Evelyn L. Pruitt Fellowship for Dissertation Research Grant

The Evelyn L. Pruitt Fellowship for Dissertation Research, sponsored by the Society of Women Geographers, supports woman Ph.D. students in geography or related fields. Candidates must demonstrate outstanding scholarship, with emphasis on the significance and future impact of their research. Eligible expenses include travel and research-related costs, while preference is given to those who have completed comprehensive exams and have an approved dissertation proposal for 2025-2026. Awards are contingent upon enrollment verification.

The Society of Woman Geographers (SWG) Evelyn L. Pruitt National Fellowship for Dissertation Research is made possible by a generous bequest from Ms. Evelyn L. Pruitt. Ms. Pruitt was a research geographer with the United States Navy. Her work greatly advanced the study of coastal environments, the use of remote sensing in geography, and field research in international settings from the 1940s into the 1970s.
Proposals must demonstrate high standards of scholarship. A review committee will select candidates to receive the Pruitt Dissertation Research Fellowship based on the overall quality of applications. Evidence of the potential significance of the research, promise of future impact on the candidate’s area of geographical specialization, and of professional involvement will be considered. Need is also considered in the final round of the selection process.
Awards will be transferred to the fellow’s university for disbursement to the fellow following receipt of an approved dissertation proposal and documentation of enrollment in 2026-2027.

Eligibility

The SWG invites applications for this fellowship from woman students in Ph.D. programs in geography or in geographical aspects of allied fields. The competition is open to Ph.D. candidates in all geographical specialties enrolled in doctoral programs in the United States. Eligible expenses include those for travel and other research-related expenses including data gathering, data analysis, and writing.Living expenses (room and board, food and rent) for the period of the research whether field, university, or home-based are acceptable.

Ineligibility

Ineligible expenses include tuition and fees and university overhead (indirect expenses).