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Biology

Funding and Research Support

Funding is provided for doctoral students through a combination of the Department of Biology and associated research institute resources. Students typically earn financial support through teaching assistantships (first year), and research assistantships and federally supported training grants in subsequent years. In addition to 12-month stipends, students also:

  • Receive tuition waivers
  • Pay significantly reduced student fees (currently students pay just $61/term)
  • Enjoy excellent health insurance coverage (95% of premium paid by the university)

Stipend levels are adjusted annually to be competitive with those offered by other major research universities (taking cost-of-living into account). The stipend for 2023-24 is $31,607 ($7,902 per quarter).

Funding for PhD students is guaranteed for five years and is contingent upon the student making satisfactory academic progress. Funding support is not guaranteed for master's students, however when funds are available through research grants or teaching assistantships, it can be arranged on a term-by-term basis.

Students may qualify for specialized training as part of three programs supported by NIH Training Grants:

Scholarships

Current students may apply for Department of Biology annual scholarships which include the following:

William R. Sistrom Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility: Biology graduate students. Candidates shall show exceptional promise for achievement in their chosen academic field as evidenced by GPA, originality of research, teaching evaluations. The award is not restricted to resident or non-resident, part-time or full-time. *Applicants who have won this award in the past are not eligible to apply again.

Award: up to $1,600 per recipient

How to apply:

  • Applicant's full name, UO identification number, mailing address and email address
  • One page statement
  • Academic transcripts (unofficial acceptable)
  • Letter of support from research adviser
  • Include a statement of what funds will be used for and a description of the impact of the Sistrom award on the applicant's ability to conduct the proposed research.

This award could be used to contribute to the student's standard stipend, to pay for experiments (e.g. sequencing) or to purchase a specific piece of equipment. Awards will be allocated for fall 2024.

Deadline: April 12, 2024

Please submit all application materials electronically to Annie Rogers, Department of Biology at arogers2@uoregon.edu.

Paul and Helen Weiser Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students who achieve academic excellence, who are in substantial need of financial assistance, and who show promise for worthwhile achievement in later life. Students must quality for financial need which is determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) Apply for FASFA.

There is no citizenship requirement for this award.

International students who would like to be considered should fill out the Financial Resource Form and submit it to the Office of International Affairs. This is what the Financial Aid office uses in place of a FASFA.

Award: up to $4,000

How to apply:

  • Applicant's full name, UO identification number, mailing address and email address
  • One page statement
  • A brief statement of need
  • Academic transcripts (unofficial acceptable)
  • Letter of support from research adviser

This award is a one-year unrestricted award and may be used for tuition, fees, stipend, books, etc. Awards will be allocated for fall 2024. *Applicants who have won this award in the past are not eligible to apply again.

Deadline: April 12, 2024

Please submit all application materials electronically to Annie Rogers, Department of Biology, at arogers2@uoregon.edu

Donald Wimber Fund Award

Eligibility: Biology junior faculty, research associates, or graduate students. Award to be used to provide support for travel to conference(s) to present their research work.

Award: up to $2,000 per award; multiple awards available

How to apply:

Junior faculty and research associates:

  • CV
  • One page statement
  • Letters of support from two faculty members

Graduate students:

  • Applicant's full name, UO identification number, mailing address and email address
  • One page statement
  • Academic transcripts (unofficial acceptable)
  • Letters of support from two faculty members
  • Include with application a budget with the cost of attendance/travel and the amount covered by other funding sources

*Applicants who have won this award in the past are not eligible to apply again.

Deadline: April 12, 2024

Please submit all application materials electronically to Annie Rogers, Department of Biology, at arogers2@uoregon.edu