The DeVlieg Foundation has generously provided support this year for graduate students pursuing research in engineering at Michigan Tech. Projects at the intersection of engineering, wildlife, and/or biology are of particular interest to the Foundation.
In summer 2026, one fellowship will be awarded to a doctoral candidate. The recipient will receive a $11,000 stipend and tuition support for three research credits.
Eligibility
Graduate students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:
- Must be conducting research in engineering; projects at the intersection of engineering, wildlife, and/or biology are particularly encouraged
- Must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
- Must be enrolled in a doctoral program.
- Must be a doctoral candidate, or eligible for candidacy at the time of application.
- Must be nominated by the student's graduate program. Each department, college, or interdisciplinary PhD program may nominate one eligible student.
- Must not be supported by another funding mechanism while supported by The DeVlieg Foundation (part-time job, fellowship, GTA, GRA, etc.).
The DeVlieg funds ($10,000) will be used to cover the cost of tuition, and partial stipend. The graduate program, department, or PI must commit to supplementing these funds to ensure a total stipend of $11,000.
Application Procedure
Nominations for The DeVlieg Foundation Fellowships will be accepted annually, pending availability of funds.
Students must submit a complete application to their graduate program director. Each graduate program, department, or college will review their applicants, and may nominate up to one eligible student. Graduate programs will upload their nominee's application as a single PDF file no later than 4p.m. on January 21, 2026.
Application
A complete application will be submitted to the student's graduate program director by an internal deadline that each program may establish. Each application must include:
- A completed application form.
- The applicant's curriculum vita.
- A one-page description of proposed project to be completed during the funding period. Please write so that a broad panel of researchers from across campus can understand the impact and significance of the research.
- A letter of support from advisor describing the merit of the candidate.
Graduate programs will upload their nominee's application as a single PDF file no later than 4p.m. on January 21, 2026.
Evaluation
Applications forwarded to the Graduate School will be evaluated by a panel of faculty representing each of Michigan Tech's colleges. Applications will be evaluated on:
- The impact and significance of the research.
- The ability of the candidate to complete the proposed research during the funding period.
- The merit of the candidate.
Notification
All applicants will be notified of the panel's decision within three weeks of the due date. Recipients will be required to:
- write a thank-you note to The DeVlieg Foundation
- write a summary of the work by September 1 (one-page including: title, summary, research question, methods, and discussion)
- provide a headshot for the foundation
- provide 2-3 photos of the research conducted (photos of the recipient conducting research are particularly compelling!)
The headshot may be included on the Graduate School's webpage or other press releases. Students may request to be excluded from the webpage or other press releases, but releasing photos to the DeVlieg Foundation is a condition of the award.