College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Biology
Department of Biology

Graduate Awards & Honors

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship:

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) is a highly prestigious award that supports outstanding graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. It provides three years of funding, including an annual stipend and a cost-of-education allowance, and recognizes students with exceptional potential for leadership in research and innovation. Georgetown graduate students across disciplines have received this honor, supported by the university’s Office of Graduate Fellowships & Awards.

ARCS Scholar Award:

The ARCS Scholar Award (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) is a prestigious fellowship that provides financial support to academically outstanding U.S. citizens pursuing graduate degrees in science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or medical research. Offered by the ARCS Foundation, the award aims to advance science and technology in the United States by funding exceptional students at leading research universities. Recipients are selected based on their academic excellence, research potential, and commitment to contributing to their field.

NIH TL1 Translational Biomedical Science Research Award:

The NIH TL1 Translational Biomedical Science Research Award is a prestigious fellowship designed to support early-career researchers—both predoctoral and postdoctoral—pursuing clinical and translational science. Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the TL1 program offers rigorous training in interdisciplinary research, mentorship, and career development. Trainees engage in dual-mentored research projects that bridge laboratory discoveries with clinical applications, aiming to accelerate the translation of scientific findings into improved health outcomes. The program emphasizes collaboration across disciplines and institutions, providing scholars with the skills and resources necessary to become leaders in translational biomedical research.

NIH F31 Predoctoral National Research Service Award

The NIH F31 Predoctoral National Research Service Award (NRSA) is a prestigious fellowship designed to support promising doctoral candidates in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. Administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the F31 award provides funding for mentored research training during dissertation research, aiming to develop recipients into independent research scientists. The fellowship offers up to five years of support, including a stipend, tuition, and institutional allowance, to enhance the recipient’s potential for a successful research career.

NASA FINESST (Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology) Grant:

The NASA FINESST (Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology) Grant is a competitive research award designed to support graduate students pursuing innovative, student-led research in Earth and space sciences. Administered by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD), FINESST grants enable students to define and execute research projects that align with NASA’s science, technology, and exploration objectives. The program emphasizes independent research, with students serving as the primary authors and leaders of their proposed projects, under the mentorship of a principal investigator. Awards can provide up to $50,000 per year for a duration of up to three years, depending on the project’s scope and alignment with NASA’s strategic goals.

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Award:

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship is a highly competitive award established by Congress in 1989 to support U.S. citizens pursuing doctoral degrees in science and engineering disciplines critical to national defense. Administered by the Department of Defense, the fellowship provides recipients with full tuition and required fees, an annual stipend of $43,200, a $5,000 travel budget over three years, and a $1,400 annual health insurance allowance. The fellowship is intended for students at or near the beginning of their graduate studies and is awarded for a period of three years.

PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship:

The PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship is a competitive award designed to support promising graduate students conducting innovative research in drug discovery, drug delivery, or translational medicine. Offered by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Foundation, the fellowship provides $60,000 annually for up to two years, enabling recipients to focus on early-stage research with clear potential for human application. Applicants must be engaged in thesis research as PhD candidates and have completed most of their pre-thesis coursework by the time the award is activated. The fellowship emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and encourages the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Patrick Healy Graduate Fellowship:

The Patrick Healy Graduate Fellowship is a prestigious award at Georgetown University, named in honor of its 28th president, Patrick Healy—the first African American to earn a doctorate and serve as president of a predominantly white university. Established to promote diversity and inclusion, the fellowship offers five years of financial support, mentorship, and community engagement to exceptional Ph.D. students from underrepresented backgrounds who might otherwise find it difficult to pursue a doctoral degree. The program aims to cultivate future leaders and scholars who will enrich academic discourse and contribute to societal advancement.

Tigris Endowed Fellowship:

Harold N. Glassman

The Harold N. Glassman Distinguished Dissertation Award is a prestigious honor conferred annually by Georgetown University’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences to recognize outstanding doctoral dissertations in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Established in memory of Mr. Harold N. Glassman, a dedicated supporter of academic excellence, the award aims to celebrate exceptional scholarly contributions that demonstrate rigorous research and significant impact within their respective fields.

Artice Valentine Bader Outstanding Graduate Award

The Artice Valentine Bader Outstanding Graduate Award is a distinguished honor presented annually by Georgetown University’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. This award recognizes a graduate student who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to advancing their field of study. Named in honor of Artice Valentine Bader, the first Georgetown student to earn a Ph.D. in biology, the award celebrates her pioneering contributions to the university and her dedication to scientific excellence. Dr. Bader’s legacy continues to inspire graduate students to excel in their academic and professional endeavors.