SGS Program Manager, Sarah Beach, Holding Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Guidance Workshops for Graduate Students (same workshop on different days and times)

1. Monday, February 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Administrative Center Brookside Room, 5115 Oak ST, and via Zoom.
   1. Please register with your UMKC email address whether attending in person or via Zoom: Formatting Guidance Workshop
2. Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Administrative Center Brookside Room, 5115 Oak ST, and via Zoom.
   1. Please register with your UMKC email address whether attending in person or via Zoom: Formatting Guidance Workshop (Repeat)

Research Grants

Eligibility

• Degree-seeking graduate students who are conducting thesis or dissertation research are eligible to apply.
• Students who will graduate prior to Spring 2027 are NOT eligible for a Research Grant in 2026-27.
• Research grant awards may be awarded more than once, but preference will be given to first-time applicants.

Award amount

The maximum award amount is $5,000. Students who need lower amounts, such as $500 or $1,000 for costs associated with their research, are encouraged to apply. Your budget does NOT need to reach the $5,000 maximum to be considered.

How to apply

The SGS Research Grant application is now open for 2026-27, and is due to umkcsgs@umkc.edu by 5pm on Friday, February 27. Please see the website for more specifics about the application requirements and post-award information.

Arthur Mag Graduate Fellowship

The Arthur Mag fellowship application is open for 2026-27, with a deadline of 5pm on Friday, February 27.

Award amount

The Arthur Mag Graduate Fellowship includes a stipend of $10,000 plus remission of up to 12 hours of graduate education tuition.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be currently enrolled graduate students in academic programs from the Bloch School of Management; the School of Humanities and Social Sciences; the School of Science and Engineering; the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences; or the School of Law.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Students who plan on graduating before Spring 2027 are not eligible for this award program.

Please see the website for more information regarding application requirements and the selection process.

Ronald A. MacQuarrie Graduate Fellowship

The MacQuarrie Fellowship application is now open for 2026-27, with a deadline of 5pm on Friday, February 27.

The MacQuarrie Fellowship Fund was formed to assist graduate students with financial need to pursue their graduate education. Dr. Ron MacQuarrie served as Dean of the School of Graduate Studies from 1995 to 2011.

Eligibility

• New or continuing students in graduate degree programs
• Preference given to students with financial need and academic potential

Please see the website for more information about the application requirements.

Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) Scholar Fellowship

The Preparing Future Faculty Scholar Fellowship application is open for 2026-27, with a deadline of 5pm on Friday, February 27. Please see the attached Call for Applications for more information about the application process and a link to the application site. Information is also available on our website.

The fellowship program helps to support first-year students within the College Teaching and Career Preparation certificate program - a 12-credit, two-year online graduate certificate program. Fellowships for the PFF program are awarded each year to competitively selected new program applicants.

Award amount

• PFF Fellows receive tuition remission for three credits and a stipend of $2,500.

Eligibility

Only current or prospective graduate students who wish to participate in the certificate program are encouraged to apply for the PFF Fellowship.

On February 27, 2026, the School of Graduate Studies and Graduate Student Council will host a joint Community of Scholars and Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) event in the Student Union. This event is open to the public and attendance is encouraged!

The Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and Career Preparation is a 12-credit, two-year online program. Fellowships for the program are awarded each year to competitively selected applicants. Fellowship recipients receive tuition remission for 3 credits and a stipend of $2,500.

Fellowship Application Process

Applying for the Preparing Future Faculty Fellowship requires applying to the Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and Career Preparation program. Only current or prospective graduate students who wish to participate in the program are encouraged to apply for the Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and Career Preparation Fellowship. Applications will be reviewed for overall strengths across application materials by committee for Fall 2026 program commencement. The application for the fellowship requires three components:

• Signed Letter of Recommendation from a Faculty Mentor that comments on the applicant’s suitability for the program.

• One-Page Goals Letter describing: your future career goals and how program participation will help you to attain your career goals.

• Completed program application through UMKC online application system. Click here to Apply to the program. If you are new to the online application system, you may first need to create an account. Once you access the application, select “College Teaching and Career Preparation” from the drop-down menu.

Travel Grant

The School of Graduate Studies offers travel grants to help defray travel costs for the purpose of presenting original research papers or equivalent work in the creative arts at professional meetings, workshops, festivals or exhibits. Such presentations may be volunteered or invited and may be podium or poster presentations.

Amount of award

• In order to assist as many graduate students as possible, the maximum SGS travel grant is $400.
• Grants are for in-person conferences only.
• Matching funds from the student’s academic unit or program are encouraged but not required. 

How to apply

• Only one request per student will be considered per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).
• Applications have closed for events happening in January, February, and March. Students who received late notification of acceptance for presentations in these months may submit an application for review with the next cycle of applications, for a potential retroactive approval.
• Proof of acceptance of your presentation is required.

Applications are now open for travel to events happening in April, May, and June. All materials must be received at umkcsgs@umkc.edu by March 1st.

Dr. Anandhi Upendran, based at the University of Missouri-Columbia campus, is the Director of the Biomedical Entrepreneurship Training Program for Aging.

BETA is a R25 program funded by National Institute of Aging (NIA/NIH) and administered at the University of Missouri. The program is designed to provide biomedical education with didactic and immersion experiences to participants, in a way that will broaden their skillsets useful in transitioning to other scientific positions in industry and academia. The training program will help create multidisciplinary, highly talented workforce required for innovation and translation, specifically focused on age-related diseases, including AD/ADR.

For more information on this program, please visit BETA program.

UMKC Graduate Writing Initiative | Summer 2026–Fall 2026

The Graduate Writing Initiative (GWI) invites applications for two Graduate Teaching Assistantship positions for Summer through Fall 2026.

As UMKC advances its R1 research mission and strengthens graduate education across doctoral, master’s, professional, and creative practice-based programs, GWI plays a central role in supporting graduate writers’ research, scholarly, professional, and creative work. The GWI Graduate Teaching Assistants contribute directly to this mission by working with graduate writers across disciplines and genres while developing advanced expertise in writing pedagogy, interdisciplinary communication, and program design.

Appointment Details

• Compensation: $1,600 per month (prorated for partial months)
• Tuition Remission: Up to 6 credit hours per term (fall semester only)
• Time Commitment: 20 hours per week
• Term: Summer 2026 (2-month contract) – Fall 2026 (semester contract)
• Renewability: Pending satisfactory performance and budget approval
• Approximate Start Date: June 1, 2026

What You’ll Do

Graduate Teaching Assistants work closely with the Graduate Writing Specialist to design, deliver, and assess programming that supports graduate writers in a research-intensive environment. Responsibilities include:

• Conducting one-with-one graduate writing consultations supporting:
  • Research-driven genres (theses, dissertations, literature reviews, articles, grant proposals)
  • Professional and applied genres (capstones, policy briefs, technical reports, portfolios)
  • Creative and practice-based scholarly genres (creative-critical essays, artist statements, reflective research writing)
• Designing and facilitating workshops, writing retreats, and writing groups focused on research writing processes, disciplinary conventions, and sustainable writing practices
• Developing graduate-focused writing resources that support research communication, professionalization, and degree completion
• Assisting with program coordination, promotion, and collaboration with faculty, graduate programs, and campus partners
• Using assessment and reflective practice to support responsive innovation and continuous improvement

Who Should Apply

This assistantship is ideal for graduate students who see writing as a core practice of research, professional expertise, and creative knowledge production. Strong candidates may:

• Be enrolled in doctoral, master’s, or professional graduate programs
• Have experience or interest in mentoring, teaching, tutoring, or peer consultation
• Be interested in advanced writing processes, academic and professional , research communication, or writing center work
• Communicate effectively across disciplines and enjoy facilitating workshops or group programming
• Value collaboration, inclusivity, accessibility, and reflective practice

Prior writing center experience is welcome but not required; training and mentorship are central to this role.

How to Apply

Apply via Handshake (Job #10714112) and submit:

1. Résumé or CV including contact information for a faculty reference and a brief note about summer and fall 2026 availability
2. Responses to three application prompts (see Handshake posting for details)

🔗 Handshake posting: app.joinhandshake.com/public/jobs/10714112

Priority Deadline: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

Questions?
Contact Dr. Annie Lowe, Graduate Writing Specialist
📧 annie.lowe@umkc.edu

Graduate Student Grant Writing Workshop
Dates: May 18–22, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: UMKC Volker Campus

The workshop is facilitated by GWI Faculty Fellows:

• Dr. Michelle Paquette, Division of Energy, Matter and Systems; and, Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy
• Dr. Joseph Lightner, Department of Health Science

This intensive workshop is designed to build participants’ confidence, clarity, and practical skills in developing competitive grant and fellowship applications. Participants will:

• Draft and refine core proposal components (e.g., research statement, personal statement, biosketch/CV)
• Learn how to read and decode funding announcements and review criteria
• Develop realistic project plans and timelines
• Practice giving and receiving peer feedback
• Learn strategies for securing strong letters of recommendation
• Leave with a draft proposal and a submission-ready roadmap

The workshop is appropriate for all types of funding applications, including graduate and postdoctoral fellowships, dissertation completion grants, early-career research proposals, fieldwork or archival funding, and nationally or internationally competitive awards such as Fulbright awards. Master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral trainees in any discipline are prioritized, though undergraduates preparing for graduate-level fellowships are also encouraged to apply.

Application deadline: March 12, 2026
Notification of selection: First week of April 2026

🔗 See full details and application on the GWI website: https://www.umkc.edu/asm/writing-studio/gwi-grant-writing-workshop.html

Questions about program fit or preparation can be directed to Dr. Annie Lowe, Graduate Writing Specialist, at annie.lowe@umkc.edu.

Graduate students who are actively working on a thesis, dissertation, or other substantial scholarly writing project are invited to apply to Camp Write-A-Lot 2026, a weeklong, intensive graduate writing program hosted by the Graduate Writing Initiative in partnership with University Libraries, the School of Graduate Studies, and the Writing Studio.

Camp Write-A-Lot 2026

Program Dates: June 1–5, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (lunches provided)
Location: UMKC Miller Nichols Library
Stipend: $250 (full attendance required)

Camp Write-A-Lot is designed for graduate students who are ready to make substantive writing progress while also strengthening their long-term academic writing practices. Research on dissertation and thesis writing camps consistently demonstrates benefits such as increased writing confidence, reduced writing-related anxiety, sustained productivity, and meaningful progress toward degree completion.

This program is particularly well suited for students who have completed coursework and are drafting, revising, or restructuring chapters, synthesizing literature, or preparing substantial sections of a thesis or dissertation. Students working on grant proposals, conference papers, or manuscripts for publication are also encouraged to apply, though priority is typically given to thesis and dissertation writers.

Application deadline: March 12, 2026
Cohort size: Limited to 25 participants

🔗 Full information and application link: library.umkc.edu/camp/ 

Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Annie Lowe, Graduate Writing Specialist, with any questions: annie.lowe@umkc.edu.

We've (re)launched the GWI's weekly virtual writing groups! 

• The Monday accountability group meets weekly from 6-7 pm, hosted by GWI GTA Angel Williams via RooLearning+. Meet with other graduate students to set goals together, discuss the process of writing, and hold each other accountable for meeting goals. Join when you are able (consistent attendance not required).

• The Wednesday working group meets weekly from 6-8 pm, hosted by GWI GTA Sarah Feldmann via RooLearning+. Meet with other graduate students to write together for two hours. This is a way to carve out writing time along with your fellow graduate writers. Join when you are able (consistent attendance not required).

Accessing GWI Writing Group sessions

How to Sign up for a GWI Writing Group session in advance:

• Log into RooLearning+ with your SSO credentials.
• Double check that “Writing Studio” is selected in the Support Centers list in the bottom left corner of the calendar display.
• Click on the tile for the GWI Writing Group session that you would like to attend to open the session information panel.
• Click the “Subscribe” button in the session information panel that appears on the right side of the calendar display. 

How to Join a GWI Writing Group session anytime throughout the duration of the session:

• Log into RooLearning+ with your SSO credentials on the scheduled day and time of the session.
• Click on the tile for the GWI Writing Group session to open the session information panel on the right side of the calendar display.
• Click the “Join the session” button in the session information panel.
• Confirm your device’s microphone and video permissions for the virtual session and click “Join.”

 GWI for the Academic and Academic-Aligned Job Market: New Module! 

The academic and academic-aligned job market season is in full swing, as is graduate and post-doc application season. To support your academic and professional goals at and beyond UMKC, the GWI has added a new Academic and Academic-Aligned Job MarketCanvas module.

We will continue adding resources to this and other GWI modules for application documents, Writing Teaching Philosophies and Writing Personal Statements. Send your suggestions for the application documents you would like to see resources for and/or share resources you found helpful via email to Annie at Annie.Lowe@umkc.edu!

As always, you can book an individual consultation for your application documents with a GWI team member (Annie, Angel, and Sarah) on RooLearning+!

UMKC Central can help students tackle financial and enrollment barriers!  As the one stop service center on campus, the team at UMKC Central can help with questions and concerns related to financial aid, scholarships, billing, enrollment, and records.

The office is located on the 1^st floor of the Administrative Center, room 120, and does accept walk-ins.  Students can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment through the UMKC Central Service Page in UMKC Connect.

Students are also welcome to call 816-235-6000 or email umkccentral@umkc.edu.

Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm, except Wednesday, 9:00am – 4:30pm.

Looking for assistance with your resume or job search? Career Services is here to help! Visit umkc.joinhandshake.com to schedule your appointment.

You have access to many campus resources, such as the CARE team, Campus Recreation, Financial Aid, Career Services, University Libraries, and more. More information is available online.