Awards Available in Psychology - Academic Achievements, Special Recognitions, and more

Below are various financial awards offered within the Psychology Department. You can click on the award title to view the descriptions and background of the award, as well as required documents to include in your submissions should you choose to apply when they are open to submissions.

The Galileo Circle promotes excellence within the College of Science Departments and Units by supporting innovation in research and teaching, as well as providing scholarships to outstanding students and fellowships to distinguished faculty.

More information on application requirements, deadlines, and more coming soon! 

Galileo Circle Scholars

Each year, the Galileo Circle awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate exceptional potential in the physical, mathematical, environmental, cognitive, or life sciences.

Galileo Circle Copernicus Awards

The Copernicus Award recognizes extraordinary accomplishments by non-tenure eligible faculty or staff which significantly advance the mission of their department and the knowledge base of their discipline.

Updated 02/08/23

Kathryn Anne Governal Perseverance Award 

Award Amount: $200

About the Award: 

Kathryn Anne Governal (1966-1999) is remembered as an empathetic and caring journalist. Kathryn was very popular student at the University of Arizona, earning her Bachelor of Media Arts degree with a minor in Journalism in December of 1995. She also went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Arizona in May of 1998. In the Spring of 2000, the family of Kathryn Anne Governal decided to celebrate her life and her determination by funding the annual Kathryn Anne Governal Perseverance Award Endowment.

The Kathryn Anne Governal Perseverance Award is awarded annually to one student in the Psychology Department (graduating in May 2022) who is persevering in the face of great difficulties. The student awarded this distinction will be given a $200 award and an individual plaque in honor of their accomplishments. A permanent plaque, inscribed with all recipients’ names, is prominently displayed in the Psychology Building. Submissions are accepted and reviewed during the Spring semesters - email notifications with additional details and instructions will be sent out when the award opens for applications.

Applicant Eligibility:

  • Psychology senior, graduating in May
  • Financial need and grade point average (GPA) are not criteria for selection.

Required Documents:

  • Personal Statement - should be no more than 550 words and should be uploaded in PDF format - titled "(StudentLastName)_Governal".
  1. Student First and Last Name  
  2. UA Student ID Number
  3. Student's email address
  4. Major(s):
  5. Information on the challenges that you have encountered in life and your undergraduate career, and how you have persisted toward your goal of graduation and overcome these obstacles.

Questions?

Contact Vanessa Noonkester

Updated 03/02/23 

Psychology Outstanding Senior Award / College of Science Outstanding Senior Award

Award Amount: $250

About the Award: 

The recipient of the department award will automatically be nominated by the department for the College of Science Outstanding Senior Award and the Spring Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award, respectively. Award nominations are an excellent way to advocate for our wonderful students, especially first-generation students and those from diverse backgrounds. Submissions are accepted and reviewed during the Spring semesters - email notifications with additional details and instructions will be sent out when the award opens for applications.

Applicant Eligibility:

  • Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
  • Summary of Research Activity

Required Documents:

  • Personal Statement
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Student Information Sheet (provided in award communications)

Questions?

Contact Vanessa Noonkester

Updated 03/02/23

William Owen Nugent Award / College of Science Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award

Award Amount: $1,000

About the Award: 

The William Owen Nugent Award for excellence in undergraduate research is given yearly by the Department of Psychology to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in research and academics. The recipient of the award will be automatically nominated by the Department for the College of Science Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award, which will be selected by the CoS Awards Committee. Award nominations are an excellent way to advocate for our wonderful students, especially first-generation students and those from diverse backgrounds. Submissions are accepted and reviewed during the Spring semesters - email notifications with additional details and instructions will be sent out when the award opens for applications.

Applicant Eligibility:

  • Being a Senior, graduating in May
  • One (1) or more Letters of Recommendation

Required Documents:

  • Student Information Sheet (which can be found HERE when available)
  • Research Summary/Curriculum Vitae
  • Research Statement
  • Personal Statement
  • Student Information Sheet (provided in award communications)

Questions?

Contact Vanessa Noonkester

Updated 03/02/23

Conference Presentation Awards

Award Amount: up to $500

About the Award: 

The Department of Psychology is pleased to announce Conference Presentation Awards to help support pre-Psychological Science or Psychological Science undergraduates presenting at conferences with their travel costs. We will consider funding requests of up to $500, and preference will be given to first-time presenters at conferences. If awarded, funds will be distributed via the student's Bursar account. Receipts and other documentation will need to be collected to provide proof of travel (further instructions for proper use and verification of funds will be provided upon notice of receiving the award).

Deadlines:

There is a rolling deadline for these awards which means that applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed until our funds are depleted.

Required Documents:

  • Completion of Qualtrics survey
  • Letter of recommendation - from sponsoring Psychology representative: faculty member, postdoctoral fellow, or graduate student 
  • Unofficial transcript - downloadable from UAccess account
  • Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume 
  • Evidence that your submission was accepted for presentation by the conference - when available

NOTE: All of these accompanying materials should be submitted to this Box folder: 
psychology.arizona.edu/submission-folder

*When you submit items to the Box folder, please make sure to indicate that you are applying for a Travel Award.

Updated: 02/27/24


We also offer information on Undergraduate scholarships within the department and College of Science.

Committee Head for Undergraduate Engagement and Awards: TBD

Graduate students can review Financial Aid resources in our Graduate Programs section, our available Travel Stipend, as well as view our Fellowship opportunities.

Questions?

Contact Vanessa Noonkester, vnoonkester@arizona.edu


 

College of Science Grants Open to Employee Applications:

CoSSAC Professional Development Grant

The College of Science Staff Advisory Council (CoSSAC) offers grants at different times throughout the academic year to assist with fees related to professional development. This includes funding for training and travel.

Deadlines:

Applications are due every:

  • March 15th - for events occurring between Jan 1 and May 31 
  • July 15th - for events occurring between May 1 and Sept 30 
  • November 15th - for events occurring between Sept 1 and Jan 31

Eligibility:

To apply for this grant, you will need to meet the following requirements:

  • Must be a UA Staff member (Students, faculty, and post-docs are not eligible for this particular award.)
  • Employed for at least 6 months in the College of Science
  • Have not already yet received a grant award within the same academic year

Award Amount:

  • Ranges between $50 - $400

More Information:

CoSSAC Professional Development page

Updated: 03/04/24


Updated: 06/20/24 

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