Stanford
Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education

Empowering Your Journey

Empowering Your Journey is a suite of programs designed to enhance scholarly excellence and academic well being at pivotal stages of the doctoral student experience at Stanford.

Thrive

The Thrive Program provides a supportive, cohort-based community for first-year PhD students, emphasizing growth as a researcher, peer mentorship, personal well-being, and career exploration. Thrive Fellows participate in workshops, a faculty seminar, and cohort-based programs that facilitate a smooth transition to their Stanford PhD journey.

Emerging Scholars Network

The Emerging Scholars Network is a cohort-based three-quarter program for mid-stage PhD students who have advanced to candidacy. Designed to support the transition from structured coursework to independent scholarship, the program helps students sustain research progress, navigate advisor relationships, and build the skills needed for timely degree completion and career success. Participants engage in targeted workshops, guided advising, peer accountability, and structured opportunities to connect with alumni and campus resources.

Dissertation Completion Fellowship

The Dissertation Completion Fellowship provides three quarters of stipend and TGR tuition to outstanding doctoral candidates who commit to graduate by the end of the fellowship period. Fellows will participate in a structured, cohort-based program, which will support progress towards their graduation and career goals. Students must be in the final year of their degree program.