Standard Financial Support
Students in the physics and astrophysics Ph.D. programs receive:
- A five-year package of financial support from the College of Arts & Science and/or external grants, including an annual stipend ($34,000-$38,000)
- A full tuition waiver
- College-paid premiums for individual student health insurance (an annual value of $4,158)
Continued funding each year is contingent on a student performing satisfactorily in teaching and research.
Students in physics and astrophysics are expected to serve one to two years as teaching assistants. Typical teaching duties for a semester include teaching two introductory lab sections and/or grading for a course. During the summer months, students are expected to join a research group and perform research activities, as determined by the faculty leading the research group. After the first one to two years, students join a research group full time as research assistants.
University and Graduate School Awards
The university offers a range of generous awards available to graduate students:
Federal Agency Awards
Many of our students have received their own extramural fellowships from federal funding agencies. We encourage all program applicants and first-year graduate students to apply for these competitive awards.
College of Arts and Science Awards
- Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award – for exceptionally effective classroom and/or laboratory instruction by a graduate teaching assistant; nominated by departments and selected by A&S Committee on Graduate Education; cash prize and an engraved plaque.
- Outstanding Graduate Student Lab Instructor Award – for excellence in laboratory instruction for science classes; nominated by departments and selected by A&S Committee on Graduate Education; cash prize and an engraved plaque.
- Vanderbilt Awards for Doctoral Discovery (VADD) – funds for research expenses related to the doctoral thesis, other advanced research projects, or scholarly activities that significantly advance professional development; granted on a competitive basis
Department Awards
McMinn Fellowships
Endowed by William A. and Nancy F. McMinn to support outstanding graduate students in the Department of Physics & Astronomy. The fellowship provides up to $5,000 per year in additional stipend, renewable for up to five years. All students who apply for admission are automatically considered.
Robert T. Lagemann Award
Established in 1988 in honor of Robert T. Lagemann, Landon C. Garland Professor of Physics, emeritus, who taught at Vanderbilt from 1951 to 1977. The Lagemann award is given annually to an entering or first-year graduate student for exceptional promise in physics.
Most Outstanding Student Publication
Established in 2011 by the Graduate Program Committee; given annually to recognize the most outstanding student publication for a paper published during the previous calendar year.
Akunuri V. Ramayya Award
Established in 2007 by Akunuri V. Ramayya, professor of physics, emeritus. Given to the most outstanding physics or astronomy graduate student teaching assistant.
Royal Albridge Award
Established in 2007 in honor of Royal Albridge, professor of physics, emeritus, who taught at Vanderbilt from 1961 to 2007. Given to the most outstanding first-time physics or astronomy graduate student teaching assistant.