Fellowship Deadlines
Deadlines vary by fellowship opportunity. Please consult with your department or program to make sure that you have the correct deadline for the fellowship in which you are interested.
For a list of Graduate School Fellowship and Award opportunities, please go to the Graduate School Student Fellowships and Awards webpage.
Deadlines
Onboarding New Postdocs
Who is a Postdoc?
A postdoctoral researcher ("postdoc") is an individual holding a doctoral degree who is engaged in a temporary period of mentored research and/or scholarly training for the purpose of acquiring the professional skills needed to pursue a career path of his or her choosing. (NIH/NSF definition)
Faculty & Staff Awards
Dean's Fellowship Program
The Graduate School's Dean's Fellowships are offered by graduate programs in order to create greater flexibility in creating overall support packages for students. Graduate School Dean's Fellowships may be used as recruitment tools for prospective students or as awards for currently enrolled students. Each year, the Graduate School allocates a certain number of Dean’s Fellowships to colleges who then allocate the fellowships to programs. Programs are then responsible for recruiting and retaining outstanding students.
Postdoctoral Associates
Postdoctoral associates are employee-trainees who:
- Receive salaries funded by research grants,
- Are employed as academic or staff personnel, and
- Work under a principal investigator whose research proposal is funded by the government or other external entity.
This usually occurs when the individual’s training is accomplished through the performance of obligations on a sponsored contract. The appointments of such individuals will show an appropriate percentage of employment in the PHR System and a salary payment.
New Graduate Student Orientation
#NewGradTerps Orientation 2025-2026
We are so happy to welcome you to your first semester as a GradTerp!
The Graduate School is hosting our campus-wide Graduate School New Student Orientation asynchronously through ELMS-Canvas.
Transcripts and Diplomas/Degree Certificates
Outstanding Graduate Assistant Awards
Approximately 4,000 UMD graduate students also serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. The Graduate School recognizes the outstanding contributions that these GAs provide to students, faculty, departments, administrative units, and the University as a whole. The Graduate School awards approximately 80 Outstanding Graduate Assistant Awards annually, which represents roughly the top 2% of campus GA's in a given year. The AY 25-26 Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award winners will receive a credit for mandatory fees in the Spring 2026 Semester.