Summer Research Assistantship

Summer Graduate Research Assistantships provide financial support to graduate students during the summer term, allowing students to devote significant time to their dissertation or thesis research. The intent of the award is to foster greater professional productivity and to assist in timely degree completion. 

Summer Research Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. Applicants must submit materials via the Office of the Provost application portal by Friday, January 30, 2026 (see Application Process). Recipients will be notified by Friday, March 6, 2026.

For more details on the application process or any questions, please contact geaward@gmu.edu or call 703 993 6951.

Students must submit the following materials via the Office of the Provost application portal (located here or on our website) by 5:00 pm, Friday, January 30, 2026: 

1. Strict Guidelines for Narrative  

• Limit two pages; one-inch margins; double-spaced; Times, 12-pt. font. 

• Student’s full name and degree program and G number must appear in the header on each page, e.g., "Jane Doe, PhD Communication, G55555555".  

• Include a brief description of your thesis/dissertation research. 

• Include research goals for the summer and how these goals fit within the broader research agenda. 

• Include specific plans for executing research and attaining goals during the award term. 

• State whether other funds have been sought or received for the work proposed. 

2. Recommendation Approval Request 

• Application approval is required from thesis/dissertation committee chair by Friday, February 6, 2026.  

• All approvals by thesis/dissertation committee chair will be done directly via the Office of the Provost application portal. Once students have completed their application, an email will be sent directly from the portal with instructions on how to approve or reject the application.  

• Applicants must be doctoral, or master’s students listed in university records as full-time during the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters. Applicants should confirm that the appropriate forms (e.g., Full-Time Equivalent Status form, etc.) have been filed with the Registrar’s office.  

• Applicants must not be scheduled to graduate at the end of the Spring or Summer 2026 semester and must confirm their intent to enroll for the Fall 2026 semester to be eligible for funding. 

• Doctoral students must have advanced to candidacy as defined by their degree program by Friday, January 30, 2026 (application deadline). 

• Master’s students must provide written verification of thesis proposal acceptance by their thesis committee chair by Friday, January 30, 2026 (application deadline).

• Students may need to report to campus during the award term. Remote work within the US may be considered at the supervisor's discretion. 

• Based on funding availability, priority will be given to Doctoral and MFA students who meet eligibility requirements.  

• Full-time Graduate Research Assistantship (20 hours a week) 

• Stipend: $9,000 for doctoral students; $7,000 for master’s students  

• Term of award: May 25 – August 24  

• Selected awardees should concentrate on their research during the award period (May 25 – Aug. 24) and should not accept any additional fellowships, internal assignments or outside employment. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.   

• Students must submit a summary of the work produced by September 2, 2026. 

• Student’s thesis or dissertation committee chair must be willing to provide a written evaluation of student’s work, at the conclusion of the fellowship, by September 2, 2026. 

• Doctoral students are expected to apply to compete in the George Mason’s 2026 3MT™ or poster competition after completion of the fellowship. See here for more details.  

• Students must be enrolled for the Fall 2026 semester.