Dear graduate students,

The University of South Carolina Graduate School welcomes you to the 2025-26 academic year! Our staff and partners across campus are here to support you at every stage of your graduate school journey. Take advantage of the many events, programs, and resources available to help you thrive at USC. 

Here are a few upcoming events and opportunities from the Graduate School for the fall: 

• The Grad Expo will take place on Friday, September 5 from 9-12 in the Russell House ballroom. Enjoy food, win prizes, and connect with campus resources supporting graduate students.
• Share your research and have a chance to win $1000 in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on November 7. 
• Apply for a Travel Grant to help with expenses for presenting your research at a national or international conference. 

There are a wide variety of professional development opportunities, specifically for graduate students, offered throughout the year. Attend workshops, earn certificates, and get personalized support from the Graduate School as well as our partners in the Career Center, Center for Teaching Excellence, Student Success Center, and University Libraries. 

Additionally, don’t forget to take advantage of new resources for graduate students from our campus partners: 

• Graduate students are now eligible for grants from The Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning (CIEL). Apply for a Carolina Engage Grant to get up to $500 to support beyond the classroom experiences.
• Enroll in training programs through the Carolina Grants and Innovation Hub. Graduate students are eligible to participate in the postdoc track of the PI Academy.
• Sign up for Garnet Bites, a new system to alert you to free food available on campus. You can also access free food and other basic needs items at the Gamecock CommUnity Shop. 

This is just a snapshot of what is going on in 2025-2026. Check out our calendar for more events throughout the year. We are excited to support your graduate student experience at USC!