Emerging Scholars Network

The Emerging Scholars Network is a cohort-based three-quarter program for mid-stage PhD students who have advanced to candidacy. It supports the shift from structured coursework to independent scholarship by pairing practical tools with a supportive community of peers moving through the same stage. Participants work alongside one another to sustain research progress, navigate advisor relationships, and build the skills needed for timely degree completion and career success. 

The program’s goals for participants are to increase research productivity; strengthen project management and planning skills; support proactive, effective advisor relationships; foster professionalism and scholarly identity; build confidence in receiving and using critical feedback; and sustain motivation through peer and alumni connection.

Participants engage in targeted workshops, guided advising, peer accountability, and structured opportunities to connect with campus resources and alumni. Built-in accountability measures help participants set goals, check in regularly, and enhance skills while the cohort community offers encouragement, shared problem-solving, and momentum during a demanding phase of graduate school. Together, these elements support steady progress toward the degree while encouraging thoughtful career exploration across academic and non-academic pathways.

The Emerging Scholars Network Program includes: 

• $2000 stipend each quarter (Autumn, Winter, and Spring)
• Workshops and facilitated sessions taught by faculty and administrators structured around six core components that promote persistence and timely degree completion:
  • Research productivity
  • Professionalism and scholarly identity
  • Advisor and mentor relationship-building
  • Career exploration across diverse sectors
  • Mental health and work–life integration
  • Community building and peer support
• Quarterly meetings with a peer accountability partner from the program
• Quarterly check-in meetings with program staff
• Small group work-in-progress sessions for discussion and feedback

Program Schedule

Participants engage in the full three-quarter series, beginning in the Autumn:

• Autumn Quarter
  • Three 90-minute workshops
  • One peer check-in
  • One support meeting with program staff
  • Work-in-progress sessions
• Winter Quarter
  • Two 90-minute workshops
  • One peer check-in
  • One support meeting with program staff
  • Work-in-progress sessions
• Spring Quarter
  • Two 90-minute workshops
  • One peer check-in
  • One support meeting with program staff
  • Work-in-progress sessions

Participants are also encouraged to take advantage of additional professional and career development resources and activities, including but not limited to:

• Alumni panels, VPGE’s QuickBytes programs
• NCFDD’s 14-day writing challenge
• CareerEd’s spring PhD Pathways conference
• Academic skills coaching with The Center for Teaching and Learning and other cross-campus opportunities

Virtual Information Sessions

Join VPGE for a virtual information session to learn about the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN)!

• Register here for the Friday, April 10, 12 - 1 PM session.
• Register here for the Thursday, April 23, 3 - 4 PM session.

How to Apply

Apply here at our application portal by April 29, 2026. The application process is brief and involves answering three questions about your interest in the program.

Advisor Endorsement: Your application must include an endorsement from your primary dissertation advisor. We do not require a separate letter of support. Instead, once you request the endorsement your advisor will click on a link to confirm that they endorse your application. You can request this endorsement before completing your application, so that your advisor has sufficient time to submit before the deadline. Do not request an endorsement until you are certain that you will submit an Emerging Scholars Network application. Alert your advisor that a request is coming and discuss your interest in the Emerging Scholars Network program.

Questions

 For any questions, contact vpgeapplications@stanford.edu.

Apply Now!