Merit Awards

section V, article 2

While they cannot self-nominate, scholars are encouraged to make their research advisors aware of awards for which they may be eligible. The Department of Chemistry awards outstanding scholars a total of over $15k each year above and beyond stipend funding.

Quayle Outstanding Dissertation Award

One award $6000

Awarded to the PhD scholar with the best PhD dissertation, defended in the 2019/20 academic year. Nominations are restricted to one scholar per research group. Nominations consist of a letter from the primary nominator (the scholar’s research advisor), and a supporting letter from an additional expert in the field. Letters should address the exceptional nature of the scholar’s research

Quayle Excellence in Research Awards

Six awards, $1500 each

Recognizes excellence in research.

  • Two awards will be given to students completing their second year.
  • Two awards will be given to students completing their third year.
  • Two awards will be given to students completing their fourth year.

Nominations should include a faculty nomination letter and a 1-page research summary written by the student highlighting their major research accomplishments. A student may only receive one “Quayle excellence in research award” during their time at Emory (i.e. student receiving a second-year award, is not eligible for this award in their third or fourth years).

Quayle Early Innovator Award

One Award, $1500

This award specifically recognizes students who have made significant contributions to developing a new line of research/project, significantly beyond work that was undertaken in the group before their contribution. The nomination should include a faculty nomination letter and a 1-page research summary, written by the student, that emphasizes their individual contribution to developing a new line of research.

Quayle Citizen Scholar Award

One Award, $1500

This award specifically recognizes a student who has demonstrated excellence in research, and made a significant contribution to community building, outreach, broadening participation, public education and/or scholarship. The nomination should include a faculty nomination letter, a 1 page research statement (written by the student), and a 1 page outreach statement, written by the student, outlining the contribution to community building/outreach/broadening participation/public education/scholarship.

Quayle Teacher Scholar Award

One Award, $1500

This award specifically recognizes a student who has demonstrated excellence in research, and also a commitment to mentoring others/education. The nomination should include a faculty nomination letter, a 1 page research statement (written by the student), and 1 page mentoring/teaching statement (written by the student).

Quayle Spectrum Scholar Award

One Award, $1500

This award is given in acknowledgement of a graduate scholar whose personal and professional efforts over the past school year have contributed to diversity, inclusion and community engagement in the Department of Chemistry and/or the university more broadly. The nomination should include a description of specific actions undertaken by the student in support of full engagement. Nominations may come from any member of the chemistry community.

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Next: Reimbursements

Funding

section V, article 1

All chemistry graduate scholars are admitted with a stipend, 100% health insurance subsidy, and 100% tuition waiver. Funding is guaranteed as long as the scholar continues to make satisfactory progress towards the degree.

Stipend Basics

Graduate scholar stipend support comes from a number of sources, including:

  • Laney Graduate School fellowships
  • Teaching Assistantships
  • External fellowships
  • Faculty research grants

Scholars receiving any form of stipend support are expected to devote themselves full time to graduate work and research. Outside employment is not permitted. The only exception is tutoring which must be kept to ten hours or less per week. Breaks should be discussed with the research advisor and should be limited to two weeks per year. Scholars who take extended breaks may have their stipends terminated.

Additional Funding

Professional Development Support (PDS) funding is available for research travel, conferences, and training via the Laney Graduate School. Scholars should familiarize themselves with program guidelines and take advantage of this support. Two additional travel grants of $250 each are available by application to the Graduate Student Council (GSC).

Scholars are encouraged to research and apply for grants relevant to their graduate work, including, but not limited to, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). Scholars should carefully review email digests from Laney Graduate School and the Department of Chemistry for potential funding opportunities and explore funding opportunities from professional organizations and government agencies. When a scholar receives an external stipend that fully replaces 75% or more of the annual program stipend, they are eligible for an annual stipend supplement from LGS. Refer to the Special Funding Requests page for instructions – students should proactively request this supplement if they become eligible.

Stipend Termination

A scholar’s stipend may be terminated due to:

  • degree completion
  • transfer
  • leave of absence
  • withdrawal (either voluntary or required based on academic performance)

In the case of transfer, leave of absence, or withdrawal, the stipend will usually terminate immediately upon the effective date for the change of status. However, termination is not completed until the primary advisor submits the Stipend Termination form with a student signature.

For graduating scholars, the stipend will terminate automatically at the end of the semester in which a scholar graduates. However, faculty have the option of terminating the stipend early if the student is completing their work with a given lab on an earlier date by completing the Stipend Termination form. This form will not be processed unless a scholar has signed the form to indicate their awareness of the stipend end date. However, it is important for scholars to understand that faculty are not obligated to provide stipend support following the successful completion of the dissertation defense. At the same time, scholars cannot be required to complete any uncompensated work after the stipend termination, including, but not limited to, training other graduate scholars, TA duties, or writing publications.

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Next: Merit Awards