I Hit Submit! Stony Brook Celebrates Fellowship Applicants

The third annual I Hit Submit! celebration brought together students, faculty and staff for an event focused on something that often goes unrecognized in the race toward competitive national fellowships: the act of applying.

Over 120 Stony Brook students submitted fellowship applications for the 2026 to 2027 cycle; over 30 applicants, faculty and staff joined the university's External Fellowships and Scholarshipsteam for the event hosted by The Graduate Schoolthat honored the commitment, ambition and personal reflection behind each application.

Ashley Staples, director of external fellowships and scholarly development, welcomed guests by reminding students that the act of completing an application is an achievement that many never reach. She encouraged them to recognize the effort it takes to turn ideas into proposals and personal statements.

"You got to the point where you had your thoughts together enough to show them to the world, and that is pretty awesome," she said. "Thousands of students did not submit this year. You did. That is why we celebrate."

Vernon Caldwell, assistant director of external fellowships and scholarly development, expanded on that theme in his welcome. He noted that this year's 123 applicants represent the university's largest and most diverse cohort of fellowship candidates. Students applied to a wide range of competitive national opportunities that include the Apple AI Scholars Program, the Critical Language Scholarship, the Goldwater Scholarship, Fulbright, the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, the Marshall Scholarship and many others.

"Submitting a nationally competitive fellowship application is an act of bravery," Caldwell said. "You have already won."

Caldwell described the qualities he sees within applicants. "This is a portrait of who Stony Brook students are. Curious, open-minded, research-driven, creative, resilient and unafraid to aim high." He thanked mentors, faculty, writing center tutors and family members who supported students throughout rounds of drafting and revision.

The student speaker, linguistics PhD candidate Grace Wivell, shared her journey after being awarded a fellowship. Wivell is a past Fulbright English Teaching Assistant awardee who later earned a Fulbright Student Research Award that allowed her to complete her dissertation research in Indonesia.

Wivell told students that her first attempt at an award felt overwhelming and out of reach. One of her professors encouraged her to apply anyway. "I looked at the bios of past recipients and thought there was no way I could qualify," she said. The application process changed her view. Drafting and revising required her to reflect on her goals, values and possible future paths. "That act of reflection is powerful," she said. "It shows you who you are and what you bring to the table."

Her Fulbright experience brought her to Indonesia for three years, which reshaped her academic path in ways she had never imagined. "It changed everything," Wivell said. "What seemed impossible became the turning point in my career. That is what I hope for you. Whether the award takes you exactly where you planned or in a different direction, it can open something extraordinary."

She reminded students that rejections are part of the process and urged them to keep applying, even if the initial application is met with rejection. "Keep looking for those open doors. Do not let this be the last time you hit submit."

David Rubenstein, associate dean of The Graduate School and associate professor of biomedical engineering and a former Goldwater scholar, reflected on the courage it takes to send an application into a national review pool. "Today is not about winning the award," he said. "It is about the courage and strength it takes to hit submit."

Rubenstein noted that the process itself encourages habits that create strong researchers. Drafting statements, refining ideas and seeking feedback require a willingness to grow.

Rubenstein reminded students that competitive fellowships require vulnerability and ambition. "By putting yourself forward, you have shown that you belong at the top of the pile reviewers will look at," he said. "You represent Stony Brook. We could not be more proud."

Spiros Manolas, a junior in the Simons STEM Scholars Programmajoring in applied math and statistics and mathematics who applied for the Goldwater Scholarship, described the months of work behind his application. "The essays were a lot of work," he said. "But writing them made me reflect on everything I have done in the past couple years. It was a rewarding process."

He appreciated the support he received from friends, his sister and mentors in the Simons STEM Scholar program. Manolas submitted his campus application earlier in the week and said he felt relieved that this part of the process is complete, and he was excited to celebrate with other applicants.

Evelyn Li, a first-year neuroscience PhD student, applied for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. She learned early in the semester that the rules had changed and that this year was her only chance to apply. "I had never written a grant before, so it felt new and stressful," she said. She relied on the fellowships office for guidance as she balanced the application process with her first semester of graduate work. "Pressing submit was super relieving," she said.

Staples encouraged students to thank the people who supported them, whether they were faculty mentors or friends who encouraged them through revisions, and reminded them that the work of applying often reshapes future goals and dreams, regardless of the outcome.

- Beth Squire