Ruth B. Mandel Dissertation Research Awards are given to graduate students working on dissertations in the field of women and American politics that will help to yield progress for women in U.S. politics. We welcome applications for research that analyzes gender in addition to or in conjunction with other categories such as race/ethnicity, class, immigration status, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
- Any advanced doctoral student from any relevant discipline at a U.S. institution who has completed course work and has an approved dissertation proposal related to women, gender, and U.S. politics is eligible for the award.
- No scholar can win the Ruth B. Mandel Award more than once.
- Projects already funded through the CAWP Research Grants program are not eligible to receive a Ruth B. Mandel Award.
- One of four possible awards in each annual cycle will be reserved for a Rutgers student of any discipline. If no Rutgers student meets the award criteria and expectations, the award can go to a non-Rutgers scholar.
Application Requirements
- Project Abstract:
Applicants should submit an abstract of no more than 300 words to provide an overview of their proposed project.
- Project Proposal
- Project Overview: In no more than two single-spaced pages, applicants should outline their dissertation project’s research question(s), methodology, and research design.
- Research Timeline: Applicants should provide a timeline for dissertation research that includes progress to date as well as anticipated timeline for completion. The timeline should align with the project budget.
- Project Budget: Applicants should describe how they plan to use award funds, including how these plans fit into the overall research budget. Please list any funds (grants or awards) already received to contribute to this project.
- Applicant Profile
Applicants should provide a copy of their CV as well as a brief summary (maximum 500 words) of the research experience, progress, and commitments that demonstrate their merit for a Ruth B. Mandel award.
- Referral
Applicants will submit the name and contact information for their department’s director of graduate studies and/or chair of their dissertation committee. This individual will be contacted to confirm applicants’ eligibility for the Ruth B. Mandel award.
CAWP will award up to four Ruth B. Mandel Dissertation Research Awards annually, with the expectation that at least one award will be designated for a Rutgers University student.
Each award will be $2000 in value to support dissertation research on women, gender, and U.S. politics.
The 2026 application period is not yet open. We typically complete the review process and notifying grantees in June and work to issue awards by August of the application year.
Upon completion of their dissertation, Ruth B. Mandel Award recipients will be expected to share their dissertation with CAWP for internal review (not for public distribution). Once/if the dissertation is available to the public, the award recipient will notify CAWP so that we can include a link on our awards page.
Awards should be used to facilitate dissertation research. Relevant costs include, but are not limited to: technology, research assistance, data purchases, surveys, transcription, non-conference travel, as well as to offset the costs of reduced teaching, child care, or related expenses incurred in order to provide applicants the time to complete research.
Award checks will be issued to awardees directly, not to their home institutions. Awardees will provide relevant information for payment to CAWP staff upon notification of their award.