Find a Fellowship | Graduate Students

Graduate Students

The opportunities listed here are a few of the programs that are available to you at your current stage of study. This is not an exhaustive list, but highlights the most commonly pursued or well-known programs. For more opportunities please see our full list of fellowships and contact the Fellowships Office.

Fellowships marked with an asterisks (*) require a campus nomination and must be applied for through the MU Fellowships Office.

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David L. Boren Graduate Fellowship (from the National Security Education Program)

Description: Boren Fellowships provide American graduate students, both at the master's and the doctoral level, with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experiences in areas of the world critical to the future security of our nation, in exchange for their commitment to seek work in the federal government. The program funds study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.

Eligibility: Graduating seniors and current graduate students who are U.S. citizens and who demonstrate commitment and ability. Applicants can be from any academic field, but should be interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Swahili.

Award: Boren Fellowships provide support for overseas or domestic study, or a combination of both. The maximum level of support for a combined overseas and domestic program is $30,000 over 24 months. Awards are made for a minimum of 12 weeks and maximum of 24 months. Overseas programs can be no longer than one year.

Deadlines: Late January/Early February

More Info: www.borenawards.org/boren_fellowship

Winston Churchill Scholarship

Description: At least thirteen Churchill Scholarships, tenable for nine or twelve months, depending on the academic program, are offered annually to pursue graduate work in Engineering, Mathematics, and the Physical and Natural Sciences. The one-year awards lead to the Masters of Philosophy (MPhil), the Certificate of Post-Graduate Study (CPGS in different fields), the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS in theoretical or applied mathematics), or a Diploma (in Computer Science).

Eligibility: Applicants for a Churchill Scholarship must be citizens of the United States and must be enrolled in one of the institutions participating in the scholarship competition. Upon taking a Churchill Scholarship, one must be between the ages of 19 and 26, hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a United States college or university, and may not have attained a doctorate. Campus nomination required.

Award: In addition to all University fees (approximately $27,000), the Foundation pays a stipend of £10,000 for nine-month programs and £12,000 for twelve-month programs, travel and visa expenses up to $2,000, and offers the possibility of a Special Research Grant of up to $2,000. The total award is therefore $48,000-$53,000. Married students should consult with the Foundation about the possibility of additional support.

Deadline: November

Web site : www.winstonchurchillfoundation.org

Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) for Intensive Summer Institutes

Description: The Critical Language Scholarships Program offers intensive overseas study in the critical need foreign languages of Arabic, Bangla/Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish and Urdu, Chinese, Korean, Persian, and Russian. The Program is part of the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI), a U.S. government interagency effort to expand dramatically the number of Americans studying and mastering critical need foreign languages. Scholarship recipients receive funding to participate in beginning, intermediate and advanced level summer language programs at American Overseas Research Centers and affiliated partners. Recipients are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period and later apply their critical language skills in their professional careers.

Eligibility: Must be U.S. citizens; be currently be enrolled in a degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level, or have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program no more than 2 years ago. Current undergraduate students must have completed at least one year of general college course-work by program start date (one year is defined as two semesters or three quarters). Students in all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Award: All program costs are covered for participants. This includes travel between the student's home city and program location, pre-departure orientation costs, applicable visa fees, room, board, travel within country and all entrance fees for program activities. Note: U.S. passport fees will not be paid by the scholarship.

Deadline: January

Web site : clscholarship.org/home.php

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Services)

Description: Highly qualified undergraduate students are invited to apply for scholarships funding study, senior thesis research and/or internships in Germany. The goal of this program is to support study abroad in Germany and at German universities. Preference will be given to students whose projects or programs are based at and organized by a German university.

Eligibility: Campus nomination required for priority consideration. Open to undergraduate, graduate, or PhD students under 32 (different kinds of awards are given for different grade levels) in any major with a high GPA interested in studying in Germany.

Award: Monthly stipends range from approximately $865 to $965, depending on the level of academic advancement.

Deadline: January

Web site: www.daad.org

DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship

Description: The Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF) program provides outstanding benefits and opportunities to students pursuing a PhD in scientific or engineering disciplines with an emphasis in high-performance computing.

Eligibility: This fellowship is for exceptional undergraduate seniors or first or second year graduate students planning full-time study toward a PhD. in the physical, engineering, computer, mathematical, or life sciences. Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens.

Award: Recipients receive payments of all tuition and required fees for up to 4 years of study, $31, 200 yearly stipend, matching funds for a computer workstation up to $2,500, yearly academic allowance of $1,000, yearly conferences, and opportunity to complete a practicum at a national DOE laboratory.

Deadline: January

Web site: www.krellinst.org/csgf/index.shtml

* Fulbright Scholarship

Description: Offers recent graduates opportunities for personal and professional development and international experience that fosters mutual understanding among nations through study and research abroad. Created to increase mutual understanding among nations through education and cultural exchanges. Students design their own projects, which may include: university coursework, library or field research, classes in a music or art school, independent projects in the social or life sciences, assistant teach English, a combination of these or other activities.

Eligibility: Campus nomination required. Bachelor's degree or equivalent, with a strong academic record in their major field; U.S. citizen; language preparation and personal qualifications.

Award: Provides funding for round trip, tuition and books.

Deadline: September

Web site : us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html

* Fulbright-mtvU Fellowship

Description: Fulbright-mtvU Fellowships, administered by the Institute of International Education, are for U.S. students to conduct research abroad for one academic year on study projects of their own design around an aspect of international musical culture. Up to 4 Fellowships will be awarded to outstanding U.S. students nationwide. In addition to proposing unique projects on "the power of music" as a global force for mutual understanding, applicants must submit an outreach plan describing how they intend to share their activities with their peers during their Fulbright year.

Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application. Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree by the beginning date of the award; in the performing arts, 4 years of professional experience may substitute for the degree. Preference will be given to recent university graduates. Applicants must apply to a country where there is an active U.S. Fulbright Student Program, as listed on us.fulbrightonline.org. Applicants must meet all potential host country requirements, including those related to language and program start dates. Applications for all world regions are encouraged.

Award: Round-trip transportation to the host country, Maintenance for the academic year, Book and research allowances, Supplemental health and accident coverage, Language or orientation courses, Media resources (e.g., digital or video camera, audio recording equipment).

Deadline: March

Web site : www.mtvu.com/uconnect/fulbright/about.jhtml

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Description: Seeks scholars who will become leaders in helping to address global problems related to health, equity, and technology. Successful applicants will have the ability to make a significant contribution to their discipline while in Cambridge, with a strong aptitude for research, analysis and a creative approach to defining and solving problems. Awards can be used for full-time residential courses of study including: research leading to the PhD degree; one year post-graduate courses; second Bachelor degree as an Affiliated Student; MBBChir in Clinical Studies.

Eligibility: Seniors or recent graduates in any major with high a GPA, under the age of thirty, who would like to study at Cambridge University in England.

Award: A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, namely: the University Composition Fee and College fees at the appropriate rate1; a maintenance allowance for a single student (£12, 250 for 12 months at the current 2008-09 rate; pro rata for courses shorter then 12 months); the cost of the most economical airfare from the scholar's normal country of residence to the UK at the beginning of their course and the cost of the most economical airfare from the UK to the scholar's normal country of residence at the end of the course; A discretionary contribution towards the costs of supporting dependants at Cambridge (upon application).

Deadline: October

More info: www.gatesscholar.org/

Fannie and John Hertz Foundation

Description: Seeks students who will apply results from the basic physical sciences to generate solution to problems of comparatively near-term, widespread human interest. Hertz is a private foundation which provides fellowships acceptable at three dozen of the nation's finest universities for graduate work leading to a PhD. degree in the physical sciences. For a list of schools eligible for study under this award go to www.hertzfoundation.org/dx/fellowships/schools.aspx .

Eligibility: Graduating seniors or first year graduate students with a minimum 3.75 GPA interested in getting their Ph.D., majoring in applied sciences.

Award: Consists of a cost-of-education allowance and a personal-support stipend.

Five-Year Hertz - Option 1
- $28,000/9-month personal stipend
- Full tuition equivalent
- Renewable for up to 5 years
Five-Year Coordinated - Option 2 Hertz Period - Two Years
- $33,000/9-month personal stipend
- Full tuition equivalent
Other Fellowship Period - Up to Three Years
- $3,000/ year supplemental stipend from Hertz
- Requires Awardee to accept a 3-year Fellowship from another source

Deadline: October.

Web site : www.hertzfoundation.org/dx/fellowships/award.aspx

Jacob Javits Fellowship

Description: This program provides fellowships to students of superior academic ability—selected on the basis of demonstrated achievement, financial need, and exceptional promise—to undertake study at the doctoral and Master of Fine Arts level in selected fields of arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Eligibility: Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S., or citizens of any one of the Freely Associated States. Applicants must be eligible to be accepted to or currently attending a graduate program leading to a doctorate or a terminal master's degree in an eligible field of study. Applicants attending a foreign institution are ineligible.

Award: A fellow receives the Javits fellowship annually for up to the lesser of 48 months or the completion of their degree. The fellowship consists of an institutional payment (accepted by the institution of higher education in lieu of all tuition and fees for the fellow) and a stipend.

Deadline: October

Web site : www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsjavits/index.html

Knowles Science Teaching Foundation

Description: The KSTF Teaching Fellowship is explicitly designed to meet the needs of beginning high school science and mathematics teachers as they earn a teaching credential and through the early years of their career.

Eligibility: Must have a degree in a physical science, engineering, systems-based biology or mathematics. Must plan to teach science or mathematics in a U.S. high school. Must be enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, an approved teaching credential program.

Award: Tuition assistance for teaching credential, monthly stipend, school-site mentor support, instructional materials support, room, board, and travel expenses for summer professional development and fellows' meetings, and membership in a professional organization.

Deadline: January

Web site : www.kstf.org

James Madison Fellowship

Description: Intended for future secondary school teachers undertaking the study of the constitution. The fellowships are intended exclusively for graduate study leading to master's degrees, for those who intend to become secondary school teachers of American history, American government, or social studies in grades 7-12. Can be used at any institution. Renewable for up to two years of graduate study.

Eligibility: College seniors and recent graduates with high a GPA interested in graduate school. Applicants must obtain: Master of Arts (MA) in American history or in political science, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) concentrating on either American Constitutional history, Master of Education (MEd) or the Master of Arts or Master of Science in Education with a concentration in American history or American government, political institutions, and political theory.

Award: The maximum amount of each award is $24,000, prorated over the period of study. In no case shall the award exceed $12,000 for one academic year of study.

Deadline: March

Web site : www.jamesmadison.com

Florenece Tan Moeson Fellowship

Description: The purpose of the fellowship is to provide individuals with the opportunity to pursue research on East, Southeast, and/or South Asia (including the overseas Asian communities), using the unparalleled collections of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The grants are for a minimum of five business days of research and are to be used to cover expenses incurred while engaging in scholastic research at the Library of Congress, in the area of Asian studies (e.g., travel to and from Washington, overnight accommodations, photocopying).

Eligibility: Graduate students, independent scholars, community college teachers, researchers without regular teaching appointments, and librarians are especially encouraged to apply.

Award: between $300 and $2500

Deadline: September

Web site: loc.gov/rr/asian/FTM.html

National Science Foundation

Description: The National Science Foundation aims to ensure the vitality of the human resource base in biological science, technology, engineering, mathematics, physical science, earch science, and social science in the United States and to reinforce its diversity by offering approximately 1,000 graduate fellowships in this competition. The Graduate Research Fellowship provides three years of support for graduate study leading to research-based masters or doctoral degrees and is intended for students who are at the early stages of their graduate study.

Eligibility: Senior or graduate student, with a high GPA, majoring in social sciences, mathematics, science, and engineering. The award can be applied at any institution.

Award: provides three years of support for graduate study leading to research-based master's or doctoral degrees (intended for students who are in the early stages of their graduate study).

Deadlines: Varies by discipline

Web site : www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ

Research Training Fellowships for Medical Students

Description: The goal of the HHMI Research Training Fellowships for Medical Students is to strengthen and expand the nation’s pool of medically trained researchers. The fellowships provide funds to support fellows and meet their research- and education-related expenses. HHMI awards the fellowships through an annual competition.

Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. medical, dental, or veterinary school and the fellowship research may be conducted at any academic or nonprofit institution in the United States, except the National Institutes of Health. Research may be conducted abroad if the fellow's mentor is affiliated with a U.S. institution.

Award: An annual stipend of $27,000, an annual fellow's allowance of $5,500, and an annual research allowance of $5,500.

Deadline: January

Web site : www.hhmi.org/grants/individuals/medfellows.html

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Description: Provides opportunities for continuing generations of able and accomplished New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen fields. A New American is an individual who (1) is a resident alien; i.e., holds a Green Card or, (2) has been naturalized as a U.S. citizen or (3) is the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens.

Eligibility: Bachelor's degree or be in final year of undergraduate study and interested in continuing their education in a professional field (e.g., engineering, medicine, law, social work, etc.) or in a scholarly discipline in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences including the Fine and Performing Arts.

Award: An annual maintenance grant of $20,000 (paid in two installments) and a tuition grant of one-half the tuition cost of the U.S. graduate program attended by the Fellow (up to a maximum of $16,000 per academic year).

Deadline: November

Web site: www.pdsoros.org/

Villers Fellowship for Health Care Justice (from Families USA)

Description: The Villers Fellowship for Health Care Justice was created in 2005 by Phillippe Villers, Founder and President of Families USA, to inspire and develop the next generation of health care justice leaders. The goals of the Villers Fellowship Program are three-fold:

To help achieve Families USA's goal of comprehensive, affordable, high-quality health care for all Americans;
To develop a network of young leaders who share a passion for social and health care justice; and
To inspire Villers Fellows to continue to work for health care justice throughout their lives

Villers Fellows will be given the opportunity to work on a variety of health care justice issues during their year-long tenure. They will also be exposed to different advocacy strategies, including producing analytic reports, disseminating effective messages through the media, successful coalition building, and e-advocacy techniques. The Fellow will also develop an understanding of the federal legislative process.

Eligibility: In order to be considered, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. We prefer that applicants have a college degree or plan to receive a degree by August. There is no minimum GPA requirement, and candidates from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Award: up to $35,000

Deadline: January

Web site : www.familiesusa.org/about/the-villers-fellowship.html

Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice (from Families USA)

Description: The Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice is designed to foster the advancement of social justice through participation in health care advocacy work that focuses on the unique challenges facing many communities of color.

Through this fellowship, Families USA hopes to expand the pool of talented social justice advocates from underrepresented economic, racial and ethnic minority groups, including black/African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The goals of the Wellstone Fellowship program are three-fold:

To address disparities in access to health care
To inspire Wellstone Fellows to continue to work for social justice throughout their lives
To increase the number and racial and ethnic diversity of up-and-coming social justice advocates and leaders

Eligibility: Candidates must demonstrate an interest in health care policy as a tool for reducing racial and ethnic health disparities. Applicants should also demonstrate a commitment to contributing to social justice work following their year of hands-on experience as a fellow. While there is no bias in favor of any specific academic discipline, a college degree is preferred. There is no minimum GPA to qualify for consideration.

Award: Fellows receive a competitive salary (approximately $35,000), excellent health care benefits, and other employer-sponsored benefits for the duration of the fellowship.

Deadline: February

Web site : www.familiesusa.org/fellowships/wellstone-fellowship.html