Deadline extended!

GRO and OLLI Fellowship applications will be open through April 17, 2025. Apply today!

Through collaborations led by the Graduate Research Opportunities (GRO) program, there are fellowship opportunities available for USM graduate students for the 2025-26 academic year. This page has information pertinent to each of them, including the application processes, participation requirements, and financial benefits for each. For an at-a-glance look at how these opportunities compare, see the table at the bottom of the page. Students are welcome to apply for both fellowships but may only receive one.

Find more information about our 2025-26 Graduate Fellowships by viewing the slide deck and recording from our information session held on Friday, March 14. Be sure to reach out to usm.gro@maine.edu with any questions!

Slide deck Recording

GRO Fellowship

The GRO Fellows Program will select six students to join a cohort of researchers, and receive a $3,000 scholarship.

Are you a passionate graduate student looking to make a difference in your field while gaining invaluable research experience? The University of Southern Maine (USM) invites you to apply for the prestigious Graduate Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellows program for the 2025-26 school year! The GRO Fellows program is designed to support and nurture talented graduate students across various disciplines, offering you the chance to conduct cutting-edge research, collaborate with distinguished faculty, and contribute to groundbreaking projects.

As a GRO Fellow, you will have the unique opportunity to:

  • Engage in Interdisciplinary Research: Work on innovative projects that span multiple fields, providing a comprehensive and diverse learning experience.
  • Enhance Your Skills: Gain additional knowledge in research methodologies, data analysis, research dissemination, IRB protocols.
  • Contribute to Real-World Solutions: Address pressing societal issues and make a tangible impact on the community by developing policies and interventions that promote equity.
  • Receive Mentorship and Support: Benefit from personalized mentorship from experienced faculty members, peers, alumni, and access to a wealth of resources and support services.
  • Advance Your Career: Build a strong foundation for your future career by acquiring practical research skills and experience that will set you apart in the job market.
  • Make a Difference: Play a crucial role in addressing social problems and contribute to the well-being of diverse populations in Maine and beyond.
  • Collaborate and Network: Join a vibrant community of fellows, researchers, and practitioners dedicated to advancing knowledge and creating positive change.
  • Secure Financial Support: Receive funding to support your research activities, allowing you to focus on your studies and professional development.

In order to be eligible to be named a GRO Fellow, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a current graduate student at USM and enrolled in courses during the 2025-26 academic year.
  • Demonstrate a strong academic record and a commitment to research and social justice.
  • Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Be eager to engage in research and contribute to the body of knowledge in your field.

To apply, please prepare and upload the following materials in Word or PDF formats to the application form:

  • Cover letter (maximum of 850 words) detailing your interest in the GRO Fellows program and how it aligns with your academic and career goals. See cover letter guidelines below.
  • Current resume or CV highlighting your academic achievements and research experience.
  • Brief research proposal (1-2 pages) outlining a potential project you would like to pursue as a GRO Fellow. See research proposal requirements below.
  • Letter of support from a faculty member who can speak to your qualifications, potential, and commitment to serving as your faculty advisor.

Submit applications to the form linked here by April 17, 2025 (extended from March 31).

Please respond to all four prompts below, adhering to the specified word limits for each, and upload your final document in the application form:

Understanding Interdisciplinary Research

  • Prompt: Interdisciplinary research is essential for addressing complex societal challenges. In 400 words or less, respond to the following: What is your understanding of interdisciplinary research, and why is it important in solving societal issues? How do your academic and professional goals align with the principles of interdisciplinary research? 

Commitment to Ethical Research Practices

  • Prompt: Ethical considerations are fundamental to research. In 200 words or less, describe a situation in which you encountered an ethical dilemma in your academic or professional experience. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?

Relevant Experience and Skills

  • Prompt: Your background and experiences shape your ability to conduct impactful research. In 150 words or less, describe the knowledge and skills you have gained from previous work, volunteer, or life experiences that will contribute to your success in the GRO Fellows program. Provide specific examples of how these experiences have prepared you for this opportunity.

Time Management and Commitment

  • Prompt: The GRO Fellows program requires a significant commitment of time and effort. Participation includes a virtual orientation session, two GRO research events per semester, and a research presentation at Thinking Matters in Spring 2026. In 100 words or less, explain how you plan to balance the program’s time and workload requirements alongside your other responsibilities.

Provide details of your research using the prompts below, adhering to a maximum of two single-spaced pages.

Title

  • Your title is an impactful indicator of your research project. 
  • Provide a clear and concise title that accurately reflects the focus of your research.

Introduction and Background

  • Introduce your research topic in a clear and compelling way. 
  • Articulate the context and significance of your study. 
  • Provide relevant background information in a well-organized manner. 
  • Include a purpose statement for your research.

Research Question(s) and Objective(s)

  • Clearly define your research question(s) and objective(s). 
  • Ensure they are specific, well-structured, and aligned with the overall purpose of your study. 

Methodology

  • Detail the methods you will use, ensuring they are appropriate for your research question and feasible within the time frame and resources available. 
  • Include clear descriptions of data collection and analysis methods. 

Significance and Impact

  • Clearly articulate the significance and potential impact of your research. 
  • Show how your study contributes to the field and addresses specific issues or gaps. 

Timeline and Budget

  • Provide a detailed, realistic timeline outlining key milestones and deadlines. 
  • Include a specific budget with an overview of anticipated research expenses.

The application will require you to upload a letter of support from a faculty advisor associated with your program. 

Your selected faculty advisor should be familiar with your academic and research background, including your resume, cover letter, and research proposal submitted with your GRO Fellow application. The letter should reflect their support for your research project with GRO and provide insight into your suitability for the program and proposed research.

Apply to be a GRO Fellow

OLLI Fellowship

Now in its fifth year, the OLLI Graduate Student Fellowship was established at the University of Southern Maine with a gift from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). The Fellowship provides scholarships of $3,000 to a cohort of five selected USM graduate students whose research, scholarship or creative activity focus on social and environmental justice, adult education, or issues related to aging and wellness.

Project Progress

In the OLLI Fellowship application, students are required to describe their research, scholarship, or creative activity pursuits. During the academic year, fellows are expected to make progress toward their graduate degree and actively work toward their positive impact on issues related to  social and environmental justice, adult education, or issues related to aging and wellness, while engaging with a cohort of other graduate student researchers. 

Brightspace Engagement

As members of the graduate research community, OLLI Fellows will have access to the Graduate Research Opportunities (GRO) Brightspace. Each month during the academic year, a new module containing curated, research skill-building content will become available. With valuable topics such as interdisciplinary communication, data analysis techniques, and dissemination of research findings, OLLI Fellows will be encouraged to actively participate within this Brightspace course and engage with their graduate research colleagues. 

Workshop & Event Attendance

Part of a broader network of graduate researchers and scholars at USM, the OLLI Fellows will participate in two GRO/OLLI research events each semester. Designed to support students’ progress, these workshops will reinforce concepts from the GRO Brightspace modules and may include topics such as innovative research methodologies, engaging with USM’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), and general research technical assistance. 

Year-End Presentation

 At the end of the academic year, the OLLI Fellows will be required to present their research to members of the OLLI Board. OLLI Fellows will also be given the opportunity to present their research alongside other graduate research scholars, during USM’s annual Thinking Matters event.

In order to be eligible to be named an OLLI Fellow, students must be:

  • A matriculated student in a master’s or doctoral degree at USM during the 2025-26 academic year
  • In good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better 
  • Enrolled in at least 6 graduate credits per semester (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026)
  • Eager to engage in research and contribute to the body of knowledge in their field.

Applications are open for several weeks in March 2025 and are then reviewed by a team of USM faculty and staff members from OLLI and the Graduate Research Opportunities program.  

In their application, students are expected to provide a brief statement describing how their research, scholarship or creative activity focuses on social and environmental justice, adult education, or issues related to aging, including research question(s) and method(s). Students must also describe how they intend for their research to have a positive impact on them and their respective field during and/or after graduate school, and include a specific budget with an overview of anticipated research expenses.

Submit applications to the form linked here by April 17, 2025 (extended from March 31).

Apply to be an OLLI Fellow
GRO FellowsOLLI Fellows
Application Open DateMarch 11, 2025March 11, 2025
Application FormLinked hereLinked here
Application DeadlineApril 17, 2025 (extended from March 31)April 17, 2025 (extended from March 31)
Eligibility Requirements– Matriculated student in a master’s or doctoral degree at USM during the 2025-26 academic year

– Demonstrating a commitment to research and social justice in any discipline

– Enrolled in graduate-level coursework at USM during the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters

– Be in good academic standing and maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA

– Eager to engage in, and contribute to, research in your field

– Thorough and compelling application submission		– Matriculated student in a master’s or doctoral degree at USM during the 2025-26 academic year

– Research or creative work focuses on areas of social and environmental justice, adult education, or issues related to aging and wellness

– Enrolled in at least 6 graduate credits per semester (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026)

– Be in good academic standing and maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA

– Eager to engage in, and contribute to, research in your field

– Thorough and compelling application submission
Participation Requirements– Participate in a virtual orientation session

– Attend two GRO/OLLI research events each semester

– Present research at Thinking Matters in Spring 2026)		– Participate in a virtual orientation session

– Attend two GRO/OLLI research events each semester

– Present research to members of the OLLI Board at the end of the academic year
Financial Benefits– $3,000 scholarship for the academic year$3,000 scholarship for the academic year
Faculty SupportFaculty advisor and letter of support requiredFaculty advisor name required
Peer SupportResearch cohortResearch cohort
This table provides a high-level comparison of the differences between the GRO and OLLI Fellowship programs.

For more information about the Graduate Research Opportunity (GRO) Program and the Mini-Grant funding available for graduate students, visit the GRO Program page.

To learn more about current and former OLLI Fellows and their research interests, visit the OLLI Fellows page.

Reach out to usm.gro@maine.edu with questions about our graduate fellowships and research opportunities.