Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program

The CSU Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) is the largest opportunity of its kind in the U.S. The goal of this program is to increase the number of faculty with the qualifications and skills needed to teach the diverse students of the CSU. This program prepares doctoral students for CSU faculty positions by providing financial support, mentorship by CSU faculty, professional development, and grant resources. Interested students can apply directly to the Chancellor’s Office. The CSUN Campus Coordinator is also available to provide feedback on applications for applicants applying with a CSUN Faculty Mentor. 

2027-2028 application Due Date to the CO's Office: TBD

What CDIP Provides:

  • You will be mentored by a CSU faculty mentor in preparation for the CSU job market.  You and your mentor will tailor your Collaborative Plan to include activities that prepare you in terms of teaching, research, and service for the CSU.
  • Professional development workshops and networking opportunities are organized by the Chancellor's Office.
  • Small grants are available to support travel to conferences, research, and dissertation writing.
  • Doctoral Education Support Grant (up to $2500 each year).
  • Conference Travel Award (up to $1500 twice a year).
  • Dissertation Award (up to $5000 one time). 
    Note: Awards are granted competitively, subject to budget availability.
  • Loans of up to $30,000 are available and are forgiven after full-time employment or ten years of part-time employment in the CSU.

Learn more by visiting the CO’s website.

Eligibility 

  • New or continuing full-time doctoral students currently enrolled in an accredited program in the U.S.
  • Undergraduate and master's-level graduate students in the process of applying to accredited doctoral programs in the U.S. (To receive a fellowship, applicants must secure admission to a doctoral program by May 31st).
  • Students enrolled full-time in doctoral programs who hold full-time or part-time lecturer appointments in the CSU are eligible to apply.
  • Applicants must identify a tenured/tenure-track CSU faculty member to serve as mentor.
  • If you are enrolled in a professional doctoral program (e.g., PsyD, EdD) or an online doctoral program, we encourage you to contact our office or attend one of the Chancellor’s Office workshops (see the accordion below for registration details). Please note that eligibility may depend on whether your professional degree prepares you for a tenure-track faculty career and equips you to teach in a comprehensive university system such as the CSU. 

Not Eligible

  • Probationary and tenured faculty members in the CSU are not eligible, regardless of their status in a doctoral program.
     

How to Apply
Before starting your application, please visit the Chancellor’s Office website to review the Application Components, Selection Criteria, and Submission Information. Doing so will help ensure you understand all requirements and submit a complete application.

  • Chancellor’s Office website: Application Components, Selection Criteria, and Submission Information.
  • Application Guide
  • 2027 Application  
  • Due Date to the CO's Office: TBD
  • The announcement of the selected CDIP Scholars will be made in June 2027.

Want to learn more about this program and speak with someone from the Chancellor's Office? Select Info session to register for an upcoming workshop.

NOTE: If you register for an info session we will send you the recording of the meeting. Meetings are Pacific Time.

Interested in receiving feedback on your Statement of Qualifications and Collaborative Plan before submitting them to the Chancellor’s Office? Students may submit both documents for feedback to gradcenter@csun.edu after they have been approved by their Faculty Mentor.

Corie Mesa Romero 
Doctoral Program: Writing and Rhetoric Studies      
Campus: Northeastern University     
CSU Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jennifer Lee           
 

Kyle Moreno 
Doctoral Program: Education
Campus: University of Southern California   
CSU Faculty Sponsor: Gabriela Chavira         
 

Rosalia Rojas 
Doctoral Program: Child Study and Human Development   
Campus: Tufts University       
CSU Faculty Sponsor: Rika Meyer      
 

Maseri Schultz          
Doctoral Program: English      
Campus: University of Oregon          
CSU Faculty Sponsor: Jennifer Lee    
 

Vidya Venkatesan     
Doctoral Program: Physics and Astronomy   
Campus: University of California, Irvine        
CSU Faculty Sponsor: Cristina Cadavid         

Select FAQ to access additional information.

For more information, please contact our office at GradServices@csun.edu .