Fellowship Opportunities
Opportunities that prospective or admitted students can apply to
These opportunities are open for students to apply directly. These opportunities apply to a variety of students from master's, Ph.D.'s, first yeas, and students already in the program.
Opportunities that prospective or admitted students can apply to
The Madison and Lila Self Memorial Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that recognizes outstanding seniors from the University of Kansas who will be transitioning into their first year of a master’s or doctoral degree program at KU in the fall semester. This scholarship award provides each recipient with $10,000 for their first year, with half payable to the student at the beginning of the first semester of enrollment in the graduate program (fall/$5,000), and half payable at the beginning of the second semester of enrollment (spring/$5,000). In addition to funding, Self Memorial Scholars have access to a $1,000 professional development award and participation in a Scholar Development Program to orient scholars and enhance their vision of potential professional careers.
Self Memorial Scholarship | Madison & Lila Self Graduate Programs (ku.edu)
Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership. Eligible students can apply to join the Sloan Scholars Mentoring Network and receive financial support.
The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) is a consortium of higher education institutions that seek to transform graduate STEM education in ways that support the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, values, and experiences; that allow scholars to address issues relevant to Indigenous communities; that improve student outcomes and promote a sense of belonging in graduate STEM degree programs; and that prepare students to pursue STEM professions in and beyond the professoriate.
The SIGP model includes activities in four key areas of graduate education: recruitment and admission, mentoring and sponsorship, community-building, and student funding. Undergraduate partner institutions contribute to the expansion and strengthening of pathways to graduate degrees. Foundation-supported scholarships for SIGP Sloan Scholars are a key feature of the program. Grant funds are used as “top-off” dollars, with campuses providing a full financial package to both M.S. and Ph.D. students. Beyond the graduate degree, alumni engagement takes place through a partnership with the Sloan Scholars Mentoring Network housed at the Social Science Research Council.
https://sloan.org/programs/higher-education/sloan-indigenous-graduate-partnership
Supports fellowships for outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time, research-based masters and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering or math or STEM education.
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. The GRFP provides three years of support over a five-year fellowship period for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM or STEM education. NSF actively encourages submission of applications from the full spectrum of diverse talent that society has to offer which includes underrepresented and underserved communities.
NSF GRFP was established to recruit and support individuals who demonstrate the potential to make significant contributions in STEM. NSF especially encourages applications from undergraduate seniors and Bachelor's degree-holders interested in pursuing research-based graduate study in STEM. First- and second-year graduate students in eligible STEM fields and degree programs are also encouraged to apply.
https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/grfp-nsf-graduate-research-fellowship-program
Opportunities for which the department may nominate a student
The EEB Department nominates students every year, from among their applicants for graduate studies, for these awards; or confers the awards directly in some cases. The past record of EEB students in receiving the awards is extremely strong.
Opportunities for which the department may nominate a student
The Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship at the University of Kansas is a community of doctoral student leaders who have been nominated and selected to receive four years of financial and professional development support. The Self Graduate Fellowship is a merit-based program made up of doctoral students from 22 eligible academic fields. It is a unique opportunity for doctoral students at KU to fund their education and acquire valuable leadership training for their future careers. Throughout their time as a fellow, students receive funding that covers their tuition, fees, graduate research assistantship (GRA), and the employer's portion of student health insurance. In order to prepare students for their future leadership roles, fellows are active participants in the professional development program - attending professional development workshops, communication coaching, luncheons, and guest lectures that are provided to them through the Self Graduate Fellowship. Each student is also awarded a set amount of funding to allow them the freedom to pursue other professional development opportunities, such as conference attendance and certificates.
Self Graduate Fellows are some of the top doctoral student researchers at KU. Students who are selected to join the fellowship have demonstrated that they have the skills, initiative, career goals, and passion to make a difference in the future of their field, and society as a whole. Learn about student eligibility and how to be nominated for the fellowship by visiting our Fellow Eligibility page.
Self Graduate Fellows are selected for their vision, career goals, and achievements. They are able to set and attain goals, show leadership potential and motivation, and possess a strong work ethic. Self Graduate Fellows demonstrate initiative, passion for achievement and lifelong learning, and make a commitment to participate in the Fellow Development Program.
Self Graduate Fellows for 2024-2025 will receive annual support of $36,000 for four years. Payment is through an appointment as a graduate research assistant. The fellowship covers tuition, fees, and the employer's share of student health insurance costs. Over the four years, fellows have access to a $5,500 professional development award, a $5,000 start-up award (year 1), and a $1,000 textbook and technology award (year 2,3,4). All fellows actively participate in the Fellow Development Program. The total value of the four-year doctoral fellowship exceeds $200,000. The 47 current Self Graduate Fellows are among 224 students who have benefited from the fellowship since it was established in 1989.
Self Graduate Fellowship | Madison & Lila Self Graduate Programs (ku.edu)
Established in 2013 by Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, the Chancellor's Doctoral Fellowship (CDF) support departments in the recruitment of the very best and most talented graduate students to study at the University of Kansas. This prestigious fellowship recognizes students who exemplify the Chancellor’s values for doctoral education, including academic excellence, research productivity, an ability to communicate the value of their research to a broad audience, and a vision for leadership within the Fellow’s field of study.
The Chancellor's Doctoral Fellowship (CDF) is awarded annually to outstanding students seeking a doctorate at the University of Kansas. The Chancellor’s Office and the Office of Graduate Studies make it possible to provide each fellow a four-year award, which provides a 12-month Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) appointment, full coverage of tuition and fees, and payment of the employer’s share of health insurance costs. The Chancellor’s Doctoral Fellowship employs a cohort model, welcoming four new fellows each year.
For the 2025-2026 cohort, the Chancellor’s Doctoral Fellowship (CDF) starts in the fall semester and provides selected fellows with an annual $33,365 stipend for four years, in addition to tuition, fees, and a 75% subsidy of the student health insurance plan premium. Tuition support averages $10,000, bringing the fellowship package to over $42,500.
The University Graduate Fellowship (UGF) provides a $26,000 stipend for one year and sponsorship of up to nine (9) hours of tuition, course, and technology fees during the fall and spring semesters. Tuition support averages $8,300, bringing the total fellowship package to over $34,000. The fellowship is disbursed as a 9-month GRA appointment at 0.50 FTE. No summer appointment/tuition funds are available through this fellowship.
Departments and programs are required to provide support at the same level as the University Graduate Fellowship, ideally, or at a level comparable to 3G appointments in the unit for the following four (4) subsequent years of the student's program.
The Bernadette Gray-Little Fellowship recognizes the contributions and commitment of Chancellor Gray-Little to graduate education during her service to the University of Kansas. The fellowship provides financial support to outstanding students in the first year of their doctoral programs at the University.
The Bernadette Gray-Little Fellowship (BGL) is awarded annually to an outstanding student seeking a doctorate at the University of Kansas. The fellow receives a 5-year award with the first year funded through the Office of Graduate Studies, while the remaining four years of the fellow's doctoral program are funded by their academic department.
For the 2025-2026 cohort, the Bernadette Gray-Little Fellowship (BGL) starts in the fall semester and provides the selected fellow with a $26,906 stipend for one (1) year and sponsorship of up to nine (9) hours of tuition, course fees, and technology fees during the fall and spring semesters, as well as a 75% subsidy of the student health insurance plan premium. Tuition support averages $8,300, bringing the total fellowship package to over $35,200.