The Delson Bridge to the Future Fund assists domestic and international graduate students in the final phase of their graduate education to pay research expenses, publication costs, and other incidentals that stand in the way of completing their graduate studies at OSU.

This endowment fund was created to honor Irma Delson who dedicated her many years at OSU to serving students from all over the world. Graduate programs that become aware of emergency situations involving students at the end of their programs may submit requests for limited assistance to offset financial difficulties and promote degree completion.

Award Details

For the 2019-2020 award cycle, we plan to offer up to three awards at $1,000 each. Awards will be made on a one-time only basis, typically during a student's final term in the graduate program, and are intended to help offset the cost of degree completion.

Eligibility

  • Graduate students in graduate degree-seeking programs
  • Students must be in the final phase of their graduate program*
    *At least in the second year for master’s programs, or advanced to candidacy for doctoral programs
  • Students who have an extenuating financial emergency impacting their ability to persist

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation of nominations will be based upon the following:

  • Quality of student’s statement of award impact
  • Quality of letter of nomination; including specific explanation of the financial emergency
  • Quality of student’s CV or Résumé

Nomination Period

The nomination period begins on September 16, 2019. All nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m., October 15, 2019. Awards will be determined in November 2019.

Nomination Procedure

Nominations will only be accepted from the student's home academic program, regardless of their major professor's home program. Students may not submit on their own behalf. Students are encouraged to work with their academic unit to apply.

Programs are asked to only make requests for the most compelling circumstances.

    Nomination Form

    Submit a nomination

    Nomination form overview

    In the nomination form, nominators will be required to prepare/upload the following materials as one PDF document using the following file name convention:
    "Nominee's Last Name_Department_Delson.pdf", and upload it through the nomination form.

    1. Statement from the student describing how the award will advance their graduate studies at Oregon State University and their ability to persist
    2. Letter from student's major professor or unit head/chair attesting to the academic merit of the student, that the student is making satisfactory academic progress, anticipated degree completion, and an explanation of the extenuating financial emergency that may impact their ability to persist if funding is not received
    3. A copy of the student’s résumé or curriculum vitae