Departments and programs are invited to submit names and dossiers of their nominees to the Office of Graduate and Professional Education where a faculty review committee determines the selection of Graduate Fellows. Nominees for these awards must be currently enrolled in at least their second year of doctoral study at the University at the time of the nomination. Awards are competitive and are based on academic achievement since being admitted to the doctoral program as well as evidence of professional commitment and potential contribution in their field of study. Awards are granted for one year. Students may not be nominated for the award in subsequent years. The program may nominate no more than two individuals and the program must rank the nominations as to 1st choice and 2nd choice.