Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Graduate School Providing One-Time Funding to Support Grad Students Facing COVID-Related Delays

Tuesday, September 28, 2021, By Ellen de Graffenreid
Share
Graduate SchoolResearch and CreativeStudents

The COVID-19 pandemic has created obstacles for many Ph.D. students working to complete their degrees before their available funding runs out. Graduate students must conduct independent research, and much of that research was disrupted.

person sitting on lawn in front of trees

Syracuse University is providing $1.5 million in additional funding for graduate students whose work has been directly impacted by the pandemic.

Labs were closed for some of the pandemic and their capacity was limited. Research involving human subjects was also delayed or faced logistical obstacles. With schools and childcare centers closed much of the 2020-2021 academic year, some graduate students found that their time to write became scarce. Some students expecting to travel to other countries to examine archives or work with collaborators found themselves stymied by travel bans, onerous testing and quarantine requirements or visa issues, among other challenges.

Recognizing these impacts, Syracuse University is providing $1.5 million in additional funding for graduate students whose work has been directly impacted by the pandemic. The funding takes several different forms, according to Peter Vanable, dean of the Graduate School.

“In talking to faculty members on the Graduate Faculty Council and through consultation with student leaders from the Graduate Student Organization, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. We developed a small number of options that should help a good number of graduate students whose degree completion has been delayed by the pandemic,” says Vanable.

This fall, the Graduate School provided full funding in the form of dissertation completion fellowships to 15 students for the 2021-22 academic year. Fellowships support doctoral students who have reached the limit of their guaranteed funding and, through no fault of their own, have been unable to complete and defend their dissertations.

“Degree completion at the Ph.D. level is a strategic priority for Syracuse University. By supporting outstanding graduate students who were impacted by the pandemic, we hope that they will defend their dissertations, graduate and go on to successful careers. I want to thank Chancellor Kent Syverud for his support of this important program,” says John Liu, interim provost.

Additional funding for Ph.D. students under this program will be announced soon, including small grants to offset dissertation-related expenses that can’t be covered by the student’s home college. Examples include travel or small equipment needed to complete dissertation research.

The summer dissertation fellowship program, normally awarded to 30 students who are close to completing their dissertation, will be doubled to include 60 awards in summer 2022. “We hope that more awards will help graduate students to get their dissertations over the finish line next summer,” Vanable adds.

In addition, supplemental funding will be soon made available to select faculty who funded students on grants during a time when the students couldn’t be fully engaged in research because of COVID. The funds will go to support graduate student research assistantships for the current academic year.

“For faculty who want to retain an experienced graduate student on a project that was delayed by COVID-19, this is an excellent option that helps both the student and the overall research program,” says Ramesh Raina, interim vice president for research.

  • Author

Ellen de Graffenreid

  • Recent
  • Doctoral Candidate Wins Grant for Research on Infrastructure, Violence and Resistance in Pakistan
    Friday, August 1, 2025, By News Staff
  • Co-President of Disability Law Society Eyes Career in National Security Law in Washington
    Thursday, July 31, 2025, By Jordan Bruenger
  • Lender Center New York Event Gathers Wealth Gap Experts
    Wednesday, July 30, 2025, By Diane Stirling
  • After Tragedy, Newhouse Grad Rediscovers Her Voice Through Podcasting
    Wednesday, July 30, 2025, By Chris Velardi
  • Back-to-School Shopping: More Expensive and Less Variety of Back-to-School Items
    Tuesday, July 29, 2025, By Daryl Lovell

More In Campus & Community

Doctoral Candidate Wins Grant for Research on Infrastructure, Violence and Resistance in Pakistan

Bramsh Khan, a Ph.D. candidate in social science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, has been awarded a prestigious Wenner-Gren Foundation Dissertation Fieldwork Grant. The Wenner-Gren Foundation, established in 1941, is dedicated to advancing anthropological knowledge throughout…

Co-President of Disability Law Society Eyes Career in National Security Law in Washington

Kaitlin Sommer L’26 is always planning ahead. Throughout her life, she has continuously asked herself, “Is there a better or more efficient way to do this?”, “Am I advocating for what I need?”, “How can I figure this out by…

National Grid Summer College Scholars Program Invests in Energy Literacy

National Grid and Syracuse University’s Office of Pre-College Programs have partnered to inspire the next generation of innovators through the National Grid Summer College Scholars Program. The program will support selected Syracuse City School District high school students for the…

Bowlers Wanted for Faculty and Staff Bowling League

Do you enjoy bowling? Would you like to try bowling? Are you looking for a fun activity with your colleagues? The Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) Faculty and Staff Bowling League is seeking new…

Lender Center New York Event Gathers Wealth Gap Experts

Nearly 30 Syracuse University faculty and postdoctoral researchers and nationally known thought leaders who study the wealth gap in America explored the issue at a recent event in New York City hosted by the Lender Center for Social Justice. The…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.