What is the Distinguished Dissertation Competition? 

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) recognizes exemplary dissertations that represent original work and make a significant contribution to their discipline. CGS solicits nominations in two of four categories that alternate every year.

In 2027, CGS is seeking nominations for the CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award in the broad categories of Biological and Life Sciences and Humanities and Fine Arts.

What is the application window?

The 2027 nomination window will open February 15, 2027. The submission deadline is April 2, 2027 by 5:00pm central time. Deadline extensions will not be granted; late submissions will not be accepted.

What is the award?

$1,000 honorarium and nomination to the CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award.

How do I apply?

Program Nomination required. Programs can nominate up to one (1) student. Please reach out to your Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Program Coordinator.

For Program Nomination, log in to the electronic nomination form.

Application Requirements

A single PDF nomination file should include the documents listed below in the following order:

  1. Layman’s Summary (not to exceed one double-spaced page), see details below
  2. DGS Nomination Letter, see details below
  3. Abstract of the nominee’s dissertation (not to exceed five double-spaced pages). Appendices containing other material, such as charts, tables, and/or references, may be included as additional pages (not to exceed five pages). See details below.
  4. Three Letters of Recommendation (see more details below):
    1. Letter of Recommendation from the Nominee's Dissertation Supervisor
    2. Letter of Recommendation from a Member of the Nominee's Dissertation Committee (Cannot be the Dissertation Supervisor)
    3. Letter of Recommendation from a Person of the Nominee's Choice
  5. Curriculum Vitae (not to exceed 5 pages), see details below

Required PDF title format: Nominee LastName_FirstName_2027DistinguishedDissertation

What are the eligibility requirements?

To be considered, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Department Nomination: Applicants must be formally nominated by their graduate program. Internal nomination processes vary by graduate program, so applicants should contact their Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) or Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) to inquire about their department's specific nomination procedures and internal deadlines. To locate your DGS or GPC, please refer to this list.
  • Academic Status: Applicants must be a current student in, or graduate of, a University of Minnesota PhD program who will have successfully defended and officially submitted their dissertations to the Graduate Student Services & Progress (GSSP) office, between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2027.

Note: Applicants meeting all of the above eligibility requirements can apply regardless of citizenship status.

APPLICATION MATERIAL INSTRUCTIONS

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APPLICATION MATERIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Nominee’s Layman’s Summary

  • Maximum of one page, should be double spaced
  • Include a section on the significance of the research and, if available, the URL of the nominee’s website

DGS Nomination Letter

  • Describe candidate pool and selection process within program
  • Describe nominee’s originality and importance of research
  • Describe nominee’s potential for significant contribution to the field
  • Describe nominee’s comparative publication record and quality of the journals, and other excellence indicators, such as: discoveries, unique theories, inventions, creative products, patents, publications, book publication offers, job offers, professional organization honors, etc.

Abstract of the nominee’s dissertation

  • Written by the nominee
  • Maximum of 5 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font
  • Each page should contain nominee’s name and page number
  • Appendices containing non-textual material, such as charts or tables, to be included as an addition to the 5-page abstract (maximum of 5-pages)

 

Three Letters of Recommendation

  • One (1) Letter of Recommendation from the Nominee's Dissertation Supervisor
  • One (1) Letter of Recommendation from a Member of the Nominee's Dissertation Committee (Cannot be the Dissertation Supervisor)
  • One (1) Letter of Recommendation from a Person of the Nominee's Choice
  • One person cannot write two letters of recommendation for the same individual. (Note: A DGS may write a letter of recommendation for the individual if they aren’t already writing one.)
  • Recommended length of each letter of recommendation is 2-3 pages
  • Expectation of content: letters should evaluate the significance and quality of the nominee's dissertation work

 

Nominee’s Curriculum Vitae

  • Maximum of 5 pages in length
  • Highlight education and employment history
  • List honors and publications

Further Information

The UMN review committee may ask for a copy of the dissertation in making final decisions.