Davis-Fitzwater Doctoral Fellowship in Hydrology

Professor Emeritus Stanley Nelson Davis
History

The Davis-Fitzwater PhD Fellowship in Hydrology is a prestigious award established to recruit and support exceptional students entering the PhD program in Hydrology at the University of Arizona—one of the world’s top-ranked programs in the field.

This competitive fellowship provides a $15,000 award during the first year of doctoral study, offered in addition to the department’s standard graduate funding package, which typically includes a research and/or teaching assistantship position, full tuition coverage, and individual student health insurance.

The fellowship was made possible through a generous gift from Phil Fitzwater, an alumnus of the University of Arizona, in honor of his PhD mentor, Dr. Stanley Davis, a former professor and department head of Hydrology and Water Resources. Their legacy is honored through this award, which reflects a shared commitment to advancing hydrologic science and graduate education within the College of Science at the University of Arizona.

Davis Biography

Dr. Stanley N. Davis was a professor and former department head of Hydrology and Water Resources. Davis earned a bachelor's degree in geology with a minor in mathematics from the University of Nevada in 1949, a Master of Science degree in geology from the University of Kansas in 1951, and his doctorate in geology from Yale University in 1955. 

Davis joined the University of Arizona faculty in 1975. During his career, Davis was a consultant for the United States Bureau of Reclamation, the Kansas and Missouri geological surveys, the Arctic Institute of North America, Princeton University, and the University Oriente and the University de los Andes, both in Venezuela.

Eligibility

Applicants must be admitted to the PhD program in Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. Priority is given to candidates who demonstrate:

  • Outstanding academic achievement
  • Strong potential for impactful research
  • A commitment to advancing knowledge in hydrology, water resources, atmospheric science, or climate science
  • Academic preparation from top-tier master’s institutions
How To Apply

All applicants to the PhD program are automatically considered for the Davis-Fitzwater Fellowship. No separate application is necessary. 

Students who wish to be considered for this fellowship should include the following in their statement of purpose: "I wish to be considered for the Davis-Fitzwater Fellowship in Hydrology." Applicants should tailor their research statement towards the ambitions and goals of the fellowship.

Recipients

2025 Christabel Obi