Who Can Apply?

All full-time registered graduate students enrolled at Virginia Tech are eligible to apply. Due to the high number of applicants, a graduate student may not receive more than one GRDP award per academic year. Assistance through the GRDP is competitive and awarded based on a review process given below to help ensure fair decisions.

Review Process

The applications are reviewed in a three step process:

• Step 1: Applications are reviewed by GRDP chair for completeness.
• Step 2: Applications are judged by a committee of graduate students selected to represent each college.
• Step 3: Applications are judged by one faculty member from the applicant’s department. Up to $400 may be awarded for selected Masters proposals and up to $600 for Doctoral proposals (terminal degrees).

Application Eligibility Criteria

1. The presented research must have been conducted at Virginia Tech by full-time graduate students.
2. Justification of funding need is required.
3. A student can only receive a GRDP award once per academic year.
4. Advisor approval must be obtained before applying.
5. NEWS - Diversity Scholarship in no longer available due to budget cuts. This does not affect the regular GRDP funds.
   In conjunction with the office of multicultural affairs, applications may be submitted for consideration for funding in diversity related research. Each cycle, two awards will be granted in the amount of $500. The application process is the same as the GRDP; however, an additional review by multicultural affairs is required for approval. To be considered, check the box next to “Diversity Grant” on the first page of the application form. You are only able to receive funding from the GRDP or the diversity scholarship, whichever is greater. If you are not selected for the diversity scholarship, it will in no way affect the decision of the GRDP selection.