Awards
Source: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/funding/awards Parent: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions
Professional & Student Awards
Nominations Open:\ October 27, 2025
Nominations Close:\ February 13, 2026 - Deadline extended!
The Graduate School coordinates annual award programs to honor outstanding individuals. These awards are generously underwritten by the University Co-op and presented at the annual Graduate School/University Co-op Awards Banquet each spring.
Student Awards
Outstanding Dissertation Award
The Outstanding Dissertation Award was established in 1979 to recognize exceptional work and to encourage the highest levels of scholarship, research and writing.
Outstanding Master's Thesis Award
The Outstanding Master’s Thesis/Report Award was established to recognize exceptional work by master’s students and to encourage the highest levels of scholarship, research and writing.
Outstanding Graduate Student Academic Employee Award
The William S. Livingston Outstanding Graduate Student Academic Employee Award honors outstanding performance by graduate student academic employees.
Professional Awards
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award
The Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award recognizes the distinguished teaching of a graduate faculty member.
Outstanding Graduate Coordinator Award
The Outstanding Graduate Coordinator Award recognizes the exemplary service of a graduate coordinator.
Outstanding Graduate Adviser Award
The Outstanding Graduate Adviser Award recognizes the exemplary service of a graduate adviser.
Outstanding Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Mentoring Awards
The Outstanding Graduate Student Mentoring and Postdoctoral Scholar Mentoring Awards recognize faculty members who demonstrate outstanding mentorship of graduate students and/or postdoctoral scholars.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should the nomination and supporting letters be?
There’s no required length. Please be sure that all requested information is thoroughly included in both the nomination and supporting documentation.
What are the nomination categories for the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation and Master’s Thesis or Report awards?
There are three main areas:
Area A — Humanities and Fine Arts\ Includes programs focused on human culture, expression, and historical understanding.\ \ Examples:
- Humanities: English / Literature, History, Philosophy, Linguistics, Religious Studies, Classics, Cultural Studies
- Fine Arts: Studio Art, Art History, Music (Performance, Composition, Theory), Theatre and Dance, Film and Media Studies, Creative Writing
Area B — Social Sciences, Business, and Education\ Covers disciplines that study society, human behavior, and organizational systems.\ \ Examples:
- Social Sciences: Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Political Science, Geography, Economics, Public Affairs / Public Policy
- Business: MBA Programs, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, Information Systems
- Education: Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Special Education, Higher Education Administration, Counseling and Student Services
Area C — Mathematics, Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Biological and Life Sciences\ Includes programs focused on scientific inquiry, quantitative analysis, and technological innovation.\ \ Examples:
- Mathematics: Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Computational Science
- Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical and Computer, Civil, Chemical, Biomedical, Aerospace Engineering
- Physical Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences (Geology, Geophysics), Astronomy, Materials Science
- Biological and Life Sciences: Biology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Ecology, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences
Can I submit an incomplete dissertation or thesis for the Outstanding Dissertation & Master’s Thesis/Report award?
No. Only completed dissertations and master’s theses/reports will be considered. Incomplete submissions are not eligible but may be submitted the following year once finalized.
Who should nomination letters be addressed to?
All nomination letters should be addressed to the Review Committee.
What is the submission deadline?
All submissions must be received by 11:59 PM CST on the day of the stated deadline on the awards page.
How many nominations can each department submit for the Outstanding Student Employee award?
Each department may submit one nomination per category: one for a Teaching Assistant (TA) and one for an Assistant Instructor (AI).