March 2026 Graduate School Bulletin
Graduate students, mark your calendars for important graduation deadlines, funding opportunities, and professional development workshops
Featured Event
Join the Dean for a conversation with the Provost
Feb. 18, 3 – 3:55 p.m. Zoom
This virtual event is your chance to meet our new provost, ask questions about your graduate education, and engage in a dialogue regarding the activities of the Graduate School and Academic Affairs at CU Boulder.
Graduation Deadlines
March 1
Graduate students who have not already done so must apply online to graduate through buff portal on the “apply for graduation” card in order to have the degree awarded in May. This is required whether or not you plan to attend the university-wide ceremony. PhD students must enter their dissertation title as part of the online graduation application; you may update the title through the portal until this date. This title will appear on your transcript after your degree is awarded.
March 2 (final deadline)
Master's students who have not already done so must submit to the Graduate School a Candidacy Application for an Advanced Degree. Applications follow a workflow process and must be approved by the academic department before they are directed to the Graduate School.
Discover more deadlines on the spring 2026 graduation deadlines page.
Funding Opportunities
- Feb. 20: Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop
- Feb. 27: Brenda M. Romero CU Dissertation Award in Music and/or Social Studies & Justice
- Feb. 28: Sarah Crump Graduate Fellowship
- Feb. 28: The Martha and John Andrews INSTAAR Graduate Scholarship
- March 1: Dissertation Fellowship for Historically Underrepresented Persons in Anthropology
- March 1: Center for the Humanities & the Arts (CHA) MFA/MM Excellence in Creative Research Award
- March 1: Kress Foundation History of Art Grants
- March 1: Kress Foundation Conservation Grants
- March 2: American Philosophical Society (APS)'s Phillips Fund for Native American Research
- March 2: APS Short-Term Resident Research Fellowships
- March 3: Futures Fellowship for Graduate Student Parents
- March 5: INSTAAR Summer Scholarships for Grad Students
- March 15: CHA Summer Fellowships
- March 13: Spruce Gulch Wildlife and Research Reserve award proposals, equivalent to a 50% GRA for three summer months
- To apply: Send a two-page proposal describing the justification, merits, procedures and goals of the proposed summer project, a letter of recommendation from a faculty member or supervisor, and CV to timothy.seastedt@colorado.edu
- March 15: Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research
- March 31: ETS Scholarships (various)
Workshops & Events
GradCO: Literature Reviews in the Age of AI
March 4, 12–1:30 p.m. Zoom
This workshop explores how graduate students can approach literature reviews in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), with an emphasis on sound research practices and responsible tool use. Participants will review the core purposes and components of an effective literature review, then learn about a range of tools that can support the process—from database features and citation management software to emerging AI-assisted tools. The session will highlight practical strategies, limitations, and ethical considerations, helping students make informed decisions about when and how to use these tools to strengthen their scholarship.
East Campus Coffee for Grad Students
March 11, 8:30–10 a.m. SEEC, C120 CD Auditorium (South Atrium)
Join fellow graduate students for free coffee and pastries on East Campus while supplies last. Please RSVP if you plan to stop by.
Imposter Syndrome in Academia
March 12, 12–1:30 p.m. Zoom
Have you ever felt like an imposter? Join Leslie-Ellen Blood to discuss imposter syndrome in academia. You'll learn strategies to recognize and manage feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy that often accompany academic challenges. You'll also gain tools to build confidence and resilience, fostering a more positive and productive graduate school experience.
Grad+ Writing Boost: One-Day Session
March 19, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. UMC, Room 247
Staying in town over spring break? Join the Graduate School for Grad+ Writing Boost, a focused one-day writing session designed to help you re-energize your work, jumpstart your momentum, and leave with real progress. Whether you’re working on a dissertation chapter, article draft, proposal or coursework, the day includes guided goal setting, quiet writing time, and a supportive writing community.
CIMER Inclusive Research Mentoring: Addressing Equity and Inclusion AND Fostering Mental Health and Wellbeing
March 26, 12:30–3 p.m. CASE, CTL Suite, Room E390
Diverse perspectives enrich mentoring relationships but also bring unique challenges. This session explores how to recognize, reflect on and engage with difference to create professional, inclusive and effective mentoring environments for both mentors and mentees. We will also address the growing mental health pressures students face and clarify mentors’ roles and boundaries.
GradCO: The Playful Scholar: How Games and Play Can Innovate Teaching and Research
March 26, 12–1 p.m. Zoom
This webinar explores how play can meaningfully enrich both research methodologies and teaching practices in higher education and beyond. Drawing on insights from an open-access book and classroom-tested pedagogical strategies, the session positions play not as a diversion, but as a rigorous mode of inquiry that supports curiosity, experimentation and sense-making. Through concrete examples, the webinar highlights how playful inquiry can deepen engagement, support reflective practice, and broaden access to knowledge for diverse learners and scholarly communities.
GradCO: Career Exploration for Early Career Scientists
March 30, 2–4 p.m. Zoom
In this session, you’ll reflect on your professional strengths, identify tasks you enjoy, and clarify your values and goals. Learn about a variety of career paths available to scientists, both within and beyond traditional research roles. Using your personal reflections, you’ll pinpoint careers that align with your interests and discover actionable steps to explore these fields further. Join us to gain insights and strategies that will help you navigate the diverse opportunities in the scientific landscape.
GradCO: Know Your Financial Aid Options
March 31, 12–1 p.m. Zoom
Learn about what financial aid options are available for graduate schools with a focus on unsubsidized, Grad PLUS, and alternative loans. Learn what to consider when weighing your options and how financial aid may be affected by scholarships, assistantships or other stipends.
Other Events
- Feb. 17, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., SEEC: Environmental Engineering Career Networking Event
- Feb. 25, 12–4 p.m., Virtual: Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Virtual Career and Internship Fair
- March 5, 1–2 p.m., Virtual: U.S. Student Fulbright grant information session
- March 10, 3–7 p.m., Virtual: All Industries Virtual Career and Internship Fair
- March 10, 10–11 a.m., via Zoom: Dissertations and Theses: Common Copyright, Fair Use and Publication Questions
- March 25, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Community Engagement, Design and Research Center (CEDaR): Environmental Design Career and Internship Fair