2024 Dissertation Grant Program

The National Institute of Social Sciences (NISS) invites nominations for its 2024 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 2024, NISS anticipates making several 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 are given as unrestricted funds which 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. 

Nomination Requirements

Each nomination must include the following information, emailed as instructed below:

• Completion of the NISS 2024 Dissertation Grant Application Cover Sheet (click to open fillable pdf for downloading and printing)

• The nominee’s CV

• The nominee’s personal statement of no more than 750 words describing the project and the planned uses for money requested

• A one-page project budget

• A letter of support from the nominee’s academic sponsor that addresses the nominee’s

  academic qualifications and the merits of the nominee’s research

Note: All documents must be submitted in pdf format, with numbered pages that include the nominee’s name and university name in the footer.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.