The Rose Graduate Fellowship in Water Research will benefit students enrolled in any graduate program at MSU to help to address the looming global water crisis and support the next generation of scientists who will help us solve water problems here in Michigan, the Great Lakes, nationally, and globally. One award will be issued each year provided a suitable applicant can be identified. Fellowships will be approximately $1,800. Recipients must acknowledge funding support through the Rose Graduate Fellowship Fund at Michigan State University when appropriate (e.g., research presentations, publications).

This fund provides monies to be used to enhance the educational experience of graduate students at MSU whose research focuses on water. Awards shall be made to graduate students pursuing advanced degrees. Funds may be used to support research or for travel.

About the Rose Fellowship: Dr. Joan and Tom Rose, who live in Williamston, have strong ties to Michigan State University. Joan’s position as professor and the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research in Fisheries and Wildlife coupled with her passion for water, motivated the couple to establish a fellowship fund to support graduate students on campus who are doing research in water: fresh or salt. A part of the Roses’ gift came from the Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Water Prize, presented to Dr. Rose in 2001 for significant contributions to Water Science and Technology, from the National Water Research Institute.

Applications must include the following:

1. Completed cover form (PDF)
2. Short statement (not to exceed one typed, single-spaced page) indicating the relationship of their graduate work to water science and financial need. Students should provide a brief statement on how their graduate work is tied to water science and their expectations for how their research will advance the science. Student should indicate types of financial support previously received as a graduate student, current support, and expected support through the duration of their program. Students should also indicate how they would use the money from the fellowship if awarded.
3. Confidential Letter of Support from Major Advisor. Student should request a letter from their intended or current major advisor at MSU. This letter should include faculty assessment of student performance toward degree completion or potential to complete their degree in a timely manner, the student’s financial need, and the student’s interest in and commitment to water science related issues. Letter should be sent directly to Dr. Erin Dreelin via email by the major advisor.
4. Additional Confidential Reference Letter. Students should request a letter of support from someone who is knowledgeable about the student’s academic and / or professional goals. Reference should comment on the student’s potential for excellence in research area and future promise. The letter should be sent directly to Dr. Erin Dreelin via email by the letter writer.
5. Current CV or resume.

Applications must be submitted electronically to: Dr. Erin Dreelin, dreelin@msu.edu by 5:00 P.M. on April 14, 2023. Please include “Rose Fellowship” in the subject line for all application materials. Late materials will not be accepted. Please contact Dr. Erin Dreelin (dreelin@msu.edu) if you have any questions about the fellowship. Awards will be announced in late May. Funds will be awarded the following fall.

Previous Rose Graduate Fellows:

• 2019-20 Demetris Coleman, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• 2018-19 Ryan Julien, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
• 2017-18 Nathan Brugnone, Community Sustainability
• 2016-17 Joel Betts, Fisheries and Wildlife
• 2015-16 Toni Walkowiak, Geo, Environ, and Spatial Sciences
• 2014-15 Kateri Salk, Integrative Biology