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 (Open for 2026)

The fields of competition for the 2026 award are Mathematics, Physical Sciences & Engineering; and Social Sciences. The application deadline for the 2026 award cycle is Friday, May 8, 2026.

  • SELECTION CRITERIA

  • The applicant's dissertation should represent original work making an unusually significant contribution to the disciplines. Both methodological and substantive quality will be judged.

    Fields of Competition
    Rotating on two-year cycles, contributions to the physical sciences and the social sciences are awarded one year; contributions to the biological and life sciences, and the humanities and fine arts are awarded the following year.

    The fields of competition for 2026 are:

    • Mathematics, Physical Sciences & Engineering
    • Social Sciences

    If a dissertation is multi- or interdisciplinary in nature, a significant portion of the work must be comprised of at least one of the 2026 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, 2024 to June 30, 2026. 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:  Friday, May 8, 2025 by 11:59 p.m..
  • REQUIRED MATERIALS
  • • Dissertation Abstract: An abstract of your dissertation (not to exceed five double-spaced pages).
    Note: Appendices containing charts, tables, and/or references may be included as additional pages, not to exceed five pages.

    • Letters of Recommendation: Three letters evaluating the significance and quality of the dissertation work.
    1. One letter from your dissertation supervisor.
    2. One letter from a member of your dissertation committee.
    3. One letter from a person of the your choice.

    • Your curriculum vitae (not to exceed five pages).
  • AWARD AND SUBMISSION DETAILS
  • The Allen G. Marr Award consists of:
    • Award Stipend
    • Will be the campus’ nominee for the CGS/ProQuest award

    The completed application must be submitted via InfoReady no later than 11:59 pm on May 8, 2026 if you have any questions or concerns, contact Internal Fellowship Analyst Lauren McDiarmid at [email protected].