1. An insiders guide to the GSBS Common App for Scholarships and Fellowships
Bill Mattox, PhD Associate Dean, GSBS
Michael Zhu, PhD Past Chair, GSBS Student Scholarship Cmte

2. Application Cycles - Deadlines Fall Common Application – October 31st, Spring Common Application – April 30th, President’s Research Scholarships -- July 1, 2019

3. Fall Awards Applications submitted through Embark
October 5th: Application Submission Opens
October 31st: Deadline for Applications
Early December: Notification of Winners/Finalists
Applications submitted through Embark

4. Fall Scholarships and Fellowships
Investing in Student Futures Scholarship
The Fadine Jackson Roquemore Scholarship in Cancer Research
Andrew Sowell-Wade Huggins Scholarships in Cancer Research
Cancer Answers/Sylvan Rodriguez Scholarship
Floyd Haar, M.D., Endowed Memorial Research Award in Memory of Freda Haar
Steve Lasher and Janiece Longoria Graduate Student Research Award in Cancer Biology
Sam Taub and Beatrice Burton Endowed Fellowships in Vision Disease
Roberta M. and Jean M. Worsham Endowed Fellowship
Ellen Taylor Goldin Legacy Award
The George M. Stancel, Ph.D. Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences
Jesse B. Heath, Jr. Family Legacy Award
City Federation of Women's Club Endowed Scholarship in the Biomedical Science
T.C. Hsu Memorial Scholarship
Wei Yu Family Endowed Scholarship
Tzu Chi Scholarship Award for Excellence
The Antje Wuelfrath Gee and Harry Gee, Jr. Family Legacy Award
R.W. Butcher Achievement Award Gigli Family Endowed Scholarship
Ralph B. Arlinghaus, Ph.D. Scholarship
Mercedes Benz of the Woodlands Scholarship (and still more……)

5. Important Changes Kopchick Fellowship Applications
1. Now reviewed in Fall Cycle
2. New eligibility criteria for these awards
Must have already submitted PhD candidacy petition
But not yet finished fourth doctoral year at GSBS

6. Important Changes John J. Kopchick Fellowship
$7,500 scholarship + $7,500 for research – 7 awards
Renewable for a second year!
Charlene Kopchick Fellowship
$8250 scholarship + $8250 for research – 1 award

7. Important Changes All Fall Awards 6 page research proposal Instead:
1 page Specific Aims
1 page Research Progress report + 1 figure
References do not count toward page limits

8. Important Changes New Award Mercedes Benz of the Woodlands Scholarship
$5000
1 award for a Pre-candidacy doctoral student
1 award for a Masters student

9. Who gets awards? Institution MD Anderson 42 17 40% UTHealth 22 12 55%
Applicants Winners Percent
MD Anderson %
UTHealth %

10. International/Domestic
Who gets awards?
International/Domestic
Applicants Winners Percent
International %
Domestic %

11. Years of enrollment at deadline
Who gets awards?
Years of enrollment at deadline
Applicants
Winners
Percentage 40% 39% 43% 53% %

12. Review Process - Overview
2 Faculty reviewers assigned per application
Submit scores and comments to GSBS
All students are ranked
Committee meets to discuss rankings
Final rankings set by committee
Students are matched to awards based on rank and donor intent

13. Review Process – Three Merit Criteria
1. Accomplishments at GSBS (CV)
Papers, Presentations, Posters, external awards
2. Research Project (Specific Aims and Progress Report)
Logic, Originality, Significance, Innovation, Clarity
Potential as a Scientist (Letters, Latest Committee Report)
4. Statement on Eligibility - can justify research area, outreach, leadership
Explain why you are suited for specific awards

14. Award Match Harry S. and Isabel Cameron Foundation Fellowship
Investing in Student Futures Scholarship
The Fadine Jackson Roquemore Scholarship in Cancer Research
Andrew Sowell-Wade Huggins Scholarships in Cancer Research
Cancer Answers/Sylvan Rodriguez Scholarship
Floyd Haar, M.D., Endowed Memorial Research Award in Memory of Freda Haar
Steve Lasher and Janiece Longoria Graduate Student Research Award in Cancer Biology
Sam Taub and Beatrice Burton Endowed Fellowships in Vision Disease
Roberta M. and Jean M. Worsham Endowed Fellowship
Ellen Taylor Goldin Legacy Award
The George M. Stancel, Ph.D. Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences
Jesse B. Heath, Jr. Family Legacy Award
City Federation of Women's Club Endowed Scholarship in the Biomedical Science
T.C. Hsu Memorial Scholarship
Wei Yu Family Endowed Scholarship
Tzu Chi Scholarship Award for Excellence
The Antje Wuelfrath Gee and Harry Gee, Jr. Family Legacy Award
R.W. Butcher Achievement Award Gigli Family Endowed Scholarship
Ralph B. Arlinghaus, Ph.D. Scholarship
Mercedes Benz of the Woodlands Scholarship (and still more……)

15. Award Match Assignments are made based on donor intent
Area of Research
Stage in training
Student’s interest in award
Other award-specific criteria
Assignment Order
Start with highest ranked students and fill slots by:
Size of Award (largest awards to top students)
Narrowness of donor criteria
Tip – If you believe you are well-suited to a particular award tell us why in your application.

16. What is the committee looking for?
Publications and presentations (stage appropriate)
Other evidence of appropriate research progress
External recognition – awards, fellowships
(If you’ve had an opportunity to receive these)
Clear and thoughtful presentation
Strong letters of support

17. What is the committee looking for?
Letters of Support
Make sure the writers :
1. are supportive of your application
2. know you well enough to comment in depth
3. Understand the criteria for the awards
Ask your advisor to:
comment on your role in developing the application
and ideas
Be sure to submit 1 page training plan

18. Previous GSBS Awards? From 2018 GSBS Graduation Program:
Erin Williams Lopez
Advisor: Dr. Andrew B. Gladden
American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship
Rosalie B. Hite Fellowship
Sylvan Rodriguez Foundation Scholarship Honoring George M. Stancel, PhD
Student InterCouncil Academic Achievement Award
Specifically justify why you should receive another award.
What have you done since the last award?
EXCEPTION – The Kopchick Fellowships

19. Questions from ASC
Is there more of a focus on the scientific process or the trainee potential
in the application?
How does the review process work?
How significant is preliminary data to the application?
What are you looking for in a training plan?
What types of awards are available (full fellowship vs. stipend) and
what are the rules with receiving multiple awards in different semesters?
What are special considerations for international students?