This year the Dissertation Research Fellowships expanded 12 awards from just one, including new fellowship supported by a bequest from UO alumnus Eric Englund.

The optional program helps graduate students hone teaching skills and build a community of support workshops, teaching consultations, classroom observations and more.

With more than $5,000 in prize money on the table, graduate students had a chance to not only display their work but move it forward too.

More than $5,000 in prizes will be awarded through poster and panel presentations and, for the first time, five-minute 'blitz talk' competitions.

In addition to funding at least 40 new doctoral students, the funding also will help the university boost diversity in the Graduate School.