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PhD Candidate vs Student: What’s the Difference?

Many people use the terms “PhD student” and “PhD candidate” interchangeably. However, these terms actually mean something quite different, including a different status level at universities.

We’re here to define the differences between a PhD candidate vs student, as well as other essential information, before you continue your educational journey.

Table of Contents

What I s a PhD student?

A doctoral student is anyone who is enrolled in a doctorate degree, also referred to as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program. PhD students are typically required to complete a certain number of course credits and sit qualifying exams. Next, they can move on to conduct research and present it in the form of a dissertation.

A PhD is centered around self-directed research and possibly teaching/running tutorials, but they typically also involve a substantial amount of coursework and require attending classes, either online or in person.

Unlike candidates, PhD students are in the process of completing the required coursework for the degree. They haven’t passed the relevant qualifying exams yet.

What Is a PhD Candidate?

A PhD candidate has completed the required coursework and passed the qualifying exams for their doctorate program. They are currently working on their dissertation.

Most PhD students need to go through an application process  and show they meet certain requirements such as a relevant master’s degree . To become a PhD candidate, doctoral students need to pass an internal application process, typically involving a set of exams.

This stage involves significant research usually in innovative areas and incorporating this into a dissertation (this stage is sometimes referred to as “all but dissertation” [ABD]), as they’ve completed all other aspects of the program and satisfied these requirements. To complete their doctoral journey, a PhD candidate must defend their dissertation. Once they’ve successfully done this, they will be awarded their degree and move from PhD candidate to doctor of their chosen field.

PhD Candidate vs Student: 6 Key Differences

There are a number of key differences between a PhD student vs PhD candidate, from their status to the structure and nature of study.

Note: Some universities have recently started adopting hybrid approaches (where there is no clear difference between PhD students and PhD candidates). These programs don’t involve any qualifying exams and students typically begin the dissertation as part of their coursework. Most schools, however, continue with the traditional distinction between a PhD candidate and PhD student.

1. Program Stage

A PhD student could be at any stage of the doctoral program . Coursework still needs to be completed and qualifying exams must be passed. Students may be in the initial stage of the program or about to complete the coursework (before beginning their research).

On the other hand, a PhD candidate has completed all coursework and has at least started their research. They may have completed their dissertation and are preparing to defend it.

2. Research Progress

A PhD student may not have selected their research topic or settled on a particular research question. A candidate’s research is in progress and they should already have a clear research question.

3. Relationship with Advisors

A PhD student may not yet have an advisor. A candidate has an established working relationship with their advisor and works closely with them to complete their research and dissertation.

4. Level of Support

Although they work closely with an advisor, a PhD candidate is generally expected to work more independently than a student enrolled in a doctoral student. Once candidates reach this stage of their doctorate, they typically won’t receive as much direction or supervision.

5. Flexibility and Structure

Understandably, PhD candidates have more freedom and flexibility in their work. Most candidates choose their area of research, as well as the methods used to conduct their work. As part of their coursework, PhD students usually have to work within a set structure (e.g., completing core subjects, meeting deadlines).

Being a PhD candidate comes with a certain degree of status. If they’ve demonstrated a degree of expertise through completing qualifying exams, candidates can put the letters PhD(c) after their name.

Tips for PhD Candidates

A PhD is an advanced degree designed to demonstrate expertise in a given field, as well as high-level skills and abilities in various areas (including research and writing). As such, earning a doctorate can be a challenging process.

The following tips for doctoral candidates will help you put your best foot forward and set yourself up for success.

Stay Organized

Because PhD candidates have to balance many competing priorities, organization is essential. Using organizational tools such as calendars,  note-taking apps , and project management software can help you keep track of deadlines and meet your targets.

Focus on Your Research

PhD candidates likely have busy schedules with plenty of demands (such as teaching commitments and crafting a dissertation). As it’s the backbone of any doctoral program, be sure to prioritize this part of your work and monitor progress to stay on track.

Actively Seek Out Feedback

Because PhD candidates often work independently, there’s a risk of feeling isolated. Ask your advisors, mentors, and fellow candidates for feedback and advice. This will help ensure that you’re considering all aspects of your research question and multiple solutions, rather than focusing too intensely on a single area.

Take Advantage of Networking Opportunities

Networking is one of the biggest benefits for PhD candidates, so take full advantage of these events. Use this time to build a strong network of professors, advisors, fellow candidates, and other professionals you meet at conferences and events.

Take Care of Yourself

A PhD program can be taxing, and it’s easy for your mental and physical health to take a backseat. Make sure you exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep . Remember: Resting and recharging is crucial for working on your dissertation.

How Long Is a Typical PhD Candidacy?

Most PhD students require 1-2 years to complete their coursework and pass their qualifying exams. However, the length of a PhD candidacy is much more open. In most cases, programs take between two and five years, depending on:

• the complexity of the field of research
• the candidate’s other commitments, such as teaching load
• other abilities, such as a candidate’s level of organization.

Once a PhD candidate has completed their dissertation, they have to defend it successfully before a panel of faculty members before they can earn their doctorate degree. This process of defending a PhD dissertation can take several months.

Some universities specify a maximum length for PhD candidacy duration. For example, Carnegie Mellon University limits this to six years .

Benefits of Being a PhD Candidate

Being a PhD candidate can be rewarding for several reasons:

1. Research Opportunities

You’ll be exposed to vast research opportunities in your field. You may contribute to valuable discoveries while developing advanced knowledge and skills.

2. Networking

Through your PhD candidacy, you’ll also be in a great position to build gain a stronger network of fellow professionals.

3. Critical Thinking

A PhD candidacy can help you develop high intellectual independence and critical thinking skills.

4. Career Opportunitie s

A PhD is an advanced degree that allows you to build a rewarding career in the academic, government, and private sectors. PhD-holders can also expect to earn more than other graduates and are most likely to find a job.

5. Salaries

According to Northeastern University , professionals with a doctorate degree earn an average annual salary of $99,290 on average (and much more for the highest-paid PhDs ) and have a 1.5% unemployment rate. For master’s degree holders, the average annual salary is $81,867 average annual salary and a 2.6% unemployment rate.

6. Personal Fulfillment

Being a PhD candidate can help you pursue your passions. This advanced qualification will allow you to become a specialist in your chosen field, allowing you to hone in on the exact subject thatl fulfills you the most.

Qualifying Exams to Become a PhD Candidate

While requirements vary by program, to become a PhD candidate, most students will need to pass a set of exams. These will test students’ knowledge in the field, measure their research skills, and ensure they’re ready to start their dissertation research.

Traditionally, qualifying exams for PhD candidates involved a written test and an oral exam. These will cover a range of topics related to your field of study, with the oral component designed to demonstrate your level of understanding.

Some universities have recently started to issue doctoral students with a set of questions and have them submit the answers within a set timeframe (usually around two weeks). Other schools ask prospective doctoral candidates to submit a dissertation proposal instead of an exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a phd candidate be called a doctor.

In most cases, a doctoral candidate cannot be called a doctor until after they successfully defend their dissertation and receive their doctorate.

Can I Put ‘PhD Candidate’ after My Name?

Once you’ve passed qualifying exams and embarked on dissertation research, you’re technically entitled to put “PhD candidate” or “PhD (c)” after your name. However, this is uncommon and not always recommended. It is generally more acceptable to mention that you are pursuing a doctorate (along with the field of research and university) or that you expect to complete your PhD in a certain year (on your CV and online profiles).

How Long Can You Be a PhD Candidate?

There isn’t a set length of time that a person can be a PhD candidate. The length of candidacy depends on a range of factors, including the subject of research and program requirements. Most PhD candidates complete this phase in around 3-5 years (where some university programs have set limits).

Do PhD Students Take Classes?

Yes, most PhD students must take classes and complete coursework as part of the first 1-2 years of their doctorate program. Once they’ve completed this coursework and passed qualifying exams, they move on to work on their research dissertation. At this stage, they’ll be considered a PhD candidate.

Key Takeaways

Now that you know the differences between PhD candidates vs. students, you’ve got a deeper understanding of how to obtain a doctorate. However you slice it, both will help you build your knowledge and skills to become an expert in your field.

However the program is structured, a PhD is a highly valuable degree that allows you to become a high-level professional and build a successful career.

If you know a PhD candidate who’s celebrating their accomplishments soon? Take a look at this guide to the best PhD graduation gifts .

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Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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What is the Difference Between a PhD Candidate and a PhD Student?

Pursuing a doctoral degree is a significant academic achievement that requires years of dedicated study, research, and intellectual rigour. Within the realm of doctoral studies, the terms ‘PhD candidate’ and ‘PhD student’ are commonly used, often interchangeably. However, a closer examination reveals that there are nuanced differences between these two designations. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for both prospective doctoral students and those seeking to comprehend the various stages of the doctoral journey.

In this article, we delve into the disparity between a PhD candidate and a PhD student, shedding light on the roles, responsibilities, and progression associated with each stage. We explore the specific criteria that differentiate a student from a candidate and the various milestones marking the transition. Additionally, we delve into the responsibilities and expectations that accompany each designation, illuminating the unique experiences and commitments faced by PhD candidates and students.

Furthermore, we acknowledge the variability in terminology across international boundaries, academic institutions, and disciplinary fields, providing insights into how different contexts might influence the usage of these terms. By the end, readers will have a comprehensive understanding of the contrasting aspects between a PhD candidate and a PhD student, facilitating informed conversations and a deeper appreciation for the intricate nature of doctoral education.

Introduction

Who is a phd student, when phd student attains status of phd candidate, variation in terminology.

Pursuing a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree involves conducting original research in a specific field of study, making a significant contribution to knowledge, and demonstrating a high level of expertise. It is the highest academic qualification one can attain and is highly valued in academia, research institutions, and certain industries. A PhD signifies a deep understanding of a subject area, advanced analytical and critical thinking skills, and the ability to conduct independent research.

While the terms “PhD candidate” and “PhD student” are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between the two.

A PhD student typically refers to an individual who has been admitted to a doctoral program, actively engaging in coursework and other program requirements. They are in the early stages of their doctoral journey and are working towards completing the necessary academic components of their degree. On the other hand, a PhD candidate is typically someone who has progressed beyond the coursework stage and has advanced to the research phase of their program. They have usually completed comprehensive exams, passed a research proposal defense, and are actively engaged in independent research for their dissertation or thesis.

The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the distinction between a PhD candidate and a PhD student. By exploring the criteria, milestones, and responsibilities associated with each designation, this article aims to clarify the unique experiences and progression of doctoral students. It also seeks to address the varying terminology used across different contexts and disciplines, enabling readers to grasp the intricacies of the doctoral journey and fostering informed discussions around this topic.

Through this article, readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the journey from being a PhD student to becoming a PhD candidate and the distinct roles and responsibilities associated with each stage.

A PhD student is an individual who has been admitted to a doctoral program and is actively engaged in pursuing their doctoral studies. They are at the initial stages of their doctoral journey, seeking to expand their knowledge, skills, and expertise in a specific field of study. PhD students play a vital role in academic research communities as they contribute to the generation of new knowledge and the advancement of their discipline.

PhD students are required to complete a set of coursework specific to their field of study. These courses are designed to provide a foundation in the discipline, enhance research skills, and broaden the student’s understanding of relevant theories and methodologies. Coursework may include seminars, advanced classes, and specialized topics. The specific coursework requirements can vary between programs and disciplines.

Example: Imagine a student named Alex who has just been accepted into a doctoral program in psychology. At this stage, Alex is considered a PhD student as they begin taking relevant coursework, attending seminars, and collaborating with faculty members. They are laying the foundation for their research and acquiring the necessary knowledge in their field.

Who is a PhD Candidate?

Advancement from being a PhD student to a PhD candidate typically involves meeting specific requirements set by the doctoral program. These requirements may vary depending on the institution and field of study but often include successful completion of coursework, exams, and other program-specific milestones.

One of the primary requirements for transitioning to a PhD candidate is the successful completion of coursework and exams. PhD students are expected to complete a designated set of courses, which provide a broad understanding of their field and research methodologies. They are also required to pass comprehensive exams, which assess their comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their research area.

As part of the transition to becoming a PhD candidate, students typically prepare and defend a research proposal. The research proposal outlines the scope, objectives, methodology, and significance of the intended research. The proposal defense may involve presenting the proposal to a committee of faculty members, who evaluate its feasibility, rigour, and contribution to the field. Additionally, PhD students often have to pass comprehensive exams, which test their knowledge of their research area and related disciplines.

If you are not familiar with writing PhD proposal and making PhD proposal presentation, then visit my articles on “ How to Write PhD Proposal Presentation to the University ” and ” How to Make a PhD Proposal Presentation to the University Panel” . These articles will guide you through the process of preparation and presentation of PhD proposal to the University panel.

Upon successful completion of the requirements, PhD students are often granted candidacy status. Advancement to candidacy signifies that the student has demonstrated the necessary knowledge, skills, and potential to conduct independent research and contribute to their field. This status allows students to focus more exclusively on their research and dissertation work.

Once students become PhD candidates, there is a shift towards an increased emphasis on independent research. They are expected to dedicate a significant portion of their time and effort to conducting original research, collecting data, analyzing results, and making novel contributions to their field. The focus is primarily on their dissertation or thesis work, which serves as the culmination of their doctoral studies.

Example: Let’s consider a PhD student named Alex in the field of computer science. After completing their coursework and passing comprehensive exams, Alex develops a research proposal outlining their intention to investigate the applications of machine learning in cybersecurity. They present the proposal to a committee of faculty members, who assess the feasibility and potential impact of the research.

Alex successfully defends their research proposal and is granted candidacy status, transitioning from a PhD student to a PhD candidate. With candidacy status, Alex’s focus shifts towards conducting independent research. They spend considerable time collecting and analyzing cybersecurity datasets, developing and refining machine learning algorithms, and testing their effectiveness in detecting and preventing cyber threats.

As a PhD candidate, Alex works closely with their advisor, regularly discussing research progress, seeking guidance, and receiving feedback. They collaborate with other researchers in the field, attend conferences to present their findings and contribute to the scholarly community through publications. The focus is now on producing an original and significant contribution to the field of computer science through their dissertation.

The transition to PhD candidacy marks a critical stage in the doctoral journey, as it signifies the ability to independently drive research and make scholarly contributions. PhD candidates like Alex are immersed in the world of research, expanding knowledge, and pushing the boundaries of their field.

Terminology related to PhD candidates and PhD students can vary internationally and among different academic institutions. In some countries, the terms “PhD candidate” and “PhD student” may be used interchangeably, while in others, there may be specific distinctions. For example, in the United States, “PhD student” is commonly used, while in the United Kingdom, “PhD candidate” is more frequently employed. Additionally, different universities or institutions may have their own terminology preferences, which can create further variation.

Terminology can also vary based on the disciplinary field of study. Different academic disciplines have their own conventions and terminology for referring to individuals pursuing a doctoral degree. For instance, in the sciences, one might encounter terms like “graduate researcher” or “doctoral candidate.” In the humanities and social sciences, the terms “PhD candidate” and “PhD student” are often used. This variation reflects the specific linguistic and cultural norms within different academic domains.

In Canada, for instance, doctoral students are commonly referred to as “PhD candidates,” regardless of their stage in the program. In Australia, “PhD candidate” is the preferred term for those who have completed the required coursework and have advanced to the research phase. In contrast, in the United States, “PhD student” is frequently used to refer to individuals at all stages of their doctoral studies.

Disciplinary variations can also be observed. In engineering, individuals pursuing a doctoral degree are often referred to as “PhD students” or “doctoral students.” In contrast, in the field of education, the term “PhD candidate” is commonly used to denote those who have advanced to the research and dissertation stage.

It is important to note that these examples represent general trends, and there can still be variation within specific institutions and programs. The usage of terminology can evolve over time and may be influenced by regional or institutional preferences.

The distinction between a PhD candidate and a PhD student holds significant importance in the realm of doctoral education.

While these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent different stages and responsibilities within the doctoral journey. A PhD student is in the initial stages of their program, actively engaging in coursework, research, and academic requirements.

On the other hand, a PhD candidate has advanced beyond coursework, passed comprehensive exams, and is focused primarily on independent research and the completion of their dissertation.

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PhD Student vs. PhD Candidate

How I use gentle, digital nudges to stay current in the post-exams world

July 6, 2017 | Alison L.

Do you know the difference between a PhD student and a Ph.D. candidate?

A candidate is someone who has fulfilled all the requirements for the degree except the dissertation.

I’m a historian (see my earlier post about being a humanist at MIT ), so my path to candidacy differs a bit from other doctoral tracks at MIT. But whatever the discipline, the transition from student to candidate is an arduous process.

My department’s requirements involved: completing two years of coursework; demonstrating proficiency in a research language other than English; submitting at least one grant application; writing and revising a dissertation proposal that the dissertation committee must approve; and, most grueling of all, passing qualifying exams.

I became a candidate on November 24, 2015, after a weeklong examination period that involved three separate seven-hour written exam and a two-hour oral examination during which our committee members can grill us on anything they please.

I felt prepared for the written exams, which were open note, because I’d done nothing but read, take notes, and revise for the four months leading up to the exams.

But I lost sleep (at a time when I really couldn’t afford to be losing sleep) fretting about the oral exam. I shouldn’t have worried as much as I did. While there were a couple moments of panic—like when I blanked on the two ecozones separated by Wallace’s line—I survived “quals.”

So, what do you do once you become a candidate?

First, you take a break. I gave myself a little over a month to relax. I worked on lower-stakes projects, read fiction, attended departmental lectures, caught up with colleagues. I enjoyed the holidays at home in Chicago.

But once the New Year rolled around, a new sense of panic set in. Without the motivating pressure of exams to keep me working at a breakneck pace, how would I ever stay up-to-date in my fields? This anxiety, I’m willing to guess, is one shared by almost all academics.

While I’m actually more interested in how others have handled this pressure—comment away please!—I wanted to share a few tips I’ve picked up for keeping au courant .

1. Sign up for eTOCs That acronym stands for email Table of Contents alerts. Most journal publishers have a system that allows you to receive emails detailing the contents of their most recent releases. Sign up for a few of these and you’ll receive quarterly reminders that make it easier to stay on top of developments in the literature.

For some fields, it might not be necessary to read entire journals. In that case, pick some keywords and set up a bunch of Google Scholar alerts. Talk to your advisors and peers to see what works best in your discipline.

2. Make social media work for you Choose one social media platform and turn it into a research tool. My platform of choice is Twitter. You might be surprised by the number of scholars and professional associations that use social media. I rarely tweet myself, but I check Twitter at least once each day to find links to interesting articles, news about gatherings in my field, and to follow the work of scholars I admire. In addition to yielding worthwhile information, my Twitter sessions have the added benefit of tricking my brain into thinking it’s taking a break from work.

If you’re wondering how to curate your Twitter feed, first take a look at papers you’ve written for classes or published. See if the scholars that you cite in your own work are on Twitter and go from there. This is the most casual form of networking, but especially for introverts (like myself) these social media e-introductions facilitate in-person conference meetings, which can lead to future collaborations.

3. Listservs make life easier Most people at MIT know about the free food listserv. I’m not a member because I don’t need that kind of temptation in my life. Still, I’m a big fan of using listservs to join intellectual communities. In addition to the handful of MIT-based lists that tell me about upcoming lectures and workshops here on campus, I receive emails from communities at other Cambridge- and Boston-based schools. I’m also on a few listservs for universities in other cities. Even if I’m never able to attend those events, I know who is working on what where. If academia is about staying in the know, listservs help you do that.

I’ve written this from the perspective of a PhD candidate who needed gentle, digital nudges to stay current in the post-exams world, but I hope they prove useful for students, candidates, and beyond. Now comes the important question: What are your strategies for staying up-to-date?

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Fellowships for PhD Students

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USC FELLOWSHIPS FOR INCOMING PhD STUDENTS

Most PhD students at USC will receive at least one year of fellowship funding from the Graduate School as part of a four or five-year package of support. The stipend amount and the duration of the fellowship will vary by department and by school. All applicants who are admitted into a qualifying USC PhD program are automatically considered for these fellowships. Fellowship recipients are selected by the faculty of the school or department in which they intend to pursue their studies. In addition to general opportunities, the Graduate School offers the following fellowship top offs for incoming PhD students. Fellowship top off recipients are selected by the faculty of the school or department in which the student intends to pursue their studies.

Provost’s Fellowship Top Off

for incoming PhD students whose combination of background and training will make a substantive, documentable, and unique contribution to the program as assessed by faculty. Provost’s fellowship top off recipients are students who excel through their academic or professional contributions and contribute to diversity and/or the reduction of salient inequalities in the program and/or field.

Annenberg Fellowship Top Off

Funding for prospective masters and professional doctorate students.

Funding for students pursuing a master’s or professional doctorate degree is coordinated by the school or program. Students are encouraged to explore additional opportunities through the USC Fellowships and Awards database

External Fellowship Opportunities for PhD Students

The USC Graduate School provides a variety of resources to support PhD students seeking funding, including information sessions, boot camps and proposal review workshops.

Students who receive one of a number of designated national awards may be eligible for stipend top offs from the Graduate School. Fellowships eligible for top offs are noted in the USC Fellowships and Awards database  

Staff in the Graduate School serve as coordinating officials for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, the Ford Foundation’s Pre-Doctoral and Dissertation Completion Fellowships, the Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Completion Fellowship, the U.S. Department of Education, Fulbright Hays Program, the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships, the Josephine De Karman Fellowships and the Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowships.

PhD students applying for external fellowships that are “institutionally limited,” meaning that there is a limit placed on the number of students who can apply, or whose applications require the approval of a university official, should contact the Graduate School well in advance of any deadlines.

FELLOWSHIP BOOT CAMP

The External Fellowship Boot Camp is an intensive writing workshop in which students prepare a funding application. In the fall, the Boot Camp is targeted to students pursuing the National Science Foundation, Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Ford Foundation Pre-Doctoral Fellowship. In the Spring, Boot Camp is designed for advanced PhD students in the humanities and social sciences who will be applying for a variety of kinds of support.

Participants may be eligible for a research award of up to $1,000 if they submit a complete proposal to one of the identified fellowships. Boot camp attendees meet as a large group and in smaller, rotating groups of their peers.

Graduates of the boot camp have enthusiastically endorsed the program:

• The boot camp “definitely helped me gear my essay towards a larger audience, which is particularly important since the review panel for my discipline may include scholars from other fields”
• “I loved it and felt like because of the difference in discipline everyone had a unique perspective and advice so each reviewer’s comment was different instead of getting the same feedback over and over again”
• “The most important things I learned during the boot camp were about addressing the broader impacts criterion of the NSF GRFP. I feel much more confident now about telling a story relating my experiences to the evaluation criteria.”

For the fall Boot Camp, applications, including a recent CV and a rough draft of a 2 or 3 page personal statement are due to the graduate school in early June. Applications for the Spring Boot Camp are usually due in late February.

PhD Student Funding Overview

At Yale, you can earn your doctorate at our expense. 

Our funding packages for Yale PhD students are among the most generous in the world. Every PhD student receives a fellowship for the full cost of tuition, a stipend for living expenses, and paid health coverage, though the details of your funding package will differ depending on your academic program. On average, doctoral students receive more than $500,000 in tuition fellowships, stipends, and health premium benefits over the course of their enrollment. Full PhD funding normally extends for a minimum of five years, unless your doctoral program is of shorter duration, e.g., Investigative Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Public Health. 

The main categories of funding available to PhD students are detailed below. Our Programs & Policies handbook contains additional information about funding and fellowship opportunities available at the Graduate School, along with applicable policies. 

If you have questions about your funding, you can ask your program registrar or DGS, Graduate Financial Aid, or Associate Dean Robert Harper-Mangels.

Types of Funding for PhD Students

University Fellowships (UFs) are provided through the Graduate School and do not require teaching in Yale's Teaching Fellow Program. UFs are often used during the initial year(s) of your doctoral program to cover your stipend and tuition, when you are engaged in coursework and identifying an adviser.

For official policies governing University Fellowships, including information on deferring a UF, please see our Programs & Policies Bulletin .

In subsequent years and in most programs, your stipend will be funded by a teaching fellowship or a research assistantship.

Teaching Fellowships (TFs) are contingent on teaching Yale's Teaching Fellow Program (TFP). While you are on a TF, a portion of your stipend is compensation for teaching. The rest of your stipend will come from other sources, depending on your department or program. See the Teaching Fellow Funding page for more information.

The teaching portion of your stipend is subject to federal tax withholding, so you will notice a difference in your paycheck in teaching versus non-teaching semesters.

In lieu of teaching in the Teaching Fellow Program, PhD students in the humanities and social sciences may choose to undertake one of the available Professional Development Opportunities . These positions allow you to gain professional experience at a library, museum, or other office on campus relevant to your studies. 

If you are in the natural sciences, your funding will likely come from training grants and faculty research grants at some point during your enrollment. In most programs, you may only join a research group that has active grant funding. Please consult with your DGS, if you have questions about this aspect of your funding package.

We strongly encourage you to compete for external fellowships. Winning an external award in a national competition, whether sponsored by a public or private agency, is a significant honor. External fellowships may be subject to our Combined Award policy. Please be sure to review our External Fellowships & Awards page to understand how external awards interact with university funding.

An external fellowship may also offer you added flexibility in your program. 

• If you are a student in the natural sciences, an external fellowship may allow you to pursue a project or idea that is otherwise not eligible for financial support through your adviser’s research funding. 
• If you are a student in the humanities or social sciences, an external fellowship might allow you to defer a University Fellowship (UF) to a subsequent term or year. 

You can search for external fellowships through the Yale Student Grants Database , other university search engines (e.g., UCLA ), and commercial sites .

You must notify the Graduate School of any external awards you receive. 

• Send a copy of your award letter to the Financial Aid Office at [email protected] .
• If your award is subject to the Combined Award policy, then you will receive a combined award letter via email when your award has been processed, outlining your updated funding package. 

For any questions and concerns regarding your combined award letter, please contact the Graduate School Financial Aid Office via email at [email protected]. Associate Dean Robert Harper-Mangels can also advise regarding our Combined Award policy.

Additional GSAS Financial Support

Phd stipends.

An overview of information relevant to the PhD stipend.

Health Award

The Graduate School provides Yale Health Basic Coverage at no cost to all students (Master's and PhD) who are enrolled at least half-time in degree-seeking programs. In addition, all PhD students registered at least half-time receive a Health Fellowship Award that covers the cost of Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage.

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Family Support Subsidy for Parenting PhD Students

PhD students who are registered full-time in any year of study are eligible for the family support subsidy to assist with child-related expenses.

Dean's Emergency Fund

The Dean’s Emergency Fund enables terminal master’s and PhD students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to continue making academic progress despite unanticipated, extreme financial hardships that cannot be resolved through fellowships, loans, or personal resources. The maximum award for eligible requests is $2,000.

Conference Travel Fellowship (CTF)

https://gsa.yale.edu/ctf

By partnering with the MacMillan Center and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, graduate students with representatives in the Graduate Student Assembly are eligible for annual conference travel funding of up to $800.

PhD Student Travel Health Fellowship

If you are a PhD student traveling for dissertation research, the Graduate School provides a Travel Health Fellowship to cover the cost of required immunizations and prescription drugs at Yale Health.

Graduate Financial Aid Office

Office Address

• [email protected]
• 203-432-2739
• 246 Church Street, 2nd Floor

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How to Pay for a PhD: Fellowships for Graduate Students, Research Funding, and More

If you've ever considered earning a doctorate, one of the questions you've undoubtedly asked yourself is "how will I pay for a PhD?" 

The good news is, most doctoral students receive fellowships and research funding from the their college or university, and are not directly responsible for paying for the majority of their PhD costs.

Fully Funded PhD Programs: What Makes them Possible?

Fully funded PhD programs allow doctoral students to focus exclusively on their studies and research, without having to hold a full time job to make ends meet. Full funding is often made possible through one or more fellowships or grants from the department, the graduate school, and other organizations. SMU currently has 55 Moody School funded PhD students.

SMU’s newest school, the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies , is able to offer a wide range of fellowships thanks, in large part, to a landmark $100 million endowment from the Moody Foundation. SMU's PhD programs cater to graduate students who want to engage in advanced, interdisciplinary, innovative studies, and data-driven research.  In this new chapter of our story, we leading the charge to discover technological solutions to the many local and global issues that challenge us as we move further into the 21 st century.

This endowment and the associated operational funds support…

• Graduate students
• SMU faculty, renowned visiting faculty, and deanships
• Leading scholars who conduct world-changing research
• Expansion of interdisciplinary research and development

“We cannot overstate the power and reach of this gift. This is a transformational moment for SMU and Dallas, signaling that SMU is a premier institution with the means to be a full partner in commercial and global problem-solving, and a pipeline for leaders to tackle those challenges." — R. Gerald Turner, SMU President

In addition to propelling SMU forward as a leading research institution, the Moody endowment has an untold impact on the Dallas community surrounding SMU. "As the Texas economy booms, companies and institutions look to universities like SMU for innovative ideas, data-driven research, and technology that can create opportunity,” Turner said. “The Moody School will be the portal to all of our resources — the entry point for any organization with a research challenge to approach the University for partnership.”

What Does the Moody Foundation Grant Mean for Graduate Students?

The Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies offers master’s and doctoral degrees that span many fields across four of SMU’s colleges and schools. These are the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, the Lyle School of Engineering, the Meadows School of the Arts, and the Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

In a purely practical sense, this remarkable donation opens new doors for graduate students seeking fellowships and grants. Students in each of the four colleges and schools noted above can apply for fellowships, grants, and research funding that advance the goals of SMU. Let’s explore each of these funding mechanisms and discuss how prospective SMU grad students can secure these forms of funding.

Fellowships for Graduate Students at SMU

Moody graduate fellowships.

Beginning with the Fall 2021 applicants, SMU will offer fellowships to a select group of PhD applicants. These fellowships reward applicants who show exceptional promise for academic success. They provide tuition waivers, health insurance, and pensions of $30,000 for up to five years.

Students who apply to a PhD program at SMU by the  priority deadline  are eligible for the Moody Graduate Fellowship. Each department may nominate only one candidate, and SMU will consider only candidates nominated by their department.

University PhD Fellowships

Exceptional PhD and students with PhD-equivalents qualify for a fellowship grant that can defray educational costs for up to five years, contingent on satisfactory progress toward the degree.

All students who apply to a PhD program by the priority deadline  are eligible for the University PhD Fellowship. Each department may nominate a limited number of candidates, and SMU will consider only candidates nominated by their department.

Mustang Fellowships

Mustang Fellowships help SMU improve the diversity of its graduate student population. These provide tuition waivers, health insurance, and pensions of $30,000 for up to five years for PhD students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and identify as diverse in their academic disciplines.

As a PhD program applicant, you’re invited to apply for this fellowship through a brief essay in your application. You should explain why your educational, cultural, geographic, or familial background will contribute to SMU’s graduate program diversity. Departments nominate candidates for the Mustang Fellowship as part of their application review process.

Moody Dissertation Fellowships

These fellowships recognize and support outstanding PhD students as they complete their dissertations. SMU reserves this award for PhD students in the dissertation-writing phase of their degrees. It is available for those whose research shows exceptional promise for impact in their field of study.

The awards provide tuition waivers, health insurance, and a stipend of $30,000 for one year. Recipients commit to develop and defend their dissertations in the fellowship year. Their departments must nominate students to be eligible for this fellowship.

Dean’s Dissertation Fellowships

These fellowships provide support to PhD students in the dissertation-writing phase of their degrees, allowing them to focus on completing and defending their dissertations. They provide tuition waiver, health insurance, and a stipend commensurate with the standard PhD stipend in their department. Recipients commit to complete and defend their dissertations in the fellowship year. Each department must nominate students to be eligible for this fellowship.

Grants for PhD Students at SMU

Graduate student travel grants.

Graduate students can receive up to $750 in reimbursement for travel expenses to present an accepted paper or poster at a conference. You can apply for a travel grant here.

SMU accepts travel grant applications year-round but awards only one grant per student each academic year. The department chair and the graduate advisor must sponsor each proposal. Note that travel grants cannot be awarded retroactively, you'll need to submit a proposal before you travel.

Dedman Graduate Student Assembly Funding

The Dedman College Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) provides funding for graduate students in each department of Dedman College. The GSA receives a portion of the student fees paid by the graduate students in Dedman College. Those funds circulate back to graduate students who receive small grants to cover certain expenses that range from $100 to a few hundred dollars.

Graduate students can use this funding to pay for thesis and dissertation related expenses, such as presenting a paper or poster at a convention, conference, or other graduate activity, attending conferences, and purchasing membership in professional organizations and journals. Grad students may apply before the funding is necessary, or for reimbursement up to 30 days after the activity. 

Begin Your Fully-Funded PhD Program at SMU

With more than 100 years of history to build on, the SMU community is excited for the next chapter of growth that has been made possible through the Moody Foundation. With growing enrollment numbers, the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies is already attracting the best students, staff, and faculty. Now, SMU and its graduate students are positioned to make even greater research contributions to our local Dallas community, our nation, and the world.

learn more about how

the new Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies is more committed than ever to helping grad students thrive.

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Google PhD fellowship program

Google PhD Fellowships directly support graduate students as they pursue their PhD, as well as connect them to a Google Research Mentor.

Nurturing and maintaining strong relations with the academic community is a top priority at Google. The Google PhD Fellowship Program was created to recognize outstanding graduate students doing exceptional and innovative research in areas relevant to computer science and related fields. Fellowships support promising PhD candidates of all backgrounds who seek to influence the future of technology. Google’s mission is to foster inclusive research communities and encourage people of diverse backgrounds to apply. We currently offer fellowships in Africa, Australia, Canada, East Asia, Europe, India, Latin America, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the United States.

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Program details

Application status, how to apply, research areas of focus, review criteria, award recipients.

Applications are now open.

Submit by 11:59:59pm UTC-12 (AoE) May 8, 2024. Notification of decisions will be announced via email in July 2024.

• Launch March 27, 2024
• Deadline May 8, 2024
• Winner selected by July 31, 2024

The details of each Fellowship vary by region. Please see our FAQ for eligibility requirements and application instructions.

PhD students must be nominated by their university. Applications should be submitted by an official representative of the university during the application window. Please see the FAQ for more information.

Australia and New Zealand

Canada and the United States

PhD students in Japan, Korea and Taiwan must be nominated by their university. After the university's nomination is completed, either an official representative of the university or the nominated students can submit applications during the application window. Please see the FAQ for more information.

India and Southeast Asia

PhD students apply directly during the application window. Please see the FAQ for more information.

Latin America

The 2024 application cycle is postponed. Please check back in 2025 for details on future application cycles.

Google PhD Fellowship students are a select group recognized by Google researchers and their institutions as some of the most promising young academics in the world. The Fellowships are awarded to students who represent the future of research in the fields listed below. Note that region-specific research areas will be listed in application forms during the application window.

Algorithms and Theory

Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing

Health and Bioscience

Human-Computer Interaction and Visualization

Machine Intelligence

Machine Perception

Natural Language Processing

Quantum Computing

Security, Privacy and Abuse Prevention

Software Engineering

Software Systems

Speech Processing

Applications are evaluated on the strength of the research proposal, research impact, student academic achievements, and leadership potential. Research proposals are evaluated for innovative concepts that are relevant to Google’s research areas, as well as aspects of robustness and potential impact to the field. Proposals should include the direction and any plans of where your work is going in addition to a comprehensive description of the research you are pursuing.

In Canada and the United States, East Asia and Latin America, essay responses are evaluated in addition to application materials to determine an overall recommendation.

What does the Google PhD Fellowship include?

Students receive named Fellowships which include a monetary award. The funds are given directly to the university to be distributed to cover the student’s expenses and stipend as appropriate. In addition, the student will be matched with a Google Research Mentor. There is no employee relationship between the student and Google as a result of receiving the fellowship. The award does not preclude future eligibility for internships or employment opportunities at Google, nor does it increase the chances of obtaining them. If students wish to apply for a job at Google, they are welcome to apply for jobs and go through the same hiring process as any other person.

• Up to 3 year Fellowship
• US $12K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
• Google Research Mentor
• 1 year Fellowship
• AUD $15K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
• Up to 2 year Fellowship (effective from 2024 for new recipients)
• Full tuition and fees (enrollment fees, health insurance, books) plus a stipend to be used for living expenses, travel and personal equipment
• US $10K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
• Yearly bursary towards stipend / salary, health care, social benefits, tuition and fees, conference travel and personal computing equipment. The bursary varies by country.

Early-stage PhD students

• Up to 4 year Fellowship
• US $50K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel

Late-stage PhD students

• US $10K to recognise research contributions, cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
• US $15K per year to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel

Southeast Asia

• US $10K per year for up to 3 years (or up to graduation, whichever is earlier) to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel

Is my university eligible for the PhD Fellowship Program?

Africa, Australia/New Zealand , Canada, East Asia, Europe and the United States : universities must be an accredited research institution that awards research degrees to PhD students in computer science (or an adjacent field).

India, Latin America and Southeast Asia : applications are open to universities/institutes in India, Latin America (excluding Cuba), and in eligible Southeast Asian countries/regions (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam).

Restrictions : All award payments and recipients will be reviewed for compliance with relevant US and international laws, regulations and policies. Google reserves the right to withhold funding that may violate laws, regulations or our policies.

What are the eligibility requirements for students?

All regions

• Students must remain enrolled full-time in the PhD program for the duration of the Fellowship or forfeit the award.
• Google employees, and their spouses, children, and members of their household are not eligible.
• Students that are already supported by a comparable industry award are not eligible. Government or non-profit organization funding is exempt.
• Past awardees from the PhD Fellowship program are not eligible to apply again.
• Grant of the Fellowship does not mean admission to a PhD program. The awardee must separately apply and be accepted to a PhD program in computer science (or an adjacent field) at an eligible institution.
• Grant of the Fellowship will be subject to the rules and guidelines applicable in the institution where the awardee registers for the PhD program.

Nominated students in Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and the United States, East Asia and Europe.

Universities should only nominate students that meet the following requirements:

• Africa: Incoming PhD students are eligible to apply, but the Fellowship award shall be contingent on the awardee registering for a full-time PhD program in computer science (or an adjacent field) within the academic award year of the Fellowship award, or the award shall be forfeited.
• Australia and New Zealand : early-stage students enrolled in the first or second year of their PhD (no requirement for completion of graduate coursework by the academic award year).
• Canada and the United States : students who have completed graduate coursework in their PhD by the academic award year when the Fellowship begins.
• East Asia: students who have completed most of graduate coursework in their PhD by the academic award year when the Fellowship begins. Students should have sufficient time for research projects after receiving a fellowship.
• Europe: Students enrolled at any stage of their PhD are eligible to apply.

Direct applicant students in India, Latin America and Southeast Asia

• Latin America : incoming or early stage-students enrolled in the first or second year of their PhD (no requirement for completion of graduate coursework by the academic award year).

What should be included in an application? What language should the application be in?

All application materials should be submitted in English.

For each student nomination, the university will be asked to submit the following material in a single, flat (not portfolio) PDF file:

• Student CV with links to website and publications (if available)
• Short (1-page) resume/CV of the student's primary PhD program advisor
• Available transcripts (mark sheets) starting from first year/semester of Bachelor's degree to date
• Research proposal (maximum 3 pages, excluding references)
• 2-3 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the nominee''s work (at least one from the thesis advisor for current PhD students)
• Student essay response (350-word limit) to: What impact would receiving this Fellowship have on your education? Describe any circumstances affecting your need for a Fellowship and what educational goals this Fellowship will enable you to accomplish.
• Transcripts of current and previous academic records
• 1-2 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the nominee's work (at least one from the thesis advisor)

Canada, East Asia, the United States

• Cover sheet signed by the Department Chair confirming the student passes eligibility requirements. (See FAQ "What are the eligibility requirements for students?")
• Short (1-page) CV of the student's primary advisor
• 2-3 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the nominee's work (at least one from the thesis advisor)
• Research / dissertation proposal (maximum 3 pages, excluding references)
• Student essay response (350-word limit) to: Describe the desired impact your research will make on the field and society, and why this is important to you. Include any personal, educational and/or professional experiences that have motivated your research interests.
• Student essay response (350-word limit) to: Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. (A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities? Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family?)

Students will need the following documents in a single, flat (not portfolio) PDF file in order to complete an application (in English only):

• Student applicant’s resume with links to website and publications (if available)
• Short (one-page) resume/CV of the student applicant's primary PhD program advisor
• 2-3 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the applicant's work (at least one from the thesis advisor for current PhD students)
• Applicant's essay response (350-word limit) to: Describe the desired impact your research will make on the field and society, and why this is important to you. Include any personal, educational and/or professional experiences that have motivated your research interests.
• Applicant's essay response (350-word limit) to: What are your long-term goals for your pathway in computing research, and how would receiving the Google PhD Fellowship help you progress toward those goals in the short-term?

How do I apply for the PhD Fellowship Program? Who should submit the applications? Can students apply directly for a Fellowship?

Check the eligibility and application requirements in your region before applying. Submission forms are available on this page when the application period begins.

India, Latin America and Southeast Asia: students may apply directly during the application period.

Africa, Australia, Canada, East Asia, Europe, New Zealand, and the United States : students cannot apply directly to the program; they must be nominated by an eligible university during the application period.

How many students may each university nominate?

India, Latin America and Southeast Asia : applications are open directly to students with no limit to the number of students that can apply from a university.

Australia and New Zealand : universities may nominate up to two eligible students.

Canada and the United States : Universities may nominate up to four eligible students. We encourage nominating students with diverse backgrounds especially those from historically marginalized groups in the field of computing. If more than two students are nominated then we strongly encourage additional nominees who self-identify as a woman, Black / African descent, Hispanic / Latino / Latinx, Indigenous, and/or a person with a disability.

Africa, East Asia and Europe : Universities may nominate up to three eligible students. We encourage nominating students with diverse backgrounds especially those from historically marginalized groups in the field of computing. If more than two students are nominated then we strongly encourage the additional nominee who self-identifies as a woman.

*Applications are evaluated on merit. Please see FAQ for details on how applications are evaluated.

How are applications evaluated?

In Canada and the United State, East Asia and Latin America, essay responses are evaluated in addition to application materials to determine an overall recommendation.

A nominee's status as a member of a historically marginalized group is not considered in the selection of award recipients.

Research should align with Google AI Principles .

Incomplete proposals will not be considered.

How are Google PhD Fellowships given?

Any monetary awards will be paid directly to the Fellow's university for distribution. No overhead should be assessed against them.

What are the intellectual property implications of a Google PhD Fellowship?

Fellowship recipients are not subject to intellectual property restrictions unless they complete an internship at Google. If that is the case, they are subject to the same intellectual property restrictions as any other Google intern.

Will the Fellowship recipients become employees of Google?

No, Fellowship recipients do not become employees of Google due to receiving the award. The award does not preclude future eligibility for internships or employment opportunities at Google, nor does it increase the chances of obtaining them. If they are interested in working at Google, they are welcome to apply for jobs and go through the same hiring process as any other person.

Can Fellowship recipients also be considered for other Google scholarships?

Yes, Fellowship recipients are eligible for these scholarships .

After award notification, when do the Google PhD Fellowships begin?

After Google PhD Fellowship recipients are notified, the Fellowship is effective starting the following school year.

What is the program application time period?

Applications for the 2024 program will open in March 2024 and close in May 2024 for all regions. Refer to the main Google PhD Fellowship Program page for each region’s application details.

A global awards announcement will be made in September on the Google Research Blog publicly announcing all award recipients.

How can I ask additional questions?

Due to the volume of emails we receive, we may not be able to respond to questions where the answer is available on the website. If your question has not been answered by a FAQ, email:

Africa: [email protected]

Australia and New Zealand: [email protected]

Canada and the United States: [email protected]

East Asia: [email protected]

Europe: [email protected]

India: [email protected]

Latin America: [email protected]

Southeast Asia: [email protected]

See past PhD Fellowship recipients.

Discover our collection of tools and resources

Browse our library of open source projects, public datasets, APIs and more to find the tools you need to tackle your next challenge or fuel your next breakthrough.

SGF: Stanford Graduate Fellowship in Science & Engineering

Fellowships & Funding

Each year, SGF awards approximately 100 fellowships providing stipends and tuition support to outstanding students pursuing doctoral degrees in science and engineering. Since the first fellowships were awarded in 1997, over 2000 Stanford Graduate Fellows have received their PhDs from Stanford. 

The program was initiated by Gerhard Casper, then President of Stanford University, and is designed to support the University's commitment to attracting the very best graduate students while reducing its dependence on federal funding for PhD training. These fellowships are available to students in the natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, engineering, the basic sciences in the School of Medicine, and those social sciences, including education, which are now dependent on federal assistantship support for their doctoral students.

Nominations Process:

Students must be nominated for the SGF by their degree program. Most nominees are students who are newly admitted to an eligible science or engineering doctoral program. Other nominees are promising students who have already completed a year or more of graduate study at Stanford or elsewhere, and have demonstrated excellence in doctoral level research and study. 

Fellows are selected each year by the Graduate Fellowships Faculty Advisory Committee, made up of faculty from many eligible degree programs.

Fellowship Terms

To complement the academic requirements and recruitment needs of different disciplines, several configurations of the Stanford Graduate Fellowship have been approved. The most common configurations are listed below, however, on occasion, students may be offered a fellowship configuration that differs from the examples provided and this would be noted in the student's offer letter.

Standard Three-Year SGF

The standard three-year (12 quarter) SGF provides support for four quarters each year. Fellows receive a stipend and tuition support for minimum full-time enrollment (8 to 10 units).  The 2024-25 annual stipend is set at $54,800 annually, $13,700 per quarter.

Modified Three-Year SGF (Graduate School of Education, School of Engineering)

All newly admitted Graduate School of Education (GSE) SGFs are offered an 11-quarter modified configuration of the award. Engineering degree programs decide locally whether to offer newly admitted students the 11-quarter modified SGF as an alternative to, or, in place of, the standard 12-quarter configuration. All GSE and Engineering SGFs who are offered or who select the modified SGF configuration receive maximum tuition (11-18 units) for the first three quarters and minimum full-time tuition (8-10 units) for the next eight quarters of the SGF. They receive the SGF stipend for all 11 quarters. Any student in Engineering whose fellowship offer includes the option to select the modified SGF must do so by the Final Study List Deadline of their first quarter of enrollment.

Standard Two-Year SGF

The standard two-year (8 quarter) SGF provides support for four quarters each year. Fellows receive a stipend and tuition support for minimum full-time enrollment (8 to 10 units). The 2024-25 annual stipend is set at $54,800 annually, $13,700 per quarter.

FIND OUT WHICH DEPARTMENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SGF  SEE THE GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS FACULTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Related Events

Students must be nominated by an eligible degree program to be considered for a SGF. Most nominees are newly admitted students in the sciences or engineering.

Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Departments that are eligible for SGF

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PhD Scholarships & Fellowships

This page contains a list of some of the more popular fellowships and scholarships available to graduate students specializing in a wide range of computer-science-related disciplines. This is not an exhaustive list, however, so certainly feel free to seek out opportunities on your own.

Be sure to explore the JHU Research Office’s webpage for Graduate Student Funding Opportunities . They maintain and regularly update a fairly comprehensive list of fellowships and scholarships.

We also encourage you to browse the Whiting School of Engineering’s page for graduate student fellowship and scholarship opportunities . They also maintain and regularly update a solid list of external fellowships and scholarships.

External Scholarships & Fellowships

Google phd fellowship.

The Google PhD Fellowship Program was created to recognize outstanding graduate students doing exceptional work in computer science and related research areas. This is a limited submission fellowship, so direct applications from students are not accepted. You will need to submit your application through the department’s academic program manager. Please refer to the Google Fellowship FAQ for specific eligibility criteria and award provisions, as they may change from year to year.

Timeframe: The announcement (from your academic program manager) of the open application period usually happens in mid-October. All application materials are typically due to your department program manager in mid-November. If awarded, the fellowship goes into effect the following academic year.

IBM PhD Fellowship Awards

The IBM PhD Fellowship Awards recognize and support exceptional PhD students who want to make their mark in promising and disruptive technologies. This is a limited submission fellowship, so direct applications from students are not accepted. You will need to submit your application through the department’s academic program manager. Please refer to the IBM PhD Fellowship Awards FAQ for specific eligibility criteria and award provisions, as they may change from year to year.

Timeframe: The a nnouncement (from your academic manager) of the open application period usually happens in mid-September and all application materials are typically due to your department academic manager in mid-October. Once the department’s internal selection process concludes, chosen applications must be submitted directly to IBM by the student’s faculty advisor. If awarded, the fellowship goes into effect the following academic year.

Link Foundation Fellowship

The Link Foundation Fellowship supports PhD students specializing in modeling, simulation, and training. The fellowship was created to foster advanced-level research in modeling, simulation, and training; enable PhD students the freedom to work on their research full-time; and to disseminate the results of that research through conferences, journals, and other publications. This is an unlimited submission fellowship, so students should apply directly to the Link Foundation. Please refer to the Link Foundation’s website for specific eligibility criteria and award provisions, as they may change from year to year.

Timeframe: The online application submission usually opens around October 1 and closes around January 15. If awarded, the fellowship goes into effect the following July.

Meta Emerging Scholars Fellowship

The Meta Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program is designed to encourage and support promising doctoral students who are engaged in innovative and relevant research in areas related to computer science and engineering at an accredited university. This is an unlimited submission fellowship, so students should apply directly to Meta. Please refer to the fellowship website for specific eligibility criteria and award provisions, as they may change from year to year.

Timeframe: The application period usually opens in mid-August and all application materials are typically due in early October. If awarded, the fellowship goes into effect the following academic year.

Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship

The Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship is a two-year fellowship for PhD students at North American universities pursuing research aligned to the research topics carried out by Microsoft Research. This is a limited submission fellowship, so direct applications from students are not accepted. You will need to submit your application through the department’s academic program manager. Please refer to their fellowship website for specific eligibility criteria and award provisions, as they may change from year to year.

Timeframe: The application period usually opens in August or early September (announced by your academic department manager) and all application materials are typically due in early October. If awarded, the fellowship goes into effect the following academic year.

NDSEG Fellowship

The NDSEG Fellowship is sponsored and funded by the Department of Defense under the direction of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Engineering, Director of Basic Engineering. The NDSEG Fellowship is available to bachelor’s and master’s degree recipients and 1 st and 2 nd year PhD students. This is an unlimited submission fellowship, so students should apply directly to NDSEG. Please refer to the NDSEG Fellowship FAQ for specific eligibility criteria and award provisions, as they may change from year to year.

Timeframe: The application usually opens in early September and closes in early December. If awarded, the fellowship goes into effect the following academic year. Prospective applicants are encouraged to check the NDSEG website for exact submission protocols and deadlines.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions. This is an unlimited submission fellowship, so students should apply directly to the NSF Fellowship Program via Research.gov . Please refer to the NSF Fellowship website for specific eligibility criteria and award provisions, as they may change from year to year.

Timeframe: The application deadline is usually in mid-October. If awarded, the fellowship goes into effect the following academic year. Prospective applicants are encouraged to check GRFP Solicitation  for exact submission protocols and deadlines.

Internal Scholarships & Fellowships

Vivien thomas scholars initiative.

The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) is dedicated to nurturing, mentoring, and connecting the exceptional diverse talent that exists at historically black colleges and universities and other minority serving institutions (MSIs) to STEM graduate education and future leadership in STEM careers.

The VTSI provides:

• Exceptional Research Training: As the nation’s first research university and the nation’s leader in annual federal research funding for over 40 years, Hopkins is a great place to learn, do science, and grow in STEM. Together, Hopkins faculty and students do phenomenal research, giving rise to extraordinary discoveries that have positively transformed our nation and the globe. VTSI scholars will join one of our exceptional STEM PhD programs for their own graduate journey of discovery, working closely with the world’s leading scholars and scientists.
• Excellent Advising and Mentorship: Providing students excellence in mentorship is a core value of Hopkins graduate programs. VTSI scholars will work jointly under the guidance of outstanding STEM program faculty mentors and dedicated VTSI mentors, with whom VTSI scholars will meet regularly for individual check-ins and complementary advising, mentorship, and sponsorship, all dedicated towards ensuring that VTSI scholars thrive personally and professionally throughout their journey at Hopkins and beyond.
• Professional and Career Development Activities: The VTSI is fully committed to ensuring that as its scholars advance to take on the mantle of future leadership in STEM, they are able to do so in ways that fully align with their own individual life aspirations and are attentive to their own internal voice. In synergy with Hopkins STEM graduate programs, the VTSI will provide and support professional, career, and experiential life design opportunities to provide a robust foundation for VTSI scholars to soar in their future STEM careers.
• Community: Our Hopkins students are phenomenal in many ways—they do amazing science; their diverse histories, identities, and life journeys bring exceptional community and richness to the Hopkins space; and they are devoted in service to Baltimore, the broader national and global communities, and those coming in on the path behind them. VTSI scholars will belong to and be embraced within this outstanding community of scholars at Hopkins. They will also come together regularly for dedicated VTSI social and community activities that will extend across the entire course of the Vivien Thomas STEM PhD scholar’s journey at Hopkins.
• Benefits: Vivien Thomas PhD scholars will receive an annual stipend plus full tuition, health insurance, and other benefits.

Who should apply:

• Applicants who have attended a VTSI-eligible undergraduate institution.  Review the list of eligible MSIs .
• Applicants applying to an  eligible VTSI PhD program .

How to apply:

Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars Applicant Checklist:

• Confirm you have attended a VTSI-eligible undergraduate institution.
• Apply to an individual JHU PhD program.
• Complete the  VTSI Supplemental Application  materials.
• Submit both your JHU PhD application and all VTSI supplemental materials by December 1.
• Ensure your letters of recommendation are also submitted by December 1.

Timeframe: To be considered for the VTSI, you must complete and submit all components of the individual PhD program application  and the  VTSI supplemental components  by December 1. All supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, must also be received by December 1.

The Percy Pierre Doctoral Fellowships

Percy Pierre knows how it feels to be a pioneer; when he received his PhD at Johns Hopkins in 1967, he became the first African American in the nation to earn a doctorate in electrical engineering.

To honor this legacy, the Whiting School of Engineering has established the Percy Pierre Doctoral Fellowships. These   awards   recognize outstanding incoming graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds who will contribute both to the intellectual life of their departments and to that of the broader graduate community.

The fellowships will provide recipients with competitive monthly stipends, tuition, health insurance, and fees for the first two years of graduate school and access to a variety of special programming and mentoring opportunities

Eligible students will be considered automatically as part of their application.

More information

Siebel Scholarship

JHU Homewood’s program is one of few similar programs in the world recognized by the Siebel Scholars Foundation for groundbreaking research, excellence in education, and high caliber of students. JHU offers five single-year awards for students in bioengineering fields who are at the top of their class based on academic results (including research), demonstrate excellence in terms of leadership qualities in the school community and in experience prior to graduate program, and have completed at least one year at the school and are reasonably expected to have only one year remaining.

This is a limited submission scholarship, so direct applications from students are not accepted. You will need to submit your application through your department’s academic manager. Please refer to the Siebel Scholarship website for specific eligibility criteria and award provisions, as they may change from year to year.

Timeframe: The announcement (from your academic program manager) of the open application period usually happens in late May and all application materials are typically due to your department program manager mid-June. If awarded, the scholarship goes into effect the upcoming fall semester.

Computer Science Department (General Pool) Scholarship

This competitive scholarship is awarded to a prospective CS PhD student who has shown exceptional promise. The primary purpose of this scholarship is to provide an incoming student who possesses a broad set of interests the flexibility to work with multiple faculty members and lab groups in their first year. The scholarship includes full first-year tuition, fees, and stipend support for 12 months.

Incoming students cannot apply directly. This scholarship is awarded to a particular student based on the recommendation of the CS Department faculty and chosen by the CS PhD faculty admissions committee.

Computer Science Graduate Achievement Scholarship

The CS Graduate Achievement Scholarship is an internally funded scholarship intended to support annual cost of living expenses and provide funds for travel and accommodations as it pertains to the awardee’s professional development.

It is awarded to a newly admitted CS PhD student who has overcome significant socioeconomic barriers and/or is a first-generation graduate student. The recipient of the scholarship must remain in resident, full-time status and in good academic standing. So long as the student meets these criteria, they will receive the scholarship each academic year until their graduation from the CS PhD program.

Incoming students cannot apply directly for this scholarship. It is awarded to a particular student based on the recommendation of the CS department chair and the CS PhD faculty admissions committee. The scholarship may not be awarded every year.

Computational Cognition Vision and Learning (CCVL) Postdoctoral Fellow

The goals of the Computational Cognition Vision and Learning (CCVL) research group are to develop mathematical and computational AI models of vision and its relations to other cognitive abilities, including language. These models should ideally have the same abilities as humans, including the capability of building models of the 3D world. The CCVL group consists of 20–30 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

The CCVL group runs a summer internship program that involves 10–20 undergraduate interns. Postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to work with other research group members. The CCVL group has a strong record of publications at major conferences, including CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, ICLR, and NeurIPS, with twelve papers at CVPR 2022 and ten papers at ECCV 2022.

Timeframe:   Positions are available now with an initial appointment for one year, with the possibility of extension. If interested, contact Alan Yuille with an attached CV, statement of interest, list of selected publications, and the names of individuals who can provide recommendations.

Announcing the 2022 PhD Fellows

Sep 01, 2022

[[read-time]] min read

In 2009, Google created the PhD Fellowship Program to recognize and support graduate students who are doing exceptional research in Computer Science and related fields, and who are poised to shape the future of technology. Since our first awardee cohort 13 years ago, these PhD Fellowships have helped support 654 graduate students from around the world across Africa, Australia & New Zealand, East Asia, Europe, India, North America and Southeast Asia.

Over the past 14 award cycles, our PhD Fellows have made some incredible contributions to their fields, and today we're checking in with three of our past alumni.

• Flora Tasse — Head of CV/AR Research at Streem specializing in AI applied to Computer Graphics and Vision problems faced in AR/VR
• Minsuk Kahng — Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Oregon State University whose research focuses on designing and developing novel visual analytics tools for people to interpret and interact with machine learning systems that use massive datasets
• Nicolas Papernot — Assistant Professor of Computer Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Toronto whose research interests span the security and privacy of machine learning

What was your motivation to apply to the program?

Flora: I started my PhD with the mission to seize every opportunity to surround myself with the best in the field and broaden my horizons. I was on the lookout for Fellowships that could provide that, and help me make an impact in my area of research. When I heard about the Google PhD Fellowship, I was impressed with all the support that went well beyond the financial. I was initially hesitant to apply because it is such a prestigious program. Thankfully, I did submit my application and it is one the best things I have ever done for my career.

Minsuk: Receiving a Google PhD Fellowship is a great honor for computer science PhD students. I deeply appreciated that Google recognized my research. I was particularly interested in applying for Google’s Fellowship program because Google researchers have been actively conducting research on human-centered approaches to Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is something I’m passionate about. The program provided me with an exciting opportunity to interact with them.

Nicolas: At the time, there were very few people working on my research topic (adversarial examples) so I wanted to apply to the Google Fellowship to find mentors and colleagues to discuss my ideas with. The Fellowship was a great accelerator for my research because it allowed me to meet with a number of people who ended up shaping my understanding of machine learning. This increased the pace of my research and led me to discover new areas of research that I am passionate about.

What impact did the Google PhD Fellowship have on your career trajectory and on technology?

Flora: The Google PhD Fellowship was a turning point in my career. It not only validated the research work I was doing, but also gave me visibility and support that opened so many doors. Through this experience, I formed valuable collaborations and expanded my professional network which proved fruitful in building my career. Thanks to my internship at Google Zurich, I gained valuable insights into innovation and the productization of research. I currently apply my research skills at Streem, where we are making the phone's camera intelligent. Acquired by Streem, my start-up Selerio was building AI agents that could understand images/videos and augment them with relevant interactive objects. This technology made a tangible difference in remote collaboration between experts and consumers to solve product issues which was particularly impactful at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minsuk: The Fellowship has allowed me to have a wonderful career. Thanks to invaluable advice from my mentors at Google, I completed my PhD with a Dissertation Award from Georgia Tech. I have recently decided to join Google’s People + AI Research (PAIR) team after working as faculty for three years. I have been developing data visualization tools for people to interpret AI systems. Along with my colleagues at Google I’ve created and open-sourced GAN Lab , an interactive tool for people to learn the inner-workings of deep learning models. It significantly broadens people's education access to AI, as learners can use it just with their browsers without the need for specialized backend. I look forward to pursuing research that can help people everywhere.

Nicolas: The Google PhD Fellowship gave me a lot of freedom to pursue my own research ideas, spend time developing the CleverHans library , and collaborate with researchers at different universities and in other research communities. The opportunities I've had to work on differential privacy and machine learning with leading researchers at Google Brain were transformative to my career, and fundamental to bootstrapping my academic career at the University of Toronto and Vector Institute. During the program, I was able to implement privacy-preserving algorithms that are now used by product teams with lots of users. This was a great opportunity to have an immediate impact on technology. More generally, my research is by design seeking to understand the limitations of machine learning so that society can better trust it.

What advice do you have for current and future Google PhD Fellows?

Flora: Take advantage of the opportunities it provides, apply to Google internships, go to more conferences, collaborate and meet PhD Fellows in other fields. By becoming a Google PhD Fellow, you are joining a community of incredibly talented researchers and gaining influential mentors. As for the PhD, you will still go through the ups and downs of doctoral research. But it will be much easier as a Fellow. Stay the course. If you are an undergraduate considering a PhD pathway, invest energy and time in figuring out if there is a problem or a field that you care enough about to dedicate many years of your life to it.

Minsuk: My advice is to look for opportunities to cross the boundaries between disciplines. My work was made possible by collaborating with people across multiple research areas, such as information visualization, machine learning, human-computer interaction and databases. While research from different fields might seem unrelated at first, combinations of ideas can create unique research opportunities. Before starting my PhD, I conducted research on making recommendation algorithms more accurate, but found myself being much more motivated by different flavors of research. This experience led me to find my research direction and vigorously pursue it in my PhD.

Nicolas: I recommend that you do not optimize for short term rewards (like publishing papers) but instead focus on solving the problems that you find the most interesting. Research is often a random process and it is hard to predict what work will have an impact, so optimizing for short term rewards can quickly remove the “fun” out of doing research. While an undergraduate student, you have many opportunities to learn about topics that are diverse and possibly far away from the topic you will eventually choose to work on if you start a PhD. This breadth of knowledge will not only make you a more interesting person but help you in your research, because the most interesting research questions are often the ones that require an interdisciplinary approach to find an answer.

Announcing the 2022 Google PhD Fellows

Since 2009, the Google PhD Fellows have represented some of the best and brightest computer science researchers from around the globe, and we’re honored to support them as they make their mark on the world. Congratulations to all of this year’s awardees! See the complete list of Google PhD Fellowship recipients for 2022 .

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Aid for PhD Students

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) awards various types of fellowship aid to PhD students.  All newly admitted domestic and international PhD students will receive a 5-year fellowship offer, which may be a combination of a non-service fellowship (such as a Dean’s Fellowship), teaching fellowship, or doctoral research fellowship, depending on the department of admission.

The fellowship is contingent upon you maintaining Good Academic Conduct, maintaining Good Academic Standing, and making Satisfactory Academic Progress, as defined by your department and the Graduate School of Arts and Science.  This funding includes a full tuition scholarship, mandatory student fees, payment of the premium for BU’s basic Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP); and a stipend as described in your admission offer letter. Detailed information about the fellowship awards and the policies and privileges associated with each award can be found below.

PhD Fellowships

Non-service fellowships.

• Dean’s Fellowships
• Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship
• Whitney M. Young Jr. Fellowship
• Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship
• Trainee Fellowships
• Various prestigious departmental fellowships.

Non-service fellowships provide a stipend and scholarship for exceptional students to focus primarily on their degree coursework with no departmental research or teaching responsibilities. Students awarded non-service fellowships are required to enroll in a full load of academic courses as determined by the department.

* International students may have 14% withheld in taxes.  Refer to our Tax FAQs .

Teaching Fellowships

A Teaching Fellowship provides a stipend and a full scholarship and an opportunity for graduate students to gain classroom experience under the close supervision of the faculty members who have the formal responsibility for the courses to which the teaching fellows are assigned. Your obligation in this fellowship would include instructional duties assigned by your department. Instructional and other duties total approximately 20 hours per week.

* Service stipends are considered earned income for tax purposes and the University will withhold and report the earnings per IRS guidelines. Refer to our Tax FAQs .

Doctoral Research Fellowships

Doctoral Research Fellowships provide a stipend and scholarship for exceptionally qualified students in return for research work done for the department. Your obligation in this fellowship will include research duties assigned by your department that total no more than 20 hours per week.

Additional Funding Opportunities

Summer funding, bloom dissertation fellowships.

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) is pleased to announce the creation of the Bloom Dissertation Fellowships. These fellowships have been created thanks to the generous estate gift of CAS alumnus, Laurence A. Bloom (DGE’66, CAS’68). These competitive Fellowships are designed to provide summer funding to GRS doctoral students in the social sciences and the humanities, who will be in their final summer prior to graduating, enabling them to focus on completing their dissertation. 

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, a doctoral student must: 

• Be enrolled in a program in the humanities or social sciences, or if outside these two divisions, use social science methods in their research (e.g. in Earth & Environment or Economics) 
• Not already receive 12 months of support 
• Be completing their degree in December 2024 or Spring 2025

This fellowship provides up to four months of funding, at a monthly rate of $3,283.38 (summer 2024 rate).

Application Portal

InfoReady: https://bu.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1921991

Application

To apply for this fellowship, students must submit via InfoReady:

• A cover letter describing how this opportunity would help them advance their dissertation research and/or writing. The letter should also indicate how many months of support the applicant is requesting (up to four months; and funding will not be given for any time that is covered through other sources of funding).
• A current CV

Additionally, the following will be requested (and submitted by the respective person via InfoReady).

• A letter of recommendation from their dissertation advisor indicating their support of the candidate’s application.
• A letter of support from the department chair or program director, and confirming that the candidate does not already have 12 months of funding—from internal and/or external sources.

Applications are due via InfoReady by   11:59 PM ET   December 1, 2023   for summer 2024. All supporting letters will be due by 11:59 PM ET December 8, 2023. A committee will review all applications and notify awardees in January.

Graduate Internship Funding Program (GIF)

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce a new internship funding pilot program, GIF. This is aimed at helping GRS PhD students receive a stipend for an otherwise unpaid summer internship. This summer, only applications for Massachusetts-based internships will be considered.

Please see below for eligibility and application  requirements.

Summer 2024 InfoReady Application Portal: https://bu.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1931792

Applications are due by April 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET . We highly recommend submitting it before the deadline as you may experience delays on the site.

Required Application Materials (in PDF format, submitted via InfoReady)

-Cover Letter: This personal statement should share how this internship aligns with the applicant’s professional goals and what they hope to gain from the experience. 250-1000 words.

– Current CV

– 1 letter of recommendation (from the applicant’s current BU Faculty Advisor)

– Copy of the internship offer letter (scanned email offers are also acceptable as long as the organization and their contact information is clearly communicated).

Social Science PhD Internship Program

Together, the Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs, the Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and the Center for Innovation in Social Sciences are pleased to provide stipend-supported summer internships aimed at introducing PhD students in Social Sciences fields (including PhD students in Anthropology, History, Political Science and Sociology in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences) to career opportunities at institutions beyond academia. Interns will bring to their roles the array of skills developed during their PhD training, including research and writing and area-based expertise.

Internships will run for approximately 10 weeks. Interns will serve in their roles for no more than 20 hours per week and will receive a $7,000 stipend.

Applications include a CV, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.

Application Portal: https://bu.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1896928 

Applicants should request recommendations through this portal; please allow adequate time for your recommenders. Applicants will be evaluated in terms of their academic accomplishments (including degree progress) and the appropriateness of their professional goals for this program.

Please note that in the application you will identify your first and second choice internship. You will be asked to explain both choices.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM ET, April 12 th , 2024

Interns are required to furnish a final written report about their experience. Interns will also participate in a larger Summer PhD Internship cohort through the Professional Development and Postdoctoral Affairs Office.

If you have questions, please contact Nico Quesada ( [email protected] ), Program Associate for the Society of Fellows and Graduate Professional Development.

2024 Sites:

• The Coalition for Transformational Education
• Partners in Health
• The Center for Mind and Culture
• BU School of Public Health – Health Equity Research Lab

PhD Summer Internships in the Humanities

The Office of the Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs and the BU Center for the Humanities (BUCH) are pleased to offer stipend-supported summer internships aimed at introducing PhD students in humanities fields to career opportunities at institutions beyond academia. These internships receive generous support from the Demir Sabanci (CAS’ 93) Experiential Learning in the Humanities Fund.

Learn more at the BUCH Internship Website: https://www.bu.edu/humanities/opportunities/graduate-opportunities/phd-internships/

Campagna-Kerven Fellowship

The Fellowship: The Campagna-Kerven Graduate Fellowship, endowed by a bequest from Madame Susanne Campagna, provides a fellowship to a PhD student in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences whose doctoral dissertation deals substantially with an aspect of modern Turkey. This includes Turkish culture, society, politics or economics in the 20 th or 21 st century. The Fellowship includes a non-service stipend of $34,147.50 which is paid from August through May (10 monthly payments), health coverage at the basic level, and all necessary fees.

Eligibility: The fellowship is open to PhD students in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences who are defining or preparing their dissertation. Preference will be given to students who have passed all qualifying exams and are either preparing their dissertation prospectus or have had their prospectus approved by the faculty of their program. The dissertation must focus, at least in part, on some aspect of modern Turkey which is defined as the Republic of Turkey or the Turkish people and culture in the 20 th or 21 st century. A student awarded the fellowship may not hold another fellowship simultaneously.

Applications: Applications consist of a two-page description of the dissertation project together with a letter of support from the student’s supervisor/first reader that comments on the significance and feasibility of the project.

Deadline:  Applications for the 2024-2025 fellowship should be submitted via the InfoReady portal by 11:59 PM ET April 19, 2024 . Letters of Support will be due by April 22, 2024. Selection will be made by a committee of GRS faculty by early May.

InfoReady Link: https://bu.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1936221  

Newman Fellowship

The Fellowship:   The Henry S. Newman Graduate Student Fellowship, endowed by Mr. Newman in honor of his daughter Dori Newman (CAS ’69), provides a fellowship to a PhD student in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences whose dissertation focuses on some aspect of immigration to America.  Mr. Newman immigrated to America following World War II after having survived two years in a concentration camp.  The Fellowship includes a non-service stipend of $34,147.50 which is paid from August through May (10 monthly payments), health insurance coverage at the basic level, and all necessary fees.

Eligibility:   The Fellowship is open to PhD students in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences who are preparing their dissertation.  Students must have passed all qualifying exams and had their dissertation prospectus approved by the faculty of their program.  The dissertation must focus on some aspect of immigration to America.  A student awarded the fellowship may not hold another fellowship simultaneously.

Applications:   Applications consist of a two-page description of the dissertation project together with a letter of support from the student’s supervisor/first reader that outlines the significance and feasibility of the project.

Deadline:   Applications for the 2024-2025 fellowship should be submitted via the InfoReady Portal  by 11:59 April 19, 2024 .  Letters of Support will be due by April 22, 2024. Selection will be made by a committee of GRS faculty in early May.

InfoReady Link: https://bu.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1935194 

Graduate Research Abroad Fellowships (GRAF)

The GRAF I cycle is now closed. Students can view their applications on InfoReady: https://bu.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1919096  

GRAF II Cycle applications are now being accepted via InfoReady: https://bu.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1921844 until 11:59 PM on February 5, 2024 .

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences has established a fellowship program, the Graduate Research Abroad Fellowship (GRAF) , to support foreign-based research by doctoral students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences whose field-based or archival research requires an extended period of residence in another country or countries.  

GRAF awards may not be used for foreign-based study or training such as acquiring language skills, equipment, personal expenses not related to the GRAF proposal, or for attending professional conferences. GRAF awards are non-service and are in addition to a student’s 5 year funding package. They cannot be used during a semester where the student receives a teaching or research fellowship.

There are two kinds of Graduate Research Abroad Fellowships:

• The Short-term GRAF supports travel and living costs during a period of study abroad up to, but not exceeding, 3 full months. For trips taken during the academic year when students will normally be supported by another fellowship, up to $4,000 in travel costs can be provided. For trips during the summer (June 1 through August 31) a fellowship can provide up to $6,000.
• The Long-term GRAF enables a student to spend an extended period (4 or more months/at least a full semester) of foreign-based field or archival research. It provides up to $16,250 to cover living, travel, and research expenses.  A Long-term GRAF also provides Continuing Study Fees and the cost of participation in the basic BU student health plan for the time the student is abroad.

Fellowships will be awarded to students nominated by their departments and recommended by a faculty committee.

• Applicants should have completed their prospectus and other doctoral program requirements except the dissertation by the time the proposed project is scheduled to begin . An exception to this may be made in disciplines where travel would be necessary to complete the prospectus, however this can only apply to short-term GRAF proposals.
• Applicants must be registered as BU GRS PhD students. For help with initiating a continuing student registration for students who will not be registering for classes, please contact your Department Administrator.
• Applicants must not have a conflicting teaching or research fellowship . For example, if a student receives a TA fellowship in Fall 2023, then they should not be traveling during that semester. Additionally, a student should not have a research fellowship during their semester of travel.
• A pplicants must disclose other forms of funding for their research, and if they previously received a GRAF or GRUF award. This also includes pending applications to other grants or fellowships related to their GRAF project. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification for that cycle.

GRAF Cycles and Travel

GRAF I (previously Fall GRAF)

• Student InfoReady Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM November 1, 2023
• InfoReady Portal: https://bu.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1919096  
• Departmental Acknowledgement and Letter of Reference Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM November 17, 2023
• For travel that begins on or after February 1, 2024.
• Decisions made by mid-December, 2023

GRAF II (previously Spring GRAF)

• InfoReady Portal: https://bu.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1921844
• Departmental Acknowledgement and Letter of Reference Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM February 19, 2024
• For travel that begins between June 1, 2024 and March 1, 2025
• Decisions made by early March 2024.

Application Process (GRAF I Cycle)

Phase I : Interested students will submit their application via InfoReady by 11:59 PM on November 1, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted. This will include:

• GRAF Budget Template
• If approval is not granted before the application deadline, a copy of the email to IRB is admissible, however applicants will not be awarded funds until IRB approval is received. 
• An unofficial transcript (A screenshot from the StudentLink is preferred)
• A letter of recommendation from the student’s advisor (this will be due on November 17th and will be submitted via a link sent by InfoReady)
•  Describes the problem or question that the proposed research will address, links it to existing scholarship on the topic, and shows why the research will best allow for you to to answer or illuminate it. Remember that the review committee has a broad membership across disciplines.
• Includes a proposed timeline for the project along with travel locations.
• Clearly discloses all other forms of funding received or being applied to for the project. (Failure to do so can result in your award being rescinded should you be selected).
• A disclosure of previous GRUF or GRAF support received and why the applicant should receive additional GRAF funding.

Phase 2 : Submitted applications will then be routed to the student’s home department/program and Director of Graduate Studies (or equivalent faculty member) to be considered for nomination. Departments will need to approve or deny nominations via InfoReady by 11:59 PM on November 17, 2023. They will also need to include a filled and signed copy of the GRAF DEPT Acknowledgement Form .

Phase 3: Nominated students will then be reviewed by the GRAF Committee with award decisions being made by mid-December 2023. Decisions will be sent via an InfoReady email to all applicants and their department administrators.

Departmental Phase 3 Submissions

There is no limit on the number of short term GRAF proposals that a department/program can advance to Phase 3; however, only a maximum of 3 long-term GRAF proposals per department/program will be considered .

Please note that preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received a GRAF or GRUF award.

GRAF Award Terms

In order to receive a GRAF stipend, students must be registered as BU GRS students for the semester of their project travel. 

Failure to disclose other forms of research funding can result in the loss or reduction of the GRAF award.

All students awarded GRAF will need to submit the following upon completion of their travel:

• A one page summary detailing what they accomplished and recommendations for future GRAF recipients. 
• A copy of flight receipts.

Failure to travel within a year from the award letter date will result in the GRAF being rescinded.  If an extension or adjustment is needed, please email [email protected]  

GRAF Award Disbursement

GRAF funds will be disbursed to awardees by the Graduate School of Arts and Science upon request. Please send an email with your signed award letter, updated travel dates, and BUID to [email protected] to request disbursement. Please note that it can take up to two weeks for funds to be disbursed, so please plan accordingly.

For any questions regarding GRAF, please contact the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Financial Aid team at [email protected] .   Please include your BU ID in all correspondence.  

Graduate Research in the United States Fellowship (GRUF)

The GRUF I cycle is now closed. Students can view their applications on InfoReady: https://bu.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1919241  

GRUF II cycle applications are now being accepted via InfoReady: https://bu.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1921854 until 11:59 PM on February 5, 2024

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences has established a fellowship program, the  Graduate Research in the United States. Fellowship (GRUF) , to support research by GRS PhD and MFA students whose field-based or archival research requires travel to and a period of residence in another city/state within the United States. This fellowship is open to GRS PhD and MFA students whose research needs additional sources of funding. GRUF awards may not be used for foreign-based study or for attending professional conferences. GRUF may be used for other research or professional opportunities (such as a field school or workshop).

GRUF awards are non-service and are in addition to a student’s 5 year funding package.

There are two kinds of GRUF fellowships :

• The  Short-term GRUF supports travel and living costs during a period of study outside of Massachusetts, but not exceeding, 3 full months. The award for a short-term GRUF is up to $6,000. Short-term GRUF can be used for shorter research trips.
• The  Long-term GRUF enables a student to spend an extended period (4 or more months/at least a full semester) of United States-based field or archival research outside of Massachusetts. It provides up to $16,250 to cover living, travel, and research expenses.  A Long-term GRUF also covers Continuing Study Fees and the cost of participation in the basic BU student health plan for the time the student is traveling.
• Applicants must be registered as BU GRS PhD or MFA students. For help with initiating a continuing student registration for students who will not be registering for classes, please contact your Department Administrator.
• Applicants must not have a conflicting teaching or research fellowship . For example, if a student receives a TA fellowship in Fall 2023, then they should not be traveling during that semester. Additionally, a student should not have a conflicting research fellowship during their semester of travel.
• Applicants must disclose other forms of funding for their research, and if they previously received a GRUF or GRAF award. This also includes any pending applications for grants or fellowships related to their GRUF project. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification for that cycle.

GRUF Cycles and Travel

• InfoReady Portal: https://bu.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1919241
• InfoReady Portal: https://bu.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1921854

Application Process (GRUF I Cycle)

• GRUF Budget
• If approval is not granted before the application deadline, a copy of the email to IRB is admissible, however applicants will not be awarded funds until IRB approval is received.
• Describes the problem or question that the proposed research will address, links it to existing scholarship on the topic, and shows why the research will best allow for you to answer or illuminate it. Remember that the review committee has a broad membership across disciplines.

Phase 2 : Submitted applications will then be routed to the student’s home department and Director of Graduate Studies to be considered for nomination. Departments will need to approve or deny nominations via InfoReady by 11:59 PM on November 17, 2023. They will also need to include a filled and signed copy of the GRUF DEPT Acknowledgement Form

Phase 3: Nominated students will then be reviewed by the GRUF Committee with award decisions being made by mid-December 2023. Decisions will be sent via an InfoReady email to all applicants and their department administrators.  

There is no limit on the number of short-term GRAF proposals that a department/program can advance to Phase 3; however, only a maximum of 3 long-term GRAF proposals per department/program will be considered .

GRUF Award Terms

In order to receive a GRUF stipend, students must be registered as BU GRS PhD/MFA students for the semester of their project travel.

Failure to disclose other forms of research funding can result in the loss or reduction of the GRUF award.

All students awarded GRUF will need to submit the following upon completion of their travel:

• A one-page summary detailing what they accomplished and recommendations for future GRUF recipients.

Failure to travel within a year from the award letter date will result in the GRUF being rescinded. If an extension or adjustment is needed, please email [email protected]

GRUF Award Disbursement

GRUF funds will be disbursed to awardees by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences upon request. Please send an email with your signed award letter, updated travel dates, and BUID to [email protected] to request disbursement. Please note that it can take up to two weeks for funds to be disbursed, so please plan accordingly.

For any questions regarding GRUF, please contact the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Financial Aid team at [email protected] .   Please include your BU ID in all correspondence.  

GSO Travel Grants

Twice a year, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Organization (GSO) accepts applications for travel grants. The GSO offers two types of awards :

• Presentation travel grants : For students planning on directly participating in a conference or research forum by presenting a paper or poster, participating in a discussion panel, or chairing a discussion or paper session.
• Research travel grants : For students planning to visit an archive, attend a training workshop, or use a research facility.

For instructions, application, and more details please visit the GSO website .

Additional details and policies

Stipend payments.

For information regarding your stipend payments, please visit our Stipends FAQ page.

Tax Information

For information regarding your stipend and taxes, please visit our Tax Information FAQ page.

Cost of Attendance

For a breakdown of the tuition and fees for an academic year at Boston University as a student in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences as well as an estimated cost of attendance, please visit our Cost of Attendance (COA) page.

Tuition Scholarships

Your PhD funding includes a qualified tuition scholarship as defined in 26 USC Section 117(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code; it is contingent upon you maintaining Good Academic Conduct , maintaining Good Academic Standing , and making Satisfactory Academic Progress ; it is not contingent upon your appointment as a teaching or research fellow and is not taxable to you as the recipient.

Your fellowship covers the cost of tuition for up to 18 credits per semester, as long as they are required by your degree or are necessary for your research (with approval from your DGS and advisor).  It does not cover the cost of courses that are not required (ex: Physical Education (PDP) course ).  The tuition for 11 or less credits is calculated on a per credit rate; whereas the cost for 12-18 credits is a flat fee. For example:

• If a student enrolls in 14 credits that are degree requirements, then adds 1 to 4 credits that do not count towards their degree (ex: a Physical Education (PDP) course ), and the total credits does not exceed 18, the additional 1 to 4 credits will not generate an additional tuition charge.
• If this student (who has 14 credits of degree requirements plus 1 to 4 credits that do not count towards their degree) decides to drop a 4-credit degree requirement, this leaves only 10 credits of degree requirements and only this 10 credits will be covered by scholarship.  In this case, the student will be responsible for the payment of the additional 1 to 4 credits (ex: a PDP course). Please keep this in mind when adding and dropping any of your courses.

Each semester, once you have registered, you will need to make sure your student account is “settled” by the semester’s payment deadline .  Please log in to the MyBU Student Portal and click on the “Money Matters” tab to view your charges & credits once you have finalized your spring registration.

You may have receive an automated email (“e-bill”) from Student Accounting Services (SAS).  SAS sends out automated email notifications to all undergraduate and graduate students (and may apply late fees) as most students at Boston University are not in a fully funded PhD program and are therefore responsible for payment.  While GRS PhD students should never ignore emails from SAS, as there could be a legitimate reason for the balance ( Physical Education (PDP) course , sports pass, convenience points, MBTA pass, something that is not covered), they do not need to worry about any late fees if all we had to do is adjust their scholarship.

GRS generally applies the same amount of scholarship to the fall and spring semesters assuming the student will continue to enroll in the same number of credits in both semesters.  Once the initial scholarship has been applied, we wait until the end of the spring semester’s add/drop period (mid-October/late February) to manually reconcile everyone’s registration and scholarship.  The majority of our PhD and MFA students will continuously add and drop classes over a six-month period which is the reason why our office waits until the end of the add/drop period before we start reconciling any scholarships.  You may email us at [email protected] as soon as you have finalized your course selection for the semester so that we can adjust your scholarship right away.   Please include your BU ID when emailing our office.

If you have questions about your student account, your scholarship, stipend, or insurance credit, please contact GRS Financial Aid at [email protected] (and include your BU ID).  Please note that Student Accounting Services, the Payroll Office, Student Employment, and the Registrar do not have any information regarding students’ funding or fellowship.  Please contact GRS Financial Aid instead.

Payment Deadlines

Payment/Settlement Procedures

Sports Pass

Students who enroll full-time (or are certified full-time) are automatically enrolled in the Sports Pass each year.  The Sports Pass is not a membership to the University’s FitRec Center (that’s already included in your Health & Wellness Fee and it is covered by your fellowship).  The Sports Pass costs $140 per year and it allows you admission to all home events at the Agganis Arena.  The cost of the Sports Pass is not covered by your fellowship.  For individualized information regarding your Sports Pass, or to cancel your sports pass prior to September 1, visit the  MyBU Student Portal and go the Money Matters tab.  To cancel your Sports Pass after September 1, please bring your BU ID card to the Agganis Arena Ticketing Office to ensure your Sports Pass has not been used.  For additional questions regarding the Sports Pass and the charge on your account, please contact the Agganis Arena Ticket Office at 617-353-4628.

Health Insurance

As part of your fellowship award, the University will cover the cost of your individual participation in the Boston University Basic Student Health Insurance Plan ($3,280 in AY23-24). Students who opt to purchase the Boston University Student PLUS Plan ($4,403 in AY23-24) will be responsible for payment of the difference in the premium amount ($1,123 in AY23-24) by the payment deadline for the Fall semester. Please refer to  Student Health Services for more information. The University will not cover any health insurance costs for dependents. Family coverage is available at an additional cost to the student.

Health insurance coverage extends from August 15, 2023 through August 14, 2024 for students who are enrolled in the Fall semester 2023. Please note that coverage takes effect once fall registration has been processed or on August 15, whichever is later.

Students who are required to have health insurance are automatically enrolled in the Boston University Basic Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

Who is required to have health insurance?

Under the laws of Massachusetts, the following students are required to participate in a qualifying health insurance plan:

• Students certified as full-time
• Students who are registered for 75% or more of a full-time course load (nine or more credit hours for most schools)
• International students (students who are not U.S. citizens and who do not have approved refugee or permanent resident status)

Part-time students are not automatically enrolled but can request to be enrolled. If a student wishes to waive the insurance, a health insurance waiver form must be submitted. For more information about insurance coverage and deadlines for enrollment/waivers, please consult  Student Health Services .

Graduate students receive an insurance credit of half the cost ($1,640 in fall 2023/$1,640 in spring 2024) in each semester that they receive a stipend of at least $5,000 (refer to insurance credit info for service stipends and non-service stipends ). Students who do not receive a stipend of at least $5,000 in both fall and spring may be responsible for the payment of any remaining balance by the payment deadline . Students who graduate in January or who go part-time in spring can enroll in fall only coverage before December 31; in this case, the coverage will end on December 31 but they will not have to pay the full annual premium.

For questions about your insurance credit, please email GRS Financial Aid at [email protected] (and include your BU ID).  For questions about enrollment in student health insurance, please contact the Student Health Insurance Team at [email protected] .

Dental Care

Students have the option to purchase Dental Care through the University, which is not included in the fellowship award.

Residency Requirement

Boston University requires PhD students and MFA students with fellowship support to be present on campus unless their research or fieldwork requires them to be elsewhere. This requirement is in place to ensure that students can focus on their full-time studies and regularly engage with faculty members. Those pursuing a PhD or MFA with fellowship support from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences must live in the Boston region during the semester(s) in which they receive GRS support, and they are expected to participate in departmental and University activities. Students who leave the Boston region outside of required research or fieldwork during their first five years may forfeit their guaranteed fellowship funding. We understand that students may have personal reasons to leave the area, but such arrangements often violate policies and laws that prohibit payments. Students beyond their fifth year of study who leave the Boston region will not be eligible for fellowship, unless required to be elsewhere for their research or fieldwork.  All teaching fellows must be in residence.

Employment Policy

The purpose of fully supporting our graduate students is to allow them to engage wholly in their scholarly work and to devote the attention necessary to complete their studies in a timely fashion. We expect that you will not be employed outside of Boston University during semesters in which you receive GRS support. The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences policy limits the amount of additional work that may be assigned to graduate students in any semester when they are appointed to a Teaching, Graduate Research, or Non-Service Fellowship. For this reason, we expect students to devote no more than 20 hours per week to their assigned fellowship activity.  For this same reason, students are not eligible to hold a Resident Assistant (RA) position, a Graduate Resident Assistant (GRA) position, or a Graduate Housing Assistant (GHA) position with Residence Life. While we occasionally permit PhD & MFA students to hold additional assignments, this is an exception and requires advisor and administrative approval (refer to Student Work Hours for Employment at Boston University Policy ). Under this policy, such fully funded students may be employed as graders or other similar positions for additional payment only under the following conditions:

• The assignment provides the student with an opportunity for professional growth in teaching and/or in expert knowledge of course topics or research; and
• The assignment does not exceed five (5) hours/week averaged over the semester; and
• The payment is set up as a weekly salary.

Vacation Policy for PhD Students

The University’s policy is that all PhD students receiving stipend support are entitled to paid vacation time.  Please refer to the University’s Policies page.  International students who want to travel internationally should contact Boston University’s International Students and Scholar’s Office (ISSO) to make sure they are able to leave and return to the U.S. without any issues.

Good Academic Conduct

All students at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences are expected to maintain high standards of academic honesty. It is each student’s responsibility to be aware of the content of the GRS Academic Conduct Code , which can be found on the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences website.

Please note: The GRS Academic Conduct Code is distinct from Good Academic Standing ( Master ’ s , PhD ) requirements and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Please see the relevant Bulletin pages for additional information about those policies.

Good Academic Standing

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences requires graduate students to maintain Good Academic Standing in order to remain enrolled in their graduate program and/or to retain GRS scholarship and/or fellowship support. The GRS criteria for Good Academic Standing are as follows:

• Have no more than two failing or W grades.
• Meet all milestones of the degree, such as comprehensive exams, qualifying exams, and dissertation prospectus, on the schedule specified by the program.
• Meet all milestones of the degree with sufficient quality of work as specified by the program.
• Satisfactorily fulfill all service fellowship obligations, as specified by the program.

Please note: Good Academic Standing is distinct from Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and the GRS Academic Conduct Code . Please see the relevant Bulletin pages for additional information about those policies.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Fellowships will continue for the duration of the five-year commitment if the student is making satisfactory academic progress each year, confirmed by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

The GRS minimum standard for Satisfactory Academic Progress is:

• Maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher
• Have no more than 2 failing grades (lower than B- or an incomplete grade older than 12 months) and/or W grades
• Pass all milestones of degree, such as comprehensive exams, qualifying exams and dissertation prospectus, on the schedule specified by the program
• Pass all milestones on the degree with sufficient quality of work as specified by the program
• Satisfactorily fulfill their service fellowship obligations as specified by the program

Google PhD Fellowship

• Biological Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
• Social Sciences
• Spring Quarter (April-June)
• Early graduate school
• Research Grant
• Must be nominated to apply
• No citizenship requirements

Friday, April 12, 2024 at 5pm Central

The university is limited to four nominations each year for the Google PhD Fellowship. Applicants must apply by the internal deadline to be considered as a university nominee.

Download the Google PhD Fellowship application form and instructions.

Submit completed applications to the fellowships team at UChicagoGRAD ([email protected]).

Google PhD Fellowships directly support graduate students as they pursue their PhD, as well as connect them to a Google Research Mentor. The Google PhD Fellowship Program was created to recognize outstanding graduate students doing exceptional work in computer science and related research areas.

In the United States, Canada, and Europe, accredited PhD granting institutions in Computer Science or related fields may nominate up to four eligible students during the application period. The fellowship offers:

• 2 year Fellowship with opportunity to extend to 3rd year
• Full tuition and fees (enrollment fees, health insurance, books) plus a stipend to be used for living expenses, travel and personal equipment
• Google Research Mentor

The university will nominate students that meet the following requirements:

• Full-time graduate students pursuing a PhD and enrolled in an institution in the U.S.
• Completed graduate coursework by the academic award year when the Fellowship begins.
• Students must remain enrolled full-time in the PhD program for the duration of the Fellowship or forfeit the award.
• Google employees, and their spouses, children, and members of their household are not eligible.
• Students that are already supported by a comparable industry award are not eligible. Government or non-profit organization funding is exempt.

Google PhD Fellowship students are a select group recognized by Google researchers and their institutions as some of the most promising young academics in the world. The Fellowships are awarded to students who represent the future of research in the following fields:

• Algorithms, Optimizations and Markets
• Computational Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Machine Learning
• Machine Perception, Speech Technology and Computer Vision
• Mobile Computing
• Natural Language Processing (including Information Retrieval and Extraction)
• Privacy and Security
• Programming Languages and Software Engineering
• Quantum Computing
• Structured Data and Database Management
• Systems and Networking

Fellowship Website:

Fellowship Contact:

Your information has been submitted. Thanks!

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Nationally Competitive Graduate Fellowships

Fellowships below are just a few of the many options that exist – this is NOT an exhaustive list. Please make sure to search the databases listed on the previous page for even more funding options.

The majority of fellowships have deadlines from October – January and require institutional nomination/assistance.

LEGEND: (M) = Master’s (D) = Doctoral/PhD candidates;  Awards open to most programs unless designated “STEM”

Please click the headers to organize the table differently, if desired.

“*” indicates eligibility to international students

Funding for biomedical research and innovation

Phd studentships and doctoral fellowships.

A PhD is a postgraduate research degree, usually lasting three or four years, if undertaken full time. It involves independently conducting original and significant research in a specific field and is normally assessed by a written thesis and oral examination.

Funding options available

Alzheimer’s Research UK: PhD scholarships Funding to undertake a PhD involving biomedical research in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Applications are made by the prospective supervisor. Funding: Stipend plus tuition fees and research/travel costs Duration: 36 months

Alzheimer’s Society: PhD studentships Funding to undertake a PhD involving biomedical research in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Applications are made by the prospective supervisor. Funding: Up to £85,000 (£91,000 for London) Duration: Three years

British Heart Foundation: Non-clinical PhD studentships Funding to undertake a PhD in cardiovascular science. Applications are made by the prospective supervisor. Funding: Stipend, tuition fees, consumables Duration: Three years

British Heart Foundation: Four-year PhD programme Funding for research organisations to provide a PhD studentship programme in cardiovascular research. Career stage: Prospective students should apply to individual research institutions Funding: Student stipend, tuition fees, research consumables Duration: Four years

MRC: Studentships Find out more about how MRC funds and supports PhD students at universities and MRC units, institutes and centres.

National Centre for the Replacement Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research: PhD studentships Funding to undertake a PhD studentship relevant to any area of medical, biological or veterinary research which supports the development and application of the 3Rs. Funding: Cash-limited award of £30,000 pa (£90,000 total over three years) Duration: 36 months

National Institute for Health Research: Doctoral fellowships Funding to undertake a PhD in an area of NIHR research. Funding: Fully funded including current salary Duration: 36 months with p/t options

Last updated: 6 July 2022

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Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship

Region: Global

For eligible students at universities globally pursuing research aligned to Microsoft Research areas of focus.

Update : Microsoft Research has paused our call for proposals/nominations for the 2023 calendar year. We are exploring new avenues to invest in our academic partnerships and bring together students and researchers to collaborate, share knowledge, and pursue new research directions.

To learn more about the recently announced Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows program , uniting eminent scholars and experts to collaborate on research at the intersection of AI and society, visit our program page .

The Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship is a global program that identifies and empowers the next generation of exceptional computing research talent. Microsoft recognizes the value of diversity in computing and aims to increase the pipeline of talent receiving advanced degrees in computing-related fields to build a stronger and inclusive computing-related research community. We currently offer PhD fellowships in Asia-Pacific, Canada and the United States, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), Latin America, Australia and New Zealand.

Over the last two decades, the Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship program has supported over 700 fellows around the world, many of whom have gone on to work at Microsoft. Others have gone on to perform pioneering research elsewhere within the technology industry or accept faculty appointments at leading universities.

See your region for details, instructions, and answers to common questions.

• Asia-Pacific
• Australia & New Zealand
• Canada & United States
• Middle East
• Latin America

We are always looking for the best and brightest talent and celebrate individuality. We invite and encourage candidates to come as they are and do what they love.

The Microsoft Research 2022 Global PhD Fellowship recipients were announced in October 2022. Meet all the 2022 PhD Fellowship recipients on our “ 2022 Fellows ” page or hear about what this opportunity means to a few PhD fellows from around the globe below.

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PhD Fellowships

Supporting Future Leaders in STEM

The Future of STEM

We are dedicated to building programing that supports the future leaders in STEM and improves representation across gender, race, and ethnicity.

PhD Fellowship

Two Sigma’s PhD Fellowship is open to all doctoral students who are expanding frontiers in a STEM field such as statistics, applied mathematics, computer science, and physics.

Partnered Fellowship

We offer partnered fellowship opportunities to accredited universities and colleges in the United States to foster greater inclusivity in academia. We are actively seeking partnerships with institutions to establish fellowships for doctoral students who are members of historically underrepresented groups.

Program Details

• Fellowship recipients will receive an award for two consecutive Academic years (not to exceed $75,000 USD per Academic year) to cover tuition and fees plus a stipend for living expenses, paid directly to the university. 
• Fellowship recipients will also receive a one-time award of $10,000 USD paid to the Fellowship recipient directly which, as a condition of the fellowship, may only be used for tuition, fees required to enroll at or attend their university, and/or books, supplies, equipment, and course-related fees for courses at their university.
• A Two Sigma Research Mentor will be assigned to the Fellowship recipient.
• Applications must be on behalf of full-time students currently pursuing a PhD at an accredited university in the United States.
• Students must be in at least their 3rd year of a PhD program when the Fellowship begins (fall semester or quarter 2024).
• Statistics – Topics of interest include: statistical learning, statistical inference, Bayesian statistics, optimization, time series analysis, high dimensional statistics, non-parametric statistics.
• Computer Science – Topics of interest include: machine learning & artificial intelligence, deep learning, reinforcement learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, computational biology
• Physics –Topics of interest include: applications of machine learning, simulation and big data techniques to physics, including particle physics, astrophysics, condensed matter.
• Applied Mathematics – Topics of interest include: linear / nonlinear optimization, numerical analysis, financial mathematics, operations research, probability,  differential equations, signal processing.
• Finance/Econometrics – Topics of interest include: machine learning & empirical asset pricing, game theory, market microstructures, agent based models, behavioral finance, quantitative finance, volatility modeling and forecast, optimal execution, portfolio optimization, derivatives modeling, high frequency econometrics, theoretical asset pricing dynamic equilibrium models, stochastic models, option pricing, credit risk modeling, asset covariance estimation, inference, high-dimensional data, financial optimization-optimal execution, portfolio optimization, optimal hedging.
• Two Sigma employees, contractors/consultants, and relatives are not eligible.
• Students that are already supported by another industry fellowship are not eligible. Government or non-profit organization funding is exempt.
• Students must be nominated by the Chair of their department or a designated doctoral faculty member.
• All application materials, aside from letters of recommendation, must be submitted on behalf of the nominated student by a faculty or staff member from their department.
• Applicants must submit their student’s 500 word (max) research proposal, listing the student’s main area of focus, relevance to the field and its applicability to Two Sigma. This word count does not include resources/listed references. Please submit as a .PDF file with the title: “Student Last Name, Student First Name Research Proposal”.
• Applicants must include a current version of the student’s resume, ensuring that a current email, phone number and mailing address are included. Please submit as a .PDF file with the title: “Student Last Name, Student First Name Resume”.
• Two letters of recommendation are required for each student– one must be from their current academic advisor, and the other must be from a professor in the department or related department who is familiar with their research.
• Applicants must submit their student’s Academic transcripts (PhD Graduate degree only-all years). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Please ensure the transcript you submit is not password protected. Please submit as a .PDF file with the title: “Student Last Name, Student First Name Transcript”.
• After submitting your application, an email from Two Sigma will automatically be sent to your two provided referrals requesting they submit their letter of recommendation through a separate link and portal. Ask your referrals to check their spam and/or junk inboxes as our emails requesting their letter of recommendation may be flagged as spam. Please notify your referrals to expect this email prior to submitting your application. Your referrals can submit their letters of recommendation until 11:59pm ET on November 17, 2023. 
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• All nominations and application materials for the Two Sigma PhD Fellowship must be submitted electronically via online application. This link will be available on the website until 11:59pm ET on November 3, 2023 . Applications are now closed.

Evaluation Process

In selecting a recipient, Two Sigma evaluates candidates in the following areas

Research Proposal

Letters of Recommendation

Academic Performance

This is a carousel that shows a linear process. Navigate using the forward and back arrows, or jump to a new slide by clicking the header of a slide.

Applications Open

Applications for the fellowship will become available on the Academic Partnership website on September 1 .

Faculty, staff, or the department chair will be able to upload their student’s research proposal, resume, letters of recommendation, and academic transcripts through 11:59pm ET on November 3 . References have until 11:59pm ET on November 17 to submit their letters of recommendation.

Applications Close

Applications will close 11:59pm ET on November 3 . Reference have until 11:59pm ET on November 17 to submit their letters of recommendation. At that time all inputted information will be considered final and no further changes will be permitted.

Finalists Interviewed

Finalists will be notified of their selection for interview in early February.

Candidates Notified

Following careful evaluation by a panel, winners will be notified of their selection in March.

Recipients Announced

Recipients will be announced on the Two Sigma website and social channels in mid-April.

PhD Fellowship Recipients

To see a full list of runners up and past recipients, click here .

William Merrill

PhD Fellowship Recipient

Yinlin Deng

Jason Milionis

PhD Fellowship Runner-up

What is the application process and timeline?

The faculty nomination process and online application period begins on September 1, 2023 and remains open until 11:59pm ET on November 3, 2023.   Referrals have until 11:59pm ET on November 17, 2023 to submit their letters of recommendation. Fellowship awards will be decided by March 2024 .  Fellowship recipients and their universities will receive an email and a letter of congratulations in March/April 2024. Applications are now closed. 

Are students able to apply directly for a Fellowship?

All nominations for the Two Sigma PhD Fellowship must be submitted by the designated faculty member or staff member electronically via this link in order to be considered for the Fellowship. The application link will be available on the website until 11:59pm ET on November 3, 2023. Applications are now closed. 

How many students from a specific department can be nominated?

A maximum of six nominations per department will be accepted. As one of the goals of the Two Sigma PhD Fellowship is to increase opportunities for students underrepresented in technology, we strongly encourage that nominations include dimensions of diversity that remain under-represented in technology.

Are students studying at universities located outside of the United States eligible to apply?

Unfortunately, no. The Two Sigma PhD Fellowship is reserved for PhD students who are currently enrolled in an accredited university in the United States.

Are Two Sigma PhD Fellowship recipients and applicants eligible for internships and full-time employment at Two Sigma?

Yes, Two Sigma PhD Fellowship recipients and applicants are welcome to apply for internships and/or full-time opportunities at Two Sigma.  However, doing so is not required, nor is employment guaranteed, as part of the Fellowship program.

Do I need to be a PhD student to apply?

Yes. You must be in at least the 3rd year of a PhD program in a relevant discipline when the Fellowship commences in the Fall semester/quarter of 2024 to be eligible for the Two Sigma PhD Fellowship.

Who can provide letters of recommendation?

Two letters of recommendation are required for each student– one must be from their current academic advisor, and the other must be from a professor in the department or related department who is familiar with their research. The second letter may come from a professor at a different university from the student, but this university must be located in the United States.

How are the Fellowship awards distributed?

Payment of the Fellowship award is made as follows:  (i) an award for two consecutive Academic years (not to exceed $75,000 USD per Academic year) will be paid directly to the university per university guidelines and policies; and (ii) a one-time award of $10,000 USD will be paid directly to the Fellowship recipient, subject to the conditions specified above. If the Fellowship recipient is no longer eligible to receive funding pursuant to their university’s guidelines and policies, for example if they transfer to a different university or graduate program, the Fellowship award may cease.  The Fellowship award will also be subject to agreement between Two Sigma and the university, and Two Sigma and the recipient, regarding the terms of the Fellowship award, and any applicable university guidelines and legal and compliance restrictions.

Who will review the fellowship application materials?

Application materials will be reviewed by senior researchers from across Two Sigma covering a number of disciplines.

What are the intellectual property implications of a Two Sigma PhD Fellowship?

Fellowship recipients are not subject to any intellectual property restrictions with Two Sigma. If the fellowship recipient becomes an intern or employee of Two Sigma, then they would be subject to the same intellectual property restrictions as any other Two Sigma intern or employee.

What are the tax implications of a Two Sigma PhD Fellowship?

Two Sigma does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors.

If you have any questions regarding the Two Sigma PhD Fellowship, please contact us at [email protected] .

April 9, 2024

Emory University’s graduate and professional schools and programs continue to be ranked among the best in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Graduate Schools, which was released April 9.

The annual list uses data, surveys and other information to rank programs in schools of nursing, public health, business, law and other areas. The publication has delayed releasing rankings for medical schools, engineering schools and clinical psychology programs because of concerns with the data.

Here are the Emory schools included in this year’s national rankings:

The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing master’s program ranks 1st in the nation. The school’s doctor of nursing practice program is 6th.

The Rollins School of Public Health ranks 3rd in the nation.  In the category of public health programs, U.S. News issued rankings for several master’s programs: biostatistics (5th), environmental health science (3rd), epidemiology (4th), health policy and management (8th) and social behavior (3rd). 

Goizueta Business School’s full-time MBA program ranks 18th. The Executive MBA program is 13th and the part-time program is 20th.

The School of Law ranks 42nd in the nation. Multiple programs within the school also received rankings including business/corporate law (22nd), constitutional law (25th), contracts/commercial law (21st) and health care law (21st).

The Laney Graduate School awards all PhDs at Emory in partnership with faculty located in various schools and departments across the university. Among doctoral science programs, computer science is 64th.

In U.S. News’ rankings of nursing master’s programs, Emory’s nurse practitioner, adult/gerontology, primary care is 3rd ; nurse practitioner, adult/gerontology, acute care is 4th; and family nurse practitioner program is 4th.

In rankings of Emory’s doctor of nursing practice programs, adult gerontology/acute care is 4th; adult gerontology/primary care is 3rd; family practice 5th; and nurse administration management 6th.

Each school may have additional information about rankings issued to specific programs. Not all graduate and professional programs are ranked annually.

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4 duke cs students receive 2024 nsf graduate research fellowships, april 10, 2024.

Four Duke CS students received NSF Graduate Research Fellowships :

• Jonathan Donnelly , who worked with Cynthia Rudin and will pursue a PhD in Machine Learning at Duke.
• Jabari Kwesi worked with Pardis Emami-Naeini and will pursue a PhD in Human Computer Interaction at Duke.
• Megan Richards is a recent Duke ECE-CS grad who plans to pursue a PhD in ML. She worked with Mark Sendak at DIHI and Ricardo Henao of Duke ECE.
• Ruoyu (Roy) Xie worked with Bhuwan Dhingra and will pursue a PhD in Natural Language Processing at Duke.

Congratulations to all!

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PhD student receives fellowship from Apple Scholars program

Nataliya Nechyporenko, a computer science Ph.D. student, has received a PhD fellowship in AI and Machine Learning (AIML) through the Apple Scholars program . The program was created by Apple to recognize the contributions of emerging leaders in computer science and engineering at the graduate and postgraduate level. 

The fellowship provides Nechyporenko support for her research and academic travel for two years, internship opportunities and a two-year mentorship with an Apple researcher. 

Let's learn more about Nechyporenko's research aims and her perspective on the future of robotics research: 

What research do you hope to accomplish through this fellowship?

Think about how you might manually feel around an object to understand its shape, weight, and texture. Or if something is in your way, you'd just push it aside without overthinking it. If you drop something, you'll persistently keep trying to pick it up from different angles until you get it. As you're doing these everyday tasks, you're constantly building up an intuitive sense of your surroundings through trial-and-error. That's the kind of resourceful, flexible, multi-sensory approach I want robots to have when manipulating things – rather than just blindly following a fixed routine. 

The goal is for robotic arms to move and behave with that same kind of curious, improvisational, problem-solving spirit we take for granted as humans. As an Apple AIML scholar, I hope to gain insights into this problem with the help of a fresh network of mentors and collaborators.  

Is this an extension of work you are already doing in your lab? If so, how?

Driven to establish contact-rich planning as a dominant feature in robotics, I focused the first two years of my PhD on analyzing the methods used by state-of-the-art planners and solving the shortcomings leading to the lack of physical robot interaction. 

I have started to extend this work by integrating the empirical formulation of machine learning with model-based algorithmic approaches. I believe this is the path to making robots more adaptable to chaotic human environments. I will continue this work as an Apple scholar. 

What do you think of the current hype around AI and ML? What do you wish people understood about this research area?

The AI and machine learning hype trains have been barreling full steam ahead lately. But robotics? That's an entirely different beast that doesn't follow the overnight disruption narratives. It's a synergy of achievements in areas like materials, manufacturing, sensing, controls theory, and others aligning to reshape the physical world. 

The robotics future will reshape industries and labor concepts, but it will be catalyzed through the patient advancement of many disciplines.

How did you come to study at CU Boulder?

I spent a couple years in the trenches, getting my hands dirty actually building and deploying robots in industry. But after a while, I got this craving -- like there was so much more potential waiting to be unlocked if I could really dive into the deep scientific questions around robotics. That's why I decided to take the plunge back into academia.

What is one of your plans or hopes for the future, either professionally or personally?

I hope to be an expert, a leader, a thinker and a builder. Outside of research endeavors, I aim to be a leader and educator for the robotics and the AI community. Previously, I’ve led volunteering activities, mentored students, and co-organized events that foster discussions around AI. I hope to continue to do so in the future at a larger scale. 

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National Science Foundation (NSF) Announces 2024 Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Awardees

Five ccs student awardees, six honorable mentions for renowned fellowship.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the 2024 Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) awardees. Five current and past College of Creative Studies (CCS) students were selected for the fellowship and six current CCS students received honorable mentions. In total, there were sixteen fellowship recipients and fifteen honorable mentions from UC Santa Barbara. The College community congratulates these future trailblazers as they pursue endeavors aimed at positively impacting society! 

2024 CCS Student Awardees: 

—Mikolaj Godzik ‘23 (CCS Biology)

—Tyler Nelson Tachibana Pennebaker ‘19 (CCS Physics)

—Graham Sharp ‘23 (CCS Physics)

—Charles Nicholas Thrift ‘22 (CCS Biology)

—Ashley Yeh ‘24 (CCS Biology)

2024 CCS Student Honorable mentions:

—Ricardo Isaac Espinosa Lima ‘22 (CCS Biology)

—Vivian Hoang ‘22 (CCS Biology)

—Sriram Vish Ramamurthy ‘22 (CCS Biology)

—Luca Vito Di Raimondo Scharrer ‘22 (CCS Physics)

—Marina Ivaylova Stoilova ‘23 (CCS Biology)

—Guy Wilks ‘24 (CCS Computing) 

"The College of Creative Studies is thrilled to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our current and past students who have been awarded the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. These fellowships really highlight the creativity and dedication of our students and as these amazing scholars embark on their graduate studies, we are confident that they will make contributions that exemplify the spirit of innovation and discovery that defines us here in CCS. Congratulations!" —Timothy Sherwood, CCS Interim Dean

Experiential learning is at the center of student learning at CCS, including preparing our students for those interested in pursuing scholarly endeavors. The College recognizes the vital role that its faculty play in mentoring its curious and passionate students with 70 percent of those in STEM majors pursuing advanced degrees at the masters and doctoral levels, according to a past alumni survey. CCS Biology Faculty John Latto and Claudia Tyler lead an annual colloquium on navigating the graduate school application process, including information about the GRFP. In addition, previous recipients of the GRFP have been invited to return to campus to inspire and share their journeys with current students considering applying.

The GRFP is a distinguished fellowship program that supports outstanding graduating seniors and early-stage graduate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields who intend on pursuing research-based masters and doctoral degrees and show potential for significant research achievements. As the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the GRFP has a legacy of selecting recipients who go on to achieve significant research achievements in their academic and professional endeavors.

Fellows receive a three-year annual stipend and a cost-of-education allowance covering tuition and fees to conduct research at any accredited U.S. institution offering graduate education. In addition, these fellows have opportunities for international research and professional development. These NSF Fellows are anticipated to become leaders in STEM research, education, and innovation. 

Again, congratulations to the 2024 awardees! CCS invites NSF GRFP recipients and others who went on to scholarly endeavors to return to the College to share their graduate experiences with current students.

These are the best graduate school programs in Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World

Top graduate schools in Wisconsin landed on the latest U.S. News & World Report list ranking more than 2,000 programs across the country. U.S. News & World Report published its 2024-'25 report in April, ranking graduate programs in business, education, law and nursing, among other fields.

University of Wisconsin-Madison's the School of Education tied for first overall with Teacher's College, Columbia University, according the report. That's up from third overall and second among public universities last year.

Several of Marquette University's graduate programs moved up on the list, including the master's program in the College of Nursing, which moved up from 66 to 58.

Schools were evaluated based on expert opinion and statistical data measuring the quality of the school's faculty, research and post-graduate outcomes. You can find the full list on the U.S. News website for graduate rankings on their website www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools .

Top business graduate programs in Wisconsin:

• University of Wisconsin-Madison: #43

Top law graduate programs in Wisconsin:

• University of Wisconsin-Madison: #36 (tie)
• Marquette University: #68 (tie)

Top nursing graduate programs in Wisconsin:

• Marquette University: #58 (tie)
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: #82 (tie)
• University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: #107 (tie)
• University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh: #118
• Alverno College: #119 (tie)
• Milwaukee School of Engineering: #153-169

Top medical graduate programs in Wisconsin:

• University of Wisconsin-Madison: #35 (tie)

Top education graduate programs in Wisconsin:

• University of Wisconsin-Madison: #1 (tie)
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: #169 (tie)
• Marquette University: #192

Top Engineering graduate programs in Wisconsin:

• University of Wisconsin-Madison: #27 (tie)
• Marquette University: #142 (tie)
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: #177 (tie)

RELATED: Here's how Wisconsin universities ranked in the 2024 Best Colleges list