Graduate School

Timothy R. Donoghue Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship program was initiated by Timothy Donoghue, former Graduate School dean, as a way to recruit top candidates throughout the United States to K-State graduate programs by offering graduate assistantship packages that are highly competitive.

Donoghue Scholarships enhance the maximum package a graduate program can offer to top candidates, making the total package a partnership between the graduate program and the Graduate School. Master's students are awarded a $3,000 scholarship and doctoral students are awarded a $5,000 scholarship for one academic year. The scholarship may be renewed for a second year.

Call for nominations for Fall 2025 funding

The Graduate School is now accepting nominations to support up to 10 Masters and 20 Doctoral Donoghue Scholarships for incoming graduate students beginning a masters or doctoral program in Fall 2025. The nomination deadline is January 31, 2025.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Nominees must be applying to a master’s or doctoral degree program at K-State with enrollment beginning Fall 2025; current graduate students are not eligible
  • Nominees must be appointed to a .5 FTE assistantship each semester the scholarship is effective

Nomination Procedures

Nominations must be submitted by graduate programs to the Graduate School. Students may not self-nominate.

Nomination Deadline: January 31, 2025

Nomination Form

The following must be included in the nomination form:

    • A detailed rationale for the nomination in 300 words or less.
    • The amount of the assistantship stipend provided and whether or not tuition is provided. The amount of the stipend cannot be decreased if the student is selected for a Donoghue scholarship.
    • Information about the admission status of the nominee(s)

Each graduate program may submit up to four nominations for Fall 2025.

Funding Guidelines

  • Number of funded students: up to 10 master's students and 20 doctoral students
  • Master’s students are eligible to receive a $3,000 scholarship
  • Doctoral students are eligible to receive a $5,000 scholarship
  • The scholarship is renewable for a second year upon re-nomination by the graduate program and student fulfillment of the expectations noted below

Timeline and Procedures

  • Nomination deadline: January 31, 2025
  • February 17, 2025- Selected students will be notified via email and the nominating graduate program will be copied on the notification.
  • April 1, 2025- Deadline for selected students to notify the Graduate School and nominating graduate program whether they wish to accept or decline the scholarship. Failure of the recipient to notify the Graduate School of a decision by this date will result in the scholarship being awarded to another applicant.
  • All scholarships will begin in the Fall 2025 semester.
  • The scholarship cannot be deferred to another semester.
  • The scholarship will be disbursed to the student’s KSIS financial account. Half of the scholarship will be disbursed at the beginning of the Fall semester, and the second half will be disbursed at the beginning of the Spring semester.

Scholarship Renewal process

Scholarships are renewable for one additional year upon re-nomination by the graduate program and student fulfillment of the expectations outlined below:

  • Maintain at least a 3.4 GPA
  • Be appointed on a .5 FTE assistantship each semester the scholarship is effective
  • Participate in Graduate School-sponsored orientation session(s) and other activities planned for students receiving scholarships
  • Serve in leadership roles within the graduate program, academic department, and/or Graduate Student Council activities and committees
  • Participate in professional development workshops/seminars sponsored by the Graduate School, Graduate Student Council, and other campus units

Contact

Please direct questions about the Timothy Donoghue scholarship to Miranda Schremmer at grad@ksu.edu or to the Graduate School at or 785-532-6191.