Program Objective

The objective of the EPSA Program is to provide support for new PhD students during the first 2 years of their degree program when working with a faculty advisor, who is submitting proposals to Federal funding agencies.

Award Description

• Awards are open to all admitted PhD students on a first come, first serve basis.
• The EPSA covers the student’s stipend, fringe and tuition costs for 2 years, conditionally (see “Eligibility” below).
• Incoming graduate students hired as EPSA students receive a starting stipend of up to $29K by taking advantage of a “top-up” funding opportunity initiated by the Provost’s office for new incoming TAs. (Note: This top-up opportunity applies to all first-year PhD students with a RA/TA appointment and is not exclusive to the EPSA Program.)
• EPSA students are appointed as a 0.5 FTE RA/TA. Faculty advisors may request EPSA-supported students as TAs for their courses; however, final TA assignments are made by the Department.
• ESPAs cannot be extended to students who have received a GSPA.

EPSA Awards