2026 C.W. Gear Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Established by alumni, friends, and former students to recognize contributions and services of Charles W. Gear, head of the department from 1985-90. Gear was a pioneer in automatic numerical methods. He wrote the operating system for ILLIAC II, developed the first successful general program for solving stiff differential equations, and a landmark program for automatic integration of ordinary differential equations.

Eligibility: This award is for an outstanding graduate student. The recipient(s) must remain a student for at least one semester following the award (students graduating in May 2026 are NOT eligible; students who will be registered for courses in summer 2026 or fall 2026 are eligible). Typically, this award goes to doctoral students late in their graduate studies.

Required Materials:

- Unofficial transcripts for your current degree program at U of I. Unofficial transcripts can be obtained for free at: https://apps.uillinois.edu/selfservice/

- Up-to-date CV or resume.

- Essay that answers the following (500 words maximum):

Please describe what makes you an “outstanding graduate student,” who has demonstrated excellence in both research and service.

Award
$2,500.00
Deadline
04/26/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. Please confirm the following: "I am a computer science graduate student who has passed their qualifying exam and will be registered for courses in summer 2026 and/or fall 2026."
  2. Please provide unofficial transcripts for your current degree program at U of I.
  3. Please upload your current CV or resume.
  4. Please provide an answer to the following: describe what makes you an "outstanding graduate student," who has demonstrated excellence in both research and service.