Graduate Research Awards

The family of John S. Tuckey, to honor his memory, has generously established the John S. Tuckey Graduate Research Award. The award memorializes a Purdue University Northwest (then Calumet) faculty member, whose teaching of American literature and editing/publishing of Mark Twain texts were internationally acclaimed. Dr. Tuckey’s long and outstanding service to the institution included headship of the Department of English/Philosophy and Assistant Dean of the Graduate School. His accomplishments were recognized when Purdue University conferred upon him the Hovde Distinguished Service Professorship.

The amount of the John S. Tuckey Graduate Research Award will be $1,500. An applicant must either be a regularly admitted, degree-seeking graduate student in the humanities at Purdue Northwest, or a college senior who, during the year of the award, will be a fully admitted, degree-seeking graduate student in the humanities at Purdue University Northwest. The recipient must be enrolled in no fewer than three graduate-level credits per semester during the award period. Students must be enrolled in both semesters.

Recipients may apply the award to research expenses during the year following the announcement (Academic year 2026-27). Expenses may include (but not limited to) travel, food and lodging, photocopying, or research materials. The University expects recipients to acknowledge the support of Purdue University Northwest and the John S. Tuckey Graduate Research Award in any publication that emanates from the award.

The Graduate Studies Office also announces the availability of up to five (5) research grants in the sum of $750 each for the 2026-27 academic year, in any academic discipline.

• Letter of application, including name of faculty sponsor
• Project proposal for research, including:
  • Title
  • Brief description of research project
  • Project design or approach
  • Brief bibliography or literature review
  • Description of any previous research on this topic by applicant
• Short biographical sketch of applicant
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty (one of these may be the faculty sponsor)
• Name and content information for the faculty member who will direct student’s research (Faculty Sponsor)
• The Tuckey Award and Graduate Research Awards do not require submission of a budget

Each application for an award must include all items listed above under Requirements for each award application. While we prefer that your letters of recommendation be submitted in InfoReady, original letters of faculty recommendation may be submitted by hard copy and scans of each letter may be sent to Dr. Durocher at the email address above. If emailing a letter of recommendation, please show Grad Research 2026 in the subject line.

There is no page limit on the application submitted, but students are encouraged to be concise in their applications. Each application should include adequate detail to allow the relevant review committee to understand the research project and its significance in the discipline. If the application is based upon a thesis, do not submit the thesis in its entirety. The award proposal should be a more focused and concise summary of your research project, and the items outlined above.

The application deadline is May 8, 2026. 

Proposals are evaluated by the relevant review committee on:

• Completeness of application (all required items submitted)
• Project eligibility
• Student eligibility

• Overall quality of proposal
• Goals and significance
• Project design/approach
• Bibliography/literature review
• Any previous research