Four Incoming Graduate Students Awarded Inaugural Doctoral Research Excellence Assistantships

Funding requested by the Council of Principal Investigators and provided by the Office of the Chancellor is intended to bolster Texas A&M’s research impact. 

By Kahkasha Wahab, Graduate and Professional School

July 29, 2024 -- Texas A&M University congratulates four recipients of the inaugural Doctoral Research Excellence Assistantship: Ansley Levine (Marine Biology), Bryce Clausen (Psychological and Brain Sciences), Laurel Goldston (Nutrition) and Sungju Jung (Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning). 

The Doctoral Research Excellence Assistantship program offers funding competitive with peer institutions, attracting students with outstanding research backgrounds and the potential to bolster Texas A&M's research capacity and productivity. Texas A&M’s Council of Principal Investigators identified and advocated for additional resources to recruit high-achieving doctoral students. Funding is provided by the Texas A&M University System chancellor’s office. The Graduate and Professional School will be responsible for administrative oversight.

“The Texas A&M University System recognizes the important role doctoral students play in supporting the innovative research happening at Texas A&M,” said Chancellor John Sharp. “By making this investment to recruit the best and brightest students to our doctoral programs, we are further enhancing our research capacity and cementing Texas A&M’s role in preparing today’s young researchers to solve tomorrow’s challenges.”

Each awardee will receive $40,000 annually, along with coverage of tuition and fees, for up to three years. The chancellor's office has committed funding to support incoming student cohorts through the 2026-2027 academic year, at which time the system will conduct a review to assess the efficacy of the program.

The assistantships are open to incoming or first year doctoral students, both domestic and international, in all disciplines.

“We are deeply grateful to Chancellor Sharp and his office for their generous funding, as well as to the CPI for their advocacy on behalf of our graduate students,” said Dr. Fuhui Tong, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School. “This funding will be crucial in enhancing the academic and professional development of our deserving graduate students. It will also elevate graduate education at Texas A&M, strengthening our university’s competitiveness and reputation.”

For more information please visit the Doctoral Research Excellence Fellowship page on our website.