January Estimated Tax Payments Due Soon!

If you are a graduate student who needs to make estimated tax payments, the final estimated tax deadline for 2025 income is January 15, 2026. If this is your first time paying estimated taxes, you’re not sure if you need to pay them, or are wondering how to calculate an estimated tax payment, UChicagoGRAD is here to help. Visit our Quarterly Estimated Taxes page for detailed information, or email gradhelp@uchicago.edu with any questions.

Exploring Fellowship Opportunities
Monday, January 12, 1:00–2:00 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ

Curious about funding for research projects and other academic goals, but not sure where to start? Fellowships can enrich your career in academia (and beyond). They contribute to fieldwork expenses, research travel, conferences, language study, tuition, and many other academic funding needs. Aimed at Master's, PhD, and postdoctoral researchers, this in-person presentation will share how to find and apply to fellowships with UChicagoGRAD.

PATHS Seminar: Careers in AI for Humanists and Social Scientists
Monday, January 12, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Zoom

AI is poised to transform many of the careers that humanities and social science PhDs pursue. This panel will highlight opportunities and guidance for humanists and social scientists seeking a career in AI. A Q&A session will follow the moderated panel.

myCHOICE Seminar: Careers in Academic Safety: Protecting Research and Advancing Science
Monday, January 12, 5:30–6:30 p.m., Zoom

Safety professionals develop systems and practices that protect researchers, staff, and facilities across campus. This panel features experts in biosafety, chemical and radiation safety, environmental health and safety, and institutional compliance. Panelists will discuss their roles, how they assess and manage risk, and the technical, communication, and leadership skills needed to succeed in these essential positions.

PhD & Postdoc Career Exploration Series
Session 1: Tuesday, January 13, 1:30–3:30 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ
Session 2: Tuesday, January 20, 1:30–3:30 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ
Session 3: Tuesday, February 3, 1:30–3:30 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ

Considering a career beyond the professoriate? This multipart series is designed for you. It will help you make confident decisions about your professional future, giving you hands-on experience connecting your values, interests, and strengths to specific careers in industry, non-profit, and government. By the end of the series, you will have identified at least two specific career pathways that speak to your interests and begin the process of making connections to practitioners in those fields. This workshop is designed to be participatory and conversational, and attendance at all sessions is strongly encouraged. You must be a current UChicago PhD student, Teaching Fellow, or Postdoc in AHD, SSD, or DIV to participate.

Career30: Interviewing Best Practices
Wednesday, January 14, 4:00–4:30 p.m., Zoom

Improve your professional skills in 30 minutes or less! This presentation will introduce you to several strategies and best practices for improving your interview skills, focusing on behavioral interviews for industry, non-profit, and government careers. From mastering your self-introduction to reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses, we will focus on a few key questions to be prepared for in any interview regardless of your career path. A Q&A session will follow. This session is appropriate for graduate students and postdocs in all disciplines.

Domestic and international graduate students are eligible to apply for on-campus jobs.

Study Abroad Graduate Assistant in Rome (Spring 2026) - University of Chicago Study Abroad

Non-Instructional Grader - University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice

Higher Education Intern / Social Media & Marketing Assistant - MA Programs in the Social Sciences, University of Chicago

Winter Theatre Team Member, STAGE Center - STAGE Center

Student assistant for packing project of delicate objects - Institute for The Study of Ancient Cultures

UAA Swimming & Diving Championship - Backup Timer - University of Chicago Athletics

Grad Council Event Fund Round 2
Application Window: Monday, January 12–Monday, February 9

Have an idea for an event that would strengthen the graduate student community? GC Event Fund provides funding support for student-led programming across divisions. If you’re planning something that builds connection, improves student experience, or creates meaningful community engagement, submit an application during the window above. Decisions will be announced after the review period.

Vision Board Making with Grad Council
Wednesday, January 14, 5:30–7:00 p.m., UChicagoGRAD HQ 

Take a break from the busyness of graduate life and join the Graduate Council for a relaxing and creative Vision Board Making Evening. This event offers a welcoming space to reflect on your goals, set intentions for the months ahead, and connect with fellow graduate students. All supplies (and food!) will be provided - no artistic experience required. Tickets open January 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Follow GC's Eventbrite to stay up to date on upcoming events, including:

Urban Policy Summit
Thursday, January 15, 12:30–6:45 p.m., Institute of Politics & Keller Center

We’re excited to welcome Representative Ammad Rivera-Wagner (Wisconsin State Assembly), Councilman Zohaib Qadri (Austin City Council), and Alderwoman Nicole Lee (Chicago’s 11th Ward) for a full-day Urban Policy Summit. Please join us to discuss how urban policy works in practice. Throughout the day, our guests will share insights from their journeys to public office, reflect on their work across diverse urban contexts, and offer candid career advice for students interested in public service and local government. This event is open to all students, and everyone is encouraged to register in advance. 

Listening Deeply
Friday, January 9, 12:30–2:00 p.m., Ida Noyes 034

Want to practice deep listening skills? Want an opportunity to speak without interruptions and replies? Want to be heard and held in your hopefulness, vulnerability, and messiness? Vegetarian soup and bread will be served. New topics each week. Questions? Please dm @uchicago_spirituallife or email spirit@uchicago.edu.

COP30, Youth Voices, and the Future of Our Planet
Wednesday, January 14, 6:00–7:30 p.m., International House          

In November 2025, a delegation of UChicago students attended COP30, the United Nations’ international climate change conference in Brazil. They attended sessions on climate finance, technology, agriculture, health care, and more. What did they learn? What difference can they (and you!) make going forward? Join us to find out!

Think Better with Shige Oishi
Wednesday, January 14, 6:00–7:00 p.m., Gleacher Center 621, or Zoom

What do you look for when you think about a good life?  Join Shige Oishi for the next Think Better Speaker Series talk, "What is a good life? A psychological perspective," where he explains how happiness, meaning, and psychological richness shape your decisions.

Surveillance to Social Trust: A Comparative Look at Governance in China and the U.S.
Thursday, January 15, 12:30–1:30 p.m., The Chicago Forum

As some in the United States question the limitations of democracy and show growing openness to illiberal practices, Yaqiu Wang leans on her personal experiences from life under authoritarian rule in China to offer a timely perspective.

RA Info Session, U.S.-European Diplomacy Post WWI
Monday, January 12, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 1155 E. 60th St, Room 140C

Registration Closes Tomorrow!
Register by Friday, January 9, 5:00 p.m.

ELI courses will begin Monday, January 12. We are offering one online writing course this quarter, which could be taken advantage of even by those who are currently abroad, including guests.

Refresh Sleep Program
Register by Monday, January 12

Looking for tips on improving your sleep? Try the Refresh Sleep Program, a 7-week email program with strategies to help!

CCTL Graduate Teaching Consultations - Winter Quarter
Requests for Consultations due Thursday, January 15

Graduate Teaching Consultations (GTCs) are a confidential, individualized way to get feedback on your teaching from a trained CCTL Teaching Consultant through a classroom observation along with a pre-observation meeting, a post-observation consultation, and a written report.

Student Ombuds Application
Apply by Wednesday, January 21, 5:00 p.m.

The Student Ombuds is a part-time, salaried official of the University, appointed by the President to investigate student grievances when the existing channels of communication or dispute resolution have proven unsatisfactory. The Student Ombuds works, on average, 10 to 16.5 hours each week.

Applications for 2026–27 Writing Program Teaching Opportunities Open Now!
Applications due Friday, January 30 at 2:00 p.m.

The Writing Program will now be accepting applications from Master's and PhD students to work in Teaching Assistant and Writing Tutor positions in 2026–27.

China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF) Graduate Student Delegation: March 14-22, 2026
Application deadline: Wednesday, February 4

Join a group of ~20 UChicago graduate students to explore China and engage with Chinese leaders through visits to political, business, technological, and cultural organizations. Participants are responsible for paying their own airfare, travel insurance, overweight baggage, visa fee, and spending money. CUSEF covers hotel accommodations, most meals, and transportation costs within China. Selected applicants will be required to submit a 500-word reflection paper and a two-minute video after the trip. Eligibility: full-time UChicago graduate students who are interested in China and have never visited. Questions?: Brooke Carrell (brookec@uchicago.edu), Asst Provost & Executive Director, UChicagoGRAD Experience