In recognition of the disruption that the Coronavirus pandemic caused to many doctoral students’ research, Brown University announced in April of 2020 that PhD students would be eligible to apply for extended stipend support to compensate for time lost due to the pandemic. In February 2022, the Graduate School announced that doctoral students who were in year 2 during spring 2020 and were delayed in completing their degrees as a result of the pandemic would be eligible to apply for extended funding. More recently, the University has agreed to allow doctoral students who began their studies at Brown in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 academic year to apply for up to one academic year (up to two semesters and one summer) of extended funding.

• Eligibility
  Students who were in their first through fifth year of study in spring semester 2020 or began their studies at Brown in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 academic year may be eligible to apply for an extension of up to two semesters and a summer, all of which must be used consecutively. Each semester of an appointment extension will include an appointment as a Teaching Assistant, Teaching Fellow, Proctor or Research Assistant.
• Application Review Process
  Eligible students will apply for Appointment Extensions through UFunds. Students intending to apply should email graduate_dean@brown.edu to be added to the appropriate application in UFunds. Applications will be reviewed by the Pandemic-related Appointment Extension Review Committee.
• Timing of Appointment Extensions
  Students requesting Appointment Extensions will apply during the penultimate term of their standard funding: Students in the humanities and social sciences should (if needed) apply for the appointment extension to support year 7. Students in the life sciences and physical sciences who need appointment extensions should apply during the year in which they would normally have finished (in the absence of COVID-19).
• Students needing Appointment Extensions starting Summer or Fall 2026, as well as Spring 2027
  Students whose funding would otherwise conclude at the end of Spring, Summer or Fall 2026 and need Appointment Extensions must apply by March 9, 2026.

Brown University is committed to supporting our students through a challenging period. These opportunities for extended funding are intended to enable students to successfully complete their degree despite these challenges. If you have questions, please email Graduate_Dean@brown.edu.