GAANN Fellowship

Enhancing Opportunities for Research & Teaching in Biology

The Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship in Biology is available for graduate students who will ultimately pursue a PhD and are planning a career focused on either teaching or research. Recipients will be selected based on their past academic performance and future potential as well as financial need. GAANN fellows may focus on any area in biology and are encouraged to contact individual faculty members to discuss their research interests. GAANN fellows will receive extensive training and experience in teaching and will complete an individual research project culminating in a thesis and MS degree. Individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Requirements How to Apply


Support

GAANN fellows will receive a tuition waiver and a stipend of up to $34,000 annually. The exact stipend amount is dependent upon financial need. In addition, funding for other educational costs (books, software, etc.) may be available.


Selecting a Thesis Advisor

GAANN fellows will select a thesis advisor based on shared research interests. Applicants are encouraged to contact individual faculty members to discuss their plans for accepting graduate students and potential research projects.

Our Faculty

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration, the student must:

  • Be a U. S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Plan to pursue a PhD and a career focused on either teaching or research.
  • Have demonstrated financial need, via evaluation of the FAFSA
  • Have an undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.0

EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status*, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.

*GAANN eligibility criteria relative to citizenship are specified by the Department of Education.

Requirements

  • GAANN fellows will complete the required courses for all MS students in Biology. GAANN fellows may also be required to take courses or attend workshops related to training in teaching and research.
  • As part of their research-based thesis work, GAANN fellows will publicly present their research prospectus and thesis following detailed review by their thesis committee.
  • GAANN fellows will meet with at least one member of the GAANN Leadership Team monthly to discuss research challenges and identify solutions.
  • GAANN fellows will serve as graduate teaching assistants for two quarters each year they are fellows. Teaching effectiveness will be evaluated by members of the GAANN Leadership Team.

How to Apply

Before applying, be sure to contact individual faculty members to discuss their plans for accepting graduate students and potential research projects. You want to be certain you’ll have a thesis advisor for your graduate research.

Review of applicants will begin on Dec. 10, 2022 and will continue until all positions are filled. Fellows must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have financial need, as designated by FAFSA.

NOTE: This deadline is earlier than the general application deadline for admission or GSA support within the Biology Department.

To apply:

  1. Complete a free 2022–2023 application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enter EWU’s school code: 003775.
  2. Complete the online GAANN Fellowship application, which includes your CV and a brief description of your career goals.
  3. Complete the application for admission into graduate school at EWU.

Submit an Application

Your Name(Required)
Please confirm you're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.(Required)

Supporting Documents

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Please upload a personal statement of 200 words or less answering the following question: Why do you believe a PhD is essential for your future career?
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
We'll consider a wide range of factors in our selection of GAANN fellows and encourage individuals with diverse and non-traditional backgrounds to apply. With that in mind, please upload a response to the following prompt in 250 words or less: Describe life experiences or other factors that might go unreported on typical applications but that would help us understand your ability to make a significant contribution to research and/or teaching.
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
For example:
  • What made you want to be a scientist?
  • Describe an experience that changed your viewpoint on a topic or subject.
  • Describe a time when your unique perspective allowed you to provide leadership or solve a problem.
  • Describe an experience when you were discouraged from pursuing a career in biology and how you overcame this challenge.
You're free to be creative in your response to this prompt.

Our Faculty

Explore the research interests of each faculty member.

Jessica Allen, PhD

Assistant Professor
Photo of Jessica Allen, PhD
SCI 268/250

Jason Ashley, PhD

Assistant Professor
Photo of Jason Ashley, PhD
SCI 238/236

Justin Bastow, PhD

Associate Professor
Photo of Justin Bastow, PhD
SCI 260/235

A. Ross Black, PhD

Professor
Photo of A. Ross Black, PhD
SCI 164/152

Rebecca Brown, PhD

Chair
Photo of Rebecca Brown, PhD
SCI 156/245

Judd Case, PhD

Professor
Photo of Judd Case, PhD
SCI 107A

Andrea Castillo, PhD

Professor
Photo of Andrea Castillo, PhD

David Daberkow, PhD

Associate Professor
Photo of David Daberkow, PhD

Charles Herr, PhD

Professor
Photo of Charles Herr, PhD
SCI 237

Bo Idsardi, PhD

Assistant Professor
Photo of Bo Idsardi, PhD
SCI 241A

Krisztian Magori, PhD

Associate Professor
Photo of Krisztian Magori, PhD
SCI 266

Joanna Matos, PhD

Professor
Photo of Joanna Matos, PhD
SCI 234B/240

Luis Matos, PhD

Associate Professor
Photo of Luis Matos, PhD
SCI 293A

Camille McNeely, PhD

Professor
Photo of Camille McNeely, PhD

Robin O'Quinn, PhD

Professor
Photo of Robin O'Quinn, PhD
SCI 234C/242

Paul Spruell, PhD

Associate Chair
Photo of Paul Spruell, PhD
SCI 186B/190

Jenifer Walke, PhD

Assistant Professor
Photo of Jenifer Walke, PhD
SCI 289A