2023 Dissertation Grant Program

The National Institute of Social Sciences (NISS) invites nominations for its 2023 Dissertation Grants Program. NISS Dissertation Grants are designed to support outstanding Ph.D. students who need resources to complete doctoral work that promises to significantly advance their fields of study. Any accredited U.S. university that awards doctoral degrees in the social sciences is eligible to nominate a graduate student for an NISS Dissertation Grant.

preferred Disciplines

Eligibility

Any accredited U.S. university that grants doctoral degrees in the appropriate social science field is eligible to nominate a graduate student to receive an NISS Dissertation Grant. Each university may nominate up to two (2) candidates per grant period. If a university nominates more than one candidate, they may come from one or more of the disciplines listed above.

Number & Size
of Grants

For 2023, NISS again anticipates making two to four grants in amounts ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 each. NISS may consider granting larger amounts on a case-by-case basis.

Covered Expenses

Grants may be used to cover any necessary expenses related to completing a dissertation, including but not limited to travel to a library or archive, photography or photocopying, field research, and conference support (including fees, childcare, and per diem). 

Nomination Requirements

Each nomination must include the following information, uploaded via the application portal: 

• The nominee’s CV 

• The nominee’s personal statement of no more than 750 words describing the project, the planned uses for money requested, and any relevant skills (i.e., statistics, foreign languages) the nominee possesses

• A one-page project budget

• A letter of support from the nominee’s academic sponsor that addresses (1) the nominee’s academic qualifications and (2) the merits of the nominee’s research

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.