The Russell J. and Dorothy S. Bilinski Fellowships

At a Glance

Number Awarded
10
Amount Awarded
$42,000 plus full base tuition and student health insurance if enrolled
Application Period
for 2025-26 academic year
Process
By Nomination
Funding Type
Cash Award/Stipend
Tuition Award
Eligibility Category
Domestic Doctoral Students

About

The Russell J. and Dorothy S. Bilinski Fellowships – A Program of the Bilinski Educational Foundation

Russell J. and Dorothy (Doro) S. Bilinski's goal in life was to be independent and challenged intellectually. They strongly believed in people being self-sufficient, ambitious, and above all, responsible. Both Russell and Doro were true intellectuals, as well as being adventuresome, independent and driven. Russell was a researcher, academician and an entrepreneur. Doro was an accomplished artist and patron of the arts. Russell and Doro believed that education was a means to obtain independence, and this is the legacy they wished to pass on to others.  The Bilinski Educational Foundation was established to fulfill this legacy by providing fellowship funds for post-secondary education for students who have demonstrated, and are likely to maintain, both the highest academic achievement and good moral character, but who lack the financial resources to pay for the highest caliber post-secondary education.

Award Amount: $42,000 over 18 months if enrolled (see breakdown)

  • Fall - $12,000 plus tuition and student health insurance
  • Spring - $12,000 plus tuition and student health insurance
  • Summer - $6,000 registration not required (health insurance covered under Spring premium)
  • Fall - $12,000 plus tuition and student health insurance

 

Bilinski Educational Foundation funds are used to provide financial support for top PhD students in one of the fields listed below as they complete and defend their dissertations.

  • All Fellows will be required to cover their own AFAT fee.
  • Fellowship funding may be used by the student for payment of fees, books, field research materials, and necessary living and educational expenses.
  • Fellows may not hold concurrent graduate assistant/associateships, student wage positions, or any other form of paid employment.
  • Awards may not be deferred for the following or future years.
  • There is a mandatory professional development requirement.

 

Application Deadline:
February 28, 2025 for 2025-26 academic year

Eligibility

Eligible University of Arizona Ph.D. programs

  • American Indian Studies
  • Communication
  • East Asian Studies
  • English (Literature and Rhetoric, Composition and the Teaching of English)
  • Gender and Women’s Studies
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Mexican American Studies
  • Middle Eastern and North African Studies
  • Persian and Iranian Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Second Language Acquisition and Teaching
  • Spanish and Portuguese
  • Transcultural German Studies

Applicant Eligibility (based on the applicant’s status at the time of award)

The eligible applicant:

  • Is a US citizen or Permanent Resident eligible to apply for US citizenship
  • Has at least a graduate 3.9 GPA
  • Is a full-time doctoral student in one of the eligible graduate programs listed above
  • Is making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the degree
  • At the time of award 
    • has passed all comprehensive examinations and course requirements
    • has completed at least 6 units of dissertation credit
    • has advanced to candidacy or who will advance to candidacy in the upcoming academic award year
    • has not substantially completed the dissertation (meaning no more than 75% of the dissertation has been completed)
  • Is in need of financial support to complete his or her degree, as demonstrated through the FAFSA and outlined on the application budget form
  • Has demonstrated exceptional ability and potential in his or her field of study and will maintain good academic standing throughout the award period
  • Will devote full-time effort toward dissertation completion for each semester (including summer semesters) in which fellowship funds are provided
  • Will participate in various professional development opportunities that are offered through the Graduate Center, including Grad Slam. (Please note that verification of attendance of at least 2 professional development workshops per semester will be required before the following term's fellowship funds are disbursed)
  • Must be available in person to present research to the Bilinski Education Foundation Board
  • Will provide a report each semester, showing significant progress towards the completion of the degree

Instructions

  1. A current FAFSA must be on file for determining need. Do not send verification. The information is available in UAccess Student. (Please note that if awarded you will be required to file the FAFSA again for the year of award.)
  2. Your current Graduate Plan of Study must be approved. File through UA Grad Path. Do not send verification. The information is available in UAccess Student.
  3. Transcripts will be reviewed through UAccess Student. Please do not submit transcripts.
  4. Submit the following pdf files with "lastname, firstname" on top of each page (header) and page numbers at the bottom right (footer) in Times Roman 12 pt single spaced through the online Nomination Form:
    • Cover sheet that lists name, UA student ID (SID), academic program, faculty advisor, and a statement that confirms the term of expected completion. The cover sheet should be signed and dated by both applicant and faculty advisor.
    • One-page statement of personal and professional goals.
    • A brief written summary of your notable accomplishments and academic achievements (to be shared with Bilinski Foundation if awarded). 
    • A strong letter of recommendation from your department head or faculty mentor. The recommendation should outline why you are a priority for the award and should address your scholarly excellence.
    • A budget for 12 months (including cost of living, research travel, research materials), current student loan debt (undergrad/grad), and a short summary concerning other factors affecting your level of need.
    • One-page Dissertation Research Abstract. 
    • An updated CV.
  5. If awarded, the Fellow will sign an award acceptance and a release form that includes a statement of commitment that the Fellow will participate in various professional development workshops offered through the Graduate Center (presenting research to donors and potential employers, CV writing, etc.), will present in person to the Bilinski Education Foundation Board, and will not hold a graduate assistant/associateship or student wage position during the tenure of the award. Registration requirement is at minimum one 900-level unit. Please note that verification of attendance of at least 2 professional development workshops per semester will be required before the following term's fellowship funds are disbursed.

Contact

Lori D'Anna, Executive Associate, Graduate College Dean's Office