Allen G. Marr Prize

About the Award

The Allen G. Marr Prize was established in honor of Allen G. (Jerry) Marr's 20-year contribution as Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and his commitment to the highest standards of scholarship and professional ethics. An annual prize is awarded by Graduate Studies to a present or past UC Davis doctoral student in honor of superior dissertation work. Each year the competition is in different discipline areas. The prize is patterned after the Council of Graduate Schools/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award.

Submit An Application (OPENED for 2024)

The fields of competition for the 2024 award are Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Engineering and Social Sciences. The application deadline for the 2023-2024 Academic Year is March 8, 2024.

  • SELECTION CRITERIA
  • The fields of competition for the 2324 award are Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Engineering and Social Sciences. The applicant's dissertation should represent original work making an unusually significant contribution to the disciplines. Both methodological and substantive quality will be judged.
  • 2024  FIELDS OF COMPETITION

  • There are  two broad  fields  of competition for  the  2024  dissertation awards.  Under  each broad  field, we  provide  a  non-inclusive  list  of fine  fields that  are  considered to belong to the  broader fields under consideration. 

    Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering: Mathematics, statistics, computer sciences, data processing, systems analysis, chemistry, earth sciences, physics, geology, meteorology, astronomy, metallurgy, geophysics, pharmaceutical chemistry; aeronautical, architectural, biomedical, ceramic, chemical, civil, and electrical engineering sciences; environmental health engineering; geological, mechanical, mining, nuclear, and petroleum engineering.                      

    Social Sciences: Agricultural economics, geography, anthropology, archaeology, economics, education, sociology, government (political science), demography, and psychology. Please note that for purposes of this competition, history is classed within the humanities and is not a field of competition this year.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  If a dissertation is multi-disciplinary or interdisciplinary in nature, a significant portion of the work must be comprised by at least one of the 2024 fields of competition.                               

  • ELIGIBILITY
  • The applicant's effective date of degree award, or the completion of doctoral degree requirements and dissertation, must fall in the period of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024. Such degree award or completion will be confirmed by the UC Davis Dean of Graduate Studies or another administrative officer responsible for doctoral degree programs.  DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:  March 8, 2024 by 11:59 p.m..
  • REQUIRED MATERIALS
  • • Each applicant must prepare a dissertation abstract (not to exceed 5 double-spaced pages).
    • Appendices containing non-textual material, such as charts or tables, may be included (not to exceed 5 pages).
    • Three letters of recommendation evaluating the significance and quality of the nominee’s dissertation work. One of these letters is to be from the applicant's dissertation supervisor, another from a member of the applicant's dissertation committee, and the third from a person of the applicant's choice.
    • The applicant’s curriculum vitae (not to exceed five pages).
  • AWARD AND SUBMISSION DETAILS
  •  The Allen G. Marr Award consists of:
    • $2,500 prize
    • Will be the campus’ nominee for the CGS/ProQuest award
    • Announcement of the awardee 

    The completed application must be submitted via InfoReady no later than 11:59 pm on March 8, 2024. if you have any questions or concerns, contact Internal Fellowship Analysts Heidi West and Lauren McDiarmid at internalfellowships@ucdavis.edu.