Welcome Back! - September Newsletter

A Message from the Dean

Welcome back to a new academic year in Bloomington! I hope everyone is enjoying the crisp, cooler weather and a break from the summer heat. Each fall brings a renewed sense of energy and possibility, and I am delighted to see our community of scholars, professors, and researchers, new and continuing, diving into this semester.

This semester will be filled with opportunities to grow, connect, and take meaningful steps toward your goals. The Graduate School has many career development programs and workshops to look forward to. We are excited to share teaching fellowships opportunities, grant-writing workshops, community-building events, and our new upcoming financial literacy workshops to help you plan for your future with confidence. There are countless ways to engage and make the most of your graduate experience.

Graduate school is a journey that requires persistence, curiosity, and collaboration, and I encourage you to take advantage of the resources and support available along the way. Most importantly, remember that you are part of a vibrant intellectual community that values your contributions and is here to support your success.

I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the months ahead, and I wish you a productive, inspiring, and joyful semester.

Warm regards,

David Daleke
Dean, IUB Graduate School

Future Faculty Teaching Fellowship Info and Application Session

The Future Faculty Teaching Fellowship at Indiana University provides advanced PhD candidates with funding, hands-on teaching experience, and faculty mentorship on another campus in Indiana. The program places fellows on IU’s regional campuses and at Butler University, where they engage different student populations and develop inclusive pedagogy and professional skills. This opportunity bridges doctoral study and academic careers, fostering excellence in teaching and scholarship.

Join us for an informational session and jumpstart your application on Wednesday, September 17th, at 9am in Wells Library. Please register here.

At this event, we will learn more about the FFTF experience and help with the application process. We will hear about the experiences of fellows, look at application examples, and start writing applications. The fellowship is open to advanced MFA and IUB doctoral students.

Graduate Student Finances & Funding Workshop Series

Empower Your Financial Future

In partnership with MoneySmarts, the Graduate School is sponsoring a series of practical, informative workshops designed specifically for graduate students. These workshops will aid in understanding finances, planning for the future, and navigating the complexities of funding. All sessions will be 10-11am in E174 Wells Library. Topics include:

Navigating Taxes as a Graduate Student (Sept 22)
Financial Planning for Grad Students (Oct 13)
How to Plan for Student Loan Repayment (Nov 3)
How to Research Loan Opportunities and Manage Credit (Dec 8)

The first session, Navigating Taxes as a Graduate Student, is scheduled for September 22nd at 10-11am in E174 Wells Library.

Career Coaching and Support

General career support reminder

The start of a new academic year is a great time to reflect on your career goals. No matter your stage of grad school or career development, IUB offers support through one-on-one appointments, workshops, and events with the University Graduate School. You can also connect with your school’s career services office for additional career services opportunities.

Exploratory PhD: A career exploration cohort for PhD candidates

Applications are open through September 14 for the “Exploratory PhD” cohort program for candidates considering careers beyond traditional academic roles. The program provides a safe space for discussion, reflection, activities, and action steps to guide your career exploration. Meetings are held monthly. An application is required, and space is limited. Apply for Exploratory PhD by midnight, September 14, 2025. Contact Brandi Smith, blsmith2@iu.edu with questions.

Graduate Resume Writing Workshop: From Draft to Done

Need to finally sit down and finish your resume? This session is all about making your resume ready. We’ll start with a few quick tips, then give you time to work, get feedback, and make edits right on the spot. Bring a draft if you have one (or even just notes)—but no worries if you don’t, we’ll provide templates and real examples. You’ll leave with a stronger resume and a concrete next step for moving your job applications forward.

Both Master’s and PhD students are welcome!

Date: Friday, September 26th, 2025
Time: 0:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: East Tower, SC E159 (Hazelbaker Room) - Herman B Wells Library

Register with Handshake

BIG10 Career Fairs

Curious about what your future could look like? The three upcoming BIG10 Virtual Career Fairs are a step toward discovering and preparing for it. The fairs are designed for graduate students and postdocs at all levels in all fields. Join hundreds of Big Ten colleagues! These fairs help you explore options, connect with professionals, and prepare for applications—whether internship or job-searching now or planning ahead.

Register while spots remain:

BIG10 Academia Postdoc Hiring Fair
📅 Tuesday, October 21 | ⏰ 12:00 – 3:00 PM ET
Open to: PhD students and Postdocs only
Explore: Postdoctoral positions nationwide
BIG10 Academia Faculty Hiring Fair
📅 Wednesday, October 22 | ⏰ 12:00 – 4:00 PM ET
Open to: PhD students and Postdocs only
Explore: Faculty positions in all tracks
BIG10 Graduate Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event (GSPIRE)
📅 Thursday, October 23 | ⏰ 12:00 – 4:00 PM ET
Open to: MS, PhD, and Postdoc students from all disciplines
Explore: Internships and full-time careers in industry and government

Want to make early connections? Submit your materials by Monday, Sept 29 at 12 PM ET to appear in recruiter review packets:

Sharpen Your Grant-Writing Skills This September with GradGrants

Graduate students, get ready to tackle those Fall application deadlines! The GradGrants Center is offering a series of helpful bootcamps and workshops this September designed to give you the edge in securing funding. Don't miss these opportunities to refine your proposals and boost your application success.

September Events:

Intro to Proposal Writing Bootcamp: Learn how to effectively articulate the wider significance and societal benefits of your research.
NSF-GRFP and ACLS/Mellon Bootcamps: Designed to help students applying for these highly competitive awards, which provide significant, multi-year funding to PhD graduate students.
Funding Databases Workshop: Discover resources for identifying grant opportunities (public and private!) that align with your research.

These events are invaluable for any graduate student preparing to submit applications this fall. Visit the GradGrants Center website for specific dates, times, and registration information.

Accelerate Your Future with the IUB’s Accelerated Master’s Programs (AMP)

IU Bloomington undergraduates can fast-track their education with AMP, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. With a growing list of over 40 master’s programs participating across all schools, AMP saves time and tuition while helping students gain a competitive edge in the workforce.

This fall, watch for new AMP promotions and events, along with enhanced web resources to help IUB undergraduates explore their options. Whether students want to deepen their expertise or combine fields creatively, AMP offers a streamlined path to success. Learn more at: graduate.indiana.edu/amp

Friendly Reminder: Keep an Eye on Deadlines

As we begin a new semester, it’s easy to get swept up in classes, research, and other responsibilities. We encourage you to stay mindful of important deadlines, whether for course registration, funding applications, graduation requirements, or conference submissions. Setting reminders, checking your program’s calendar regularly, and planning ahead can help reduce stress and ensure you don’t miss valuable opportunities.

As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Fellowship Deadlines

Department nomination deadline: Sept 22, 2025

The Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award is open to all students who have completed a degree in the fields of Biological/Life Sciences or Humanities between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2025. One recipient will be selected from each category. Each winner will receive $1,500 and will be nominated for the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS)/ProQuest Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award. Visit the Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award website for nomination instructions.

Department nomination deadline: October 10, 2025

Grant-in-Aid (GiA) awards offer funding to Bloomington graduate students for unusual expenses related to conference travel or research activities associated with projects, theses, or dissertations. Students may receive up to $1,000 for Research Awards and up to $500 for Conference Travel Awards. Visit the Grant-in-Aid website for more information.

Degree Deadlines

Graduate School Degree Deadlines

Best wishes for a focused, rewarding, and inspiring term,

The Graduate School

Welcome Back! - September Newsletter

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