Graduate Scholarships/Awards

The Mathematics Department offers the following scholarships and awards:

  • Summer Research Scholarships
  • Joan Kirkham Mathematics Opportunity Award
  • John Bunce Memorial Award
  • Ralph Byers Student Award
  • Paul F. Conrad Graduate Scholarship
  • Florence Black Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • Charles J. and Mary Pat Himmelberg Graduate Student Award

These are competitive scholarships and awards available to math graduate students currently enrolled at KU. The award amounts vary depending on the number of awards made, type of award, and level of scholarship. These scholarships and awards have been made possible through private donors who include alumni, friends and family of the Mathematics Department. Scholarship funds are managed by the KU Endowment Association on behalf of these generous donors. Recipients are recognized at the department's annual honors banquet in April.

Summer Research Scholarships

This scholarship is available for math Ph.D. graduate students who have passed both qualifying exams. The amount of the scholarship depends on available funds and the number of awards made. The department’s Graduate Studies Committee determines who qualifies for the scholarship and the amount of the award followed by approval of the faculty. This scholarship is awarded so that advanced graduate students can concentrate on research and/or prepare for their preliminary or oral comprehensive exam. The scholarship is awarded on the first day of the summer session.

Requirements:

  • Must be currently enrolled in the spring semester.
  • Must have passed two qualifying exams.
  • Must enroll in the summer session the award is received.
  • Must remain in Lawrence for a six-week period during the summer session to perform research and/or prepare for their preliminary or oral comprehensive exam, unless attending an approved workshop, conference, or similar research activity, or receive a waiver from the department chair.
  • Must submit a brief report describing the research and/or studies conducted to the Graduate Studies Committee. The report will have to be previously approved by advisor.

Joan Kirkham Mathematics Opportunity Award

This award is available to math graduate students presenting papers or participating at meetings of professional organizations and for summer research awards. The department chair approves the funding for travel awards. Summer research awards are determined as stated above.

Requirements for summer research awards are the same as above.

Requirements for travel awards:

  • Must be currently enrolled.
  • Must be attending a professional conference or workshop.
  • Must make request in writing with approval of advisor to department chair.
  • Must turn in original receipts for expenses at end of trip.

John Bunce Memorial Award

This award is presented to a math graduate student near completion of their Ph.D. degree. This is a cash award but is meant to be used for travel to a professional conference or workshop. The department chair selects the recipient. The award is made at the annual honors banquet in April.

Requirements:

  • Must be currently enrolled.
  • Must be in academic good standing.

Ralph Byers Student Award

This award is presented to outstanding mathematics graduate students in numerical analysis. A committee consisting of MATH 781/782 instructors and the KU mathematics faculty in numerical analysis select the recipient from eligible students who performed best (based on merit and need) in MATH 781 and MATH 782. The award is made at the annual honors banquet in April.

Requirements:

  • Must be currently enrolled.
  • Must have completed MATH 781 and MATH 782.

Paul F. Conrad Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship is available for math graduate students and is based on academic merit and/or need. The amount of the scholarship depends on available funds. The department chair determines who qualifies for the scholarship and the amount of the award. The award is made at the annual honors banquet in April.

Requirements:

  • Must be currently enrolled.
  • Must be in academic good standing.
  • Must enroll in the summer session the award is received.

Florence Black Award for Excellence in Teaching

This award is made to a graduate teaching assistant in the Mathematics Department. The Teaching Award committee selects the recipient based on teaching evaluations and observation of classroom teaching. The award is made at the annual honors banquet in April.

Requirements:

  • Must be currently enrolled.
  • Must be in academic good standing.
  • Must be a graduate teaching assistant of a math class

Charles J. and Mary Pat Himmelberg Graduate Student Award

This award is used to support graduate students with merit in the Mathematics Department. The award is made at the annual honors banquet in April.

Requirements:

  • Must be currently enrolled.
  • Must be in academic good standing.