailed monthly timeline.

Personal Statement (PDF)

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Maximum 2 pages, double-spaced, 11 pt. font. Should include career goals after receiving the degree.

Curriculum Vitae / Resume (PDF)

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Include education, awards, publications, conference presentations, and other professional contributions.

Unofficial Graduate Transcript (PDF)

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB. Include Fall 2025 grades. MyUCLA printout is acceptable. If any incomplete grades remain, attach a brief explanation as a separate page.

Faculty Mentor Information and Letters of Recommendation

Instructions: Two letters of recommendation are required — one from your dissertation chair. Please inform your recommenders as soon as possible to avoid delays. Letters must be signed and on department letterhead. Your recommenders will receive an email with upload instructions once you submit this form. It is your responsibility to ensure letters are received by March 6, 2026, 5 PM PST. Applications missing required letters will be disqualified.

Dissertation Committee Chair Full Name

Dissertation Committee Chair Email

Second Recommender Full Name

Second Recommender Email

Do you choose to waive your right to review this letter of recommendation under FERPA?

I waive my right to examine this letter of recommendation. I do not waive my right to examine this letter of recommendation.

Certification and Acknowledgment

Please read carefully and confirm each item before submitting:

I certify that I will complete all degree requirements within 12 months of beginning the award tenure.* I understand that the information provided may be shared with relevant funding committees for review.* I confirm that all submitted materials are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.*

Signature (Type Full Name):