phd scholarship vs fellowship

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What is the difference between a fellowship and a scholarship.

Fellowship funding is usually awarded for doctoral research based on the various specialized areas. It is merit-based, but generally not need-based. Fellowship funding is generally discretionary for student awardees to use as they see fit to support themselves while pursuing graduate study. They often come with a stipend.

Scholarship are usually based on merit and are sometimes need-based. They usually must be applied directly to tuition and directly related expenses, and do not include stipends.

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Fellowship vs. Scholarship: What’s the Difference?

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• Scholarships and fellowships help college students cover their expenses.
• College students can apply to 5 million scholarships worth $24 billion every year.
• Scholarships support all students, while fellowships typically fund graduate students.
• Fellowships generally offer more money than scholarships.

Students use all sorts of financial aid to pay for college, including grants, scholarships, loans, and fellowships. But what is a scholarship exactly? What is a college fellowship? And what's the difference between the two?

Scholarships and fellowships make it easier for students to afford college. But these two forms of financial aid differ in key ways. Understanding these differences can ensure you maximize your aid and limit student debt.

What Is a Scholarship?

Every year, college students apply to 5 million scholarships worth a total of $24 billion. But what is a scholarship exactly?

Scholarships provide free money to undergraduate and graduate students. Unlike loans , which borrowers must repay, scholarships never need to be repaid. Need-based and merit-based scholarships award free money to recipients, with most covering a single academic year.

A variety of organizations offer scholarships . State and federal governments also award scholarships, as do colleges and universities. Professional associations, businesses, private donors, and foundations may hold scholarship competitions as well.

Grants , like scholarships, provide free money for college; however, grants are more likely to come from government agencies and require proof of financial need.

What Is a Fellowship?

Much like a scholarship, a fellowship provides financial support for students with no repayment requirement.

Unlike scholarships, though, most fellowships support graduate students . A small number of undergraduate fellowships exist, but more commonly a fellowship funds master's and doctoral students.

Additionally, compared to a scholarship, which typically offers a set amount of aid for a single year, a fellowship often covers tuition costs and provides a monthly stipend.

While many organizations offer scholarships, fellowships normally come from colleges and universities, government agencies, and foundations.

For example, Fulbright Fellowships support grad students conducting research abroad. The Jacob K. Javits Fellowship funds graduate students in the arts, humanities , and social sciences , while the National Science Foundation awards graduate research fellowships to students in STEM fields .

A fellowship differs from an assistantship. Graduate assistants, such as teaching assistants (TAs) and research assistants, take on professional responsibilities in exchange for funding. TAs, for example, teach courses and grade assignments. Fellowships do not usually come with any work requirements.

Fellowship vs. Scholarship: 5 Key Differences

Fellowships and scholarships share some similarities, one being that they both provide free money to degree-seeking students. But they also differ in several key ways.

While a majority of undergraduates receive a grant or scholarship, this funding generally does not cover the full cost of college. Most private scholarships award less than $4,000 per year. As the Washington Post reported in 2018, just 0.2% of students received $25,000 or more in scholarship money, according to 2015-16 data.

Even though over 1.5 million college students received scholarships during the 2015-16 academic year, according to the Washington Post, the average amount awarded per student was under $4,000.

In contrast, fellowships can offer a substantial amount of money. At Cornell, for instance, graduate fellowships provide $28,500-$33,000 in annual funding , depending on the department. Meanwhile, Northwestern guarantees a minimum stipend of over $35,000 a year for doctoral students on top of a tuition waiver.

Scholarships support both undergraduate and graduate students. Fellowships, in contrast, generally fund graduate students. While master's students may qualify for certain fellowships, many fellowships specifically fund doctoral students.

How Do Fellowship vs. Scholarship Applications Differ?

Fellowships and scholarships also differ in terms of their application processes. Students may only need to submit one application for scholarships and fellowships offered by their institution. For other fellowship and scholarship applications, students complete a sometimes lengthy application process.

Professional associations, businesses, and foundations that award scholarships set their own eligibility criteria and application requirements. Applicants may need to meet specific criteria and possess a particular major, intended career path, or background. Many scholarships consider factors like community service, leadership, and financial need.

Fellowships offered by the government or foundations may require multiple steps. Applicants often must submit material like a personal statement, letters of recommendation , and a research statement. The fellowship committee may even conduct interviews to award funding.

The process can take months. For example, Fulbright applicants submit their materials between March and October. The national selection committee reviews candidates and notifies those moving on to the second round by January. Recipients may receive notification as late as May, or a year after submitting their application.

Students looking into financial aid options should consider both scholarships and fellowships. Make sure to set aside time to review eligibility guidelines and complete all required application materials.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fellowships and Scholarships

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Can you have a fellowship and a scholarship at the same time?

Yes, students can hold a fellowship and win a scholarship at the same time. However, institutions may deduct the scholarship amount from the fellowship funding. Students should contact their financial aid office or department for more information.

Are there undergraduate fellowships?

While undergraduate fellowships are less common than graduate fellowships, they do exist. Undergraduates may qualify for summer fellowships, undergraduate research fellowships, or fellowships granted by foundations.

Who awards fellowships for graduate students?

Graduate fellowships typically come from three sources: colleges and universities, government agencies, and foundations. For example, the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of State, and the National Science Foundation each award research fellowships to graduate students.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute professional financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should contact a professional advisor before making decisions about financial issues.

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You may have heard other students talk about applying for a scholarship or a fellowship and wondered what the difference is between the two. Scholarships and fellowships are forms of financial aid , but they aren't exactly the same thing. In this article, we'll explore the difference between fellowships and scholarships so that you can learn what each type of aid means for you.

Scholarships Defined

A scholarship is a type of funding that can be applied to educational costs, such as tuition, books, fees, etc. Scholarships are also known as grants or financial aid. There are many different types of scholarships. Some are awarded based on financial need, while others are awarded based on merit. You can also receive scholarships from random drawings, membership in a particular organization, or through a contest (such as an essay competition).

A scholarship is a desirable form of financial aid because it does not have to be paid back like a student loan. The amounts awarded to a student through a scholarship could be as little as $100 or as high as $120,000 on up. Some scholarships are renewable, which means that you can use the scholarship to pay for your first year of undergraduate school and then renew it in your second year, third year, and fourth year. Scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate level study, but scholarships are typically more plentiful for undergraduate students.

Scholarship Example

The National Merit Scholarship is an example of a well-known, longstanding scholarship for students seeking an undergraduate degree. Each year, the National Merit Scholarship Program awards scholarships worth $2,500 each to thousands of high school students who achieve exceptionally high scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) . Each $2,500 scholarship is issued through a single one-time payment, meaning the scholarship cannot be renewed each year.

Another example of a scholarship is the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship . This scholarship is awarded to high school students with financial need and a record of academic achievement. Scholarship winners receive up to $40,000 per year to put towards tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees. This scholarship can be renewed each year for up to four years, making the entire award worth up to $120,000.

Fellowships Defined

Like a scholarship, a fellowship is also a type of grant that can be applied to educational costs such as tuition, books, fees, etc. It does not need to be paid back like a student loan. These awards are usually geared toward students who are earning a master's degree or doctorate degree . Although many fellowships include a tuition stipend, some of them are designed to fund a research project. Fellowships are sometimes available for pre-baccalaureate research projects but are more commonly available to graduate-level students who are performing some form of post-baccalaureate research.

Service commitments, such as a commitment to complete a particular project, teach other students, or participate in an internship, may be required as part of the fellowship. These service commitments may be required for a specific period of time, such as six months, one year, or two years. Some fellowships are renewable.

Unlike scholarships, fellowships are not usually need-based. They are also rarely awarded at random to contest winners. Fellowships are typically merit-based, which means you must demonstrate some form of achievement in your chosen field, or at the very least, demonstrate potential to achieve or do something impressive in your field.

Fellowship Example

The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans is a fellowship program for immigrants and children of immigrants who are earning a graduate degree in the United States. The fellowship covers 50 percent of tuition and includes a $25,000 stipend. Thirty fellowships are awarded each year. This fellowship program is merit-based, meaning that applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to, or at least a capacity for, accomplishment and contributions in their field of study.

Another example of a fellowship is the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE NNSA SSGF) . This fellowship program is for students who are seeking a Ph.D. in science and engineering fields. Fellows receive full tuition for their chosen program, a $36,000 yearly stipend, and an annual $1,000 academic allowance. They must participate in a fellowship conference in the summer and a 12-week research practicum at one of DOE's national defense laboratories. This fellowship can be renewed annually for up to four years.

Applying for Scholarships and Fellowships

Most scholarship and fellowship programs have an application deadline, which means that you must apply by a certain date to be eligible. These deadlines vary by program. However, you typically apply for a scholarship or fellowship the year before you need it or in the same year that you need it. Some scholarship and fellowship programs also have additional eligibility requirements. For example, you may need a GPA of at least 3.0 to apply or you may be required to be a member of a particular organization or demographic to be eligible for the award.

No matter what the program requirements are, it is important to follow all of the rules when submitting your application to increase your chances of success. It is also important to remember that many scholarship and fellowship competitions are competitive—there are a lot of people who want free money for school—so you should always take your time to put your best foot forward and submit an application that you can be proud of. For example, if you have to submit an essay as part of the application process, make sure that the essay reflects your best work.

Tax Implications of Fellowships and Scholarships

There are tax implications that you should be aware of when accepting a fellowship or scholarship in the United States. The amounts that you receive may be tax-free or you may be required to report them as taxable income.

A fellowship or scholarship is tax-free if you will be using the money you receive to pay for required tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment for courses at an academic institution where you're a candidate for a degree. The academic institution you are attending must conduct regular educational activities and have a faculty, curriculum, and body of students. In other words, it has to be a real school.

A fellowship or scholarship is considered taxable income and must be reported as part of your gross income if the money you receive is used to pay for incidental expenses not required by the courses you need to take to earn your degree. Examples of incidental expenses include travel or commuting expenses, room and board, and optional equipment (i.e., materials that are not required to complete the necessary courses).

A fellowship or scholarship is also considered taxable income if the money you receive serves as a payment for research, teaching, or other services that you must perform in order to receive the scholarship or fellowship. For example, if you are given a fellowship as payment for your teaching one or more courses at the school, the fellowship is considered income and must be claimed as income.

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Fellowships vs. scholarships vs. grants: what is the difference.

When pursuing a graduate degree, understanding the various funding options is crucial. Scholarships, grants, and fellowships play distinct roles in supporting students financially. Scholarships recognize academic excellence, grants address financial need, and fellowships offer specialized opportunities. Let’s explore each type in detail to help you make informed decisions about funding your graduate education.

Fellowships provide financial support for pursuing a graduate degree. They often relate to short-term opportunities for study or research in a specific field.  While scholarships and grants are more common, fellowships offer unique experiences and may include research stipends, travel allowances, or other benefits.

Scholarships for graduate students are typically awarded based on academic and professional achievements. They can come from schools, nonprofit organizations, or private companies.These awards do not need to be repaid and are often merit-based

Grants are awarded based on financial need rather than past achievements. They can come from federal or state sources, as well as nonprofit organizations. As a graduate student, you may be eligible for grants that help cover tuition, fees, and living expenses. Unlike loans, grants do not require repayment.

In summary, scholarships recognize achievement, grants address financial need, and fellowships offer specialized support for graduate students. Exploring these options can help you reduce the burden of student loans and make your graduate education more affordable

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The PhD Student’s Guide to Fellowships

A start-to-finish guide to help you land the perfect fellowship. Thousands of fellowships at your fingertips…

Search hundreds of top schools for the doctorate YOU want.

PhDs.me Staff

Last updated

Feb 16, 2023

When pursuing a PhD, you have so many factors to consider: the college you attend, the faculty within it, the degree and its value, and, perhaps most important of all: the cost. It’s no secret that graduate school can have a hefty price tag, but what may fly under the radar are all the scholarship, grant, and fellowship opportunities available to students on the doctoral track.

This guide is all about fellowships. It covers the types of fellowships out there, explains how they work, provides key steps to landing one, and includes a list of the 25 best places to find the right fellowship for you. Learn what it takes to get the fellowship you need to make your PhD more affordable.

The 25 Best Places to Find PhD Fellowships

Each year, PhD students apply for and earn thousands of fellowships to fund research projects, dissertations, and other doctoral-level studies in their chosen fields. While this is great news, too many graduate students miss out on tremendous funding opportunities for one major and painfully unnecessary reason: they don’t know where to look. They may be aware of two or three fellowship listings, or their advisor may steer them toward an internal directory, but there’s so much out there to explore, from other colleges, the government, and private foundations across the United States. To help you find the fellowship you need to pay for your PhD, here are 25 of today’s best directories, listings, and search tools to put thousands of fellowships at your fingertips.

Colleges & universities:

Columbia University’s fellowship search: Nearly 200 fellowship opportunities available and searchable by keyword: https://ogp.columbia.edu/urf/opportunities/search

Duke University: Duke’s funding opportunities database houses nearly 1,100 fellowships available to PhD students in dozens of subject areas: https://researchfunding.duke.edu/search-results

MIT Finding Fellowships: More than 100 fellowships listed in architecture and design, science and engineering, environment and energy, humanities, and policy research. They also have an extensive list of fellowships specific to women and underrepresented minorities: https://sfs.mit.edu/graduate-students/guide/finding-fellowships/

Rutgers University Grad Fund page: An interactive keyword and filtering search tool with hundreds of fellowships listed. The tool allows you to drill down by award level, degree level, program, citizenship, stage of study, and activity: http://gradfund.rutgers.edu/advanced-search/

Stanford University Fellowships, Internships and Service Programs (FISP) Database: A searchable database with an estimated 500 fellowships: https://haas.stanfo rd.edu/students/fisp

UC Davis’s external fellowship database: 180 fellowships searchable by awarding agency, discipline, and funding type. (predoctoral or postdoctoral): https://ogp.columbia.edu/urf/opportunities/search

UCLA’s graduate funding page: Contains ~150 graduate and postdoc funding opportunities for both UCLA and non-UCLA students. Amounts range from less than $1,000 to more than $100,000: https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/

University of Chicago Fellowship Database: One of the fullest and most comprehensive fellowship databases available: https://grad.uchicago.edu/fellowships/

University of Illinois – Urbana Champagne’s Fellowship Finder: One of the most comprehensive and user-friendly databases out there, it contains more than 1,000 external fellowships for PhD students to peruse: https://app.grad.illinois.edu/fellowship/

University of South Carolina’s Fellowships and Scholar Programs: Contains 189 fellowships categorized by academic areas, areas of interest, student standing, and year for funding: https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/fellowships_and_scholar_programs/national_fellowships/competitions_and_deadlines/index.php

USC’s Awards and Fellowships Database: https://awardsdatabase.usc.edu/

Yale University’s Searchable Database: This database has unique search options that allow you to narrow down fellowships by type, e.g. research, tuition support, study abroad, and more: https://yale.communityforce.com/Funds/Search.aspx

Private foundations:

American Association of University Women (AAUW): https://www.aauw.org/what-we-do/educational-funding-and-awards/

American Psychological Association (APA): The APA offers a range of fellowships and scholarships for graduate students. Of course, all fellowship opportunities reside in psychology and related fields: https://www.apa.org/apf/funding/scholarships/index.aspx

Fastweb: An annotated list of more than two dozen prestigious fellowships for PhD students across multiple subjects and backgrounds: https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/prestigious-scholarships-and-fellowships

Ford Foundation Fellowship Program: Awarded to qualifying students in research-based PhD and ScD programs in the sciences, engineering, and medicine: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/pga/fordfellowships/index.htm

H-Net: Has a searchable database of fellowships specific to the humanities and social sciences: https://networks.h-net.org/

The Hertz Foundation: http://hertzfoundation.org/

IBM fellowships: The company offers dozens of fellowship each year in scientific areas such as AI/Cognitive computing, blockchain, cloud computing, data science, internet of things, quantum computing, and security: http://www.research.ibm.com/university/awards/phdfellowship.shtml

The National GEM Consortium: http://www.gemfellowship.org/students/gem-fellowship-program/

Pathways to Science: Nearly 200 fellowships listed for a variety of science-related disciplines: https://www.pathwaystoscience.org/programs.aspx?

Peterson’s: A database of 440 graduate fellowships searchable and filterable by numerous variables: https://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/graduate-school-scholarships/

U.S. government:

Fulbright Program: An international program from the State Department with hundreds of research and fellowship opportunities worldwide. https://us.fulbrightonline.org/

National Science Foundation: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/education.jsp?fund_type=2

U.S. Department of Energy Science Graduate Fellowship Program (DoE SCGF): Dedicated to exemplary doctorate-level students in physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computational sciences, and environmental sciences: https://www.energy.gov/scholarships-and-fellowships

Comparing Fellowships to Other Funding Sources

When pursuing a degree, you have a variety of funding options available: loans, grants, scholarships, fellowships, internships, and assistantships. Each of these has pros and cons depending your situation. As a PhD student, the most common forms of academic financing are scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships. Here’s a glance at all three, along with a rundown of the nuances you need to know before you apply.

Scholarships

First and foremost, scholarships are free money. They don’t need to be paid back in any way, shape, or form. This makes them ideal. Scholarships can be need-based (according to your finances) or merit-based (related to short-term or long-term academic performance). For example, organizations, business, colleges, etc., award scholarships for any number of reasons, from essay contests and giveaways to long-term potential and overall promise in the classroom. For more information, read our full guide to scholarships and grants for PhD students .

Assistantships

Mostly at the graduate level, an assistantship is basically a job on campus. The two most common forms of assistantship are teaching assistance (TA) or graduate research assistance (GRA). In the case of a TA, the graduate student may earn a stipend for leading undergraduate discussion groups or grading essays or exams. GRA duties may include helping a professor compile research for work on a manuscript.

Fellowships

So how do fellowships compare? Like scholarships, it’s free money. There’s absolutely no need to pay anything back to the granting organization. That said, some fellowships do come with a service commitment, which can last one or more years and involve interning. Unlike scholarships, most fellowships target a certain research topic or project at the graduate level. Because they’re mostly research-focused and specific to a student’s academic track, they’re often highly sought after by PhD students.

The Fellowship Fine Print

Are fellowship dollars taxable? Usually not. Fellowship funds that go toward tuition, fees, and other education-centered needs are tax-free and can’t be touched by Uncle Sam. However, any fellowship dollars that go toward travel, personal bills, or other non-education-related needs may be considered taxable income. Make sure you check with your college and an accountant when receiving (and using) your fellowship funds. The same goes for scholarship money, too.

Types of Fellowships

Finding the right fellowship begins with knowing your options. There may be thousands of fellowships out there, but they come from a variety of distinct sources, begin and end at different stages of the doctorate process, and often have unique requirements. Before diving down the research rabbit hole and filling out applications, start broad and narrow your search from there. This will help you better gauge the type of fellowship that fits your academic program and career path.

Fellowships by Funding Source

A doctoral program may weigh down your wallet, but most colleges and universities want to make the experience more affordable for you. Many institutions offer internal fellowships that give their own PhD students that chance to advance their research or dissertation work while contributing to scholarship at the university. These fellowships often run for the academic year and vary from $1,000 to $50,000, although most are enough to cover much or all of a student’s tuition, fees, and living expenses for the duration.

The government, non-profit organizations, and private companies all want talent. One way to attract the top minds of today and tomorrow is with money and opportunity. Specifically, funding advanced research in a student’s area of interest and that jives with the organization’s mission. Depending on the entity, external fellowships can run between $1,000 and $150,000+. These fellowships are highly competitive but can be equally as lucrative.

Fellowships by Doctorate Progress

Pre-dissertation.

Student-focused, i.e. coursework and exams. More flexible in topical area.

Dissertation research

Directed by topical area and a detailed student plan. If external, the organization wants to know if the student will have the faculty support and resources necessary to complete a top product.

Dissertation completion

To help student complete the paper and defense portion of the dissertation process.

Fellowships by Purpose

Teaching abroad.

Teaching fellows abroad help with courses under the supervision of course heads, who hold formal teaching appointments. Duties may include teaching sections, conducting tutorials, recommending grades, supervising independent study projects, and monitoring students’ progress toward their degrees.

Study abroad

Study abroad fellowships may cover language study or area-specific research or both. For example, the Camargo Foundation offers a two-month residential fellowship in Cassis, France for artists or scholars focused on French or Francophone culture.

Research projects

These fellowships cover research projects unrelated to dissertations. This could be anything with substantive research in the awarding organization’s area of focus. These types of fellowships can be found in numerous subjects, but often within health-related fields.

Fellowships by Coverage

Fellowships also vary by the type of compensation the PhD student receives. In many cases, the fellowship covers tuition, fees, and some or all of the candidate’s living expenses. However, fellowships also exist that either cover tuition & fees only, supply tuition waivers to non-residents, or, on the positive side, add in perks such as health benefits. When researching fellowships, make the stated compensation package has everything you need. The last thing you want to do is spend your time and energy applying to a full-time fellowship only to find out that it doesn’t include any help with rent.

Also keep in mind that fellowships, unlike many employment opportunities, do not include vacation time, travel expenses, holiday reimbursement, or other perks you may see with a private business. Make sure you plan for those, as well.

How to Apply for (and Win) a Fellowship

Now that you know where to locate fellowships and which types make sense for you, what’s the next step? How on earth do you go about preparing, applying, and getting your PhD foot in the proverbial door? Each fellowship and awarding organization is different, but a few common denominators exist regardless of where you’re applying. Here’s a look at four keys to applying for (and winning) a PhD fellowship:

Know the eligibility requirements…well. For every fellowship, know the requirements and follow everything to the letter. This includes the full list of all materials needed, as well as everything the awarding organization wants in a personal statement, research statement, work product submissions, etc. The last thing anyone wants is to fall short or get disqualified due to a technicality.

Know the organization’s goals…and how you fit. This might be the most important point. Departments, NGOs, non-profits, and private businesses award fellowships for a reason – to further their research and capabilities in a specific area, and/or to attract and retain top talent. When applying to a fellowship, take the organization’s mission to heart. Of course, you should be applying to fellowships that fit your academic and professional goals anyway, but highlighting that relationship in your application materials can go a long way.

Get recommendations…from the right people. Make sure your recommenders can speak to your qualifications personally and in detail. Select professors and mentors who know your strengths, weaknesses, and can discuss how you will contribute to the field and why you will succeed. Awarding organizations want to know, with as much certainty as possible, that they’re picking the right fellows.

Get feedback…from multiple qualified people. Similar to your recommendations, ask professors and other subject-matter experts for candid and constructive feedback. Many professors have either gone through the fellowship process before or have been fellows themselves. Not only can they help you with the big application asks, but also with the finer and seemingly trivial details.

Further Reading

We always try to include as much relevant information as possible. But with so many great websites out there, it would be crime not to share other fellowship resources that could help you find and earn the money you need. Check out these top online (and free) sources.

• How to Prepare for Prestigious National Scholarships , from the Office of National Scholarships and International Education, New Mexico State University
• How to Win a Graduate Fellowship , Michael Kiparsky, from Chronicle Careers, The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Preparing a Successful Fellowship or Grant Application , Ernesto Chávez, Miroslava Chávez-García and Luis Alvarez, from the newsletter of the Organization of American Historians: August 2009
• Scholarly Pursuits: A Guide to Professional Development During the Graduate Years , Cynthia Verba, from The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University

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Scholarship vs Fellowship: What’s the Difference?

Scholarships and fellowships are often considered prestigious forms of financial aid that support individuals in their educational pursuits. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are distinct differences between scholarships and fellowships. In this article, we will explore these differences and highlight the benefits associated with each.

Scholarships and fellowships are merit-based financial assistance programs that provide support to individuals pursuing education or research opportunities. Both scholarships and fellowships offer various advantages to recipients, but it’s essential to understand the nuances of each.

Definition of Scholarship: A scholarship is a monetary award granted to individuals based on their academic achievements, talents, or specific criteria set by the awarding organization. Scholarships are typically awarded to students to help cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses.

Definition of Fellowship: A fellowship, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive program that often includes financial support, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Fellowships are awarded to individuals who demonstrate exceptional abilities and potential in their chosen field of study or research.

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between Scholarship and Fellowship

Purpose and eligibility.

Scholarships are generally awarded to students to support their academic pursuits. They are often based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement, or specific characteristics such as ethnicity, gender, or background. Scholarships can be awarded at various educational levels, including high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate.

Fellowships, on the other hand, are primarily designed to support advanced study, research, or professional development. They are often awarded to individuals who have completed their undergraduate or graduate studies and are looking to further their education or engage in specialized research projects. Fellowships typically have stricter eligibility requirements and are highly competitive.

Funding and Financial Support

Scholarships are usually funded by organizations, institutions, foundations, corporations, or government entities. They can cover partial or full tuition expenses and may also provide additional financial support for living expenses. Scholarships are often awarded for a specific academic year or semester and may be renewable based on ongoing eligibility.

Fellowships, on the other hand, generally offer more comprehensive financial support. In addition to covering tuition fees, they often provide a stipend or living allowance to support the recipient’s day-to-day expenses.

Fellowships may also offer additional benefits, such as travel grants, research funds, or healthcare coverage. The funding for fellowships can come from various sources, including universities, research institutions, government agencies, or private foundations.

Duration and Commitment

Scholarships can have varying durations, ranging from a single academic year to multiple years. Some scholarships may be renewable for the duration of the recipient’s educational program, provided they maintain certain academic standards.

Recipients of scholarships are expected to meet the requirements set by the awarding organization and may need to fulfill specific obligations, such as maintaining a minimum GPA or participating in community service activities.

Fellowships are typically awarded for a specific duration and often have a more defined scope of work or research project associated with them. Depending on the fellowship program, the duration can range from a few months to several years.

Fellows are expected to actively engage in their research or study and may be required to produce scholarly work, such as publications or presentations, during the fellowship period.

Scholarship Programs

Types of scholarships.

There are various types of scholarships available, catering to different fields of study, demographics, and specific criteria. Some common types of scholarships include:

• Merit-based Scholarships : Awarded based on academic achievements, such as high GPA or standardized test scores.
• Need-based Scholarships : Provided to students who demonstrate financial need.
• Athletic Scholarships : Granted to students with exceptional athletic abilities.
• Career-specific Scholarships : Offered to students pursuing specific career paths, such as nursing, engineering, or teaching.
• Minority Scholarships : Targeted towards students from underrepresented groups or marginalized backgrounds.

Benefits of Scholarships

Scholarships provide numerous benefits to recipients, including:

• Financial assistance to cover educational expenses.
• Recognition of academic or extracurricular achievements.
• Reduced financial burden, allowing students to focus on their studies.
• Increased opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Enhanced resume or CV, showcasing scholarship achievements to potential employers or graduate schools.

Fellowship Programs

Types of fellowships.

Fellowships encompass a wide range of programs, catering to diverse areas of study and research. Some common types of fellowships include:

• Research Fellowships : Designed to support individuals engaged in research activities, allowing them to focus on specific projects or areas of study.
• Postdoctoral Fellowships : Offered to recent Ph.D. graduates to enhance their research skills and expertise before pursuing independent careers.
• Professional Fellowships : Aimed at individuals in various professions to advance their skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities.
• International Fellowships : Provide opportunities for individuals to conduct research or study abroad, fostering cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.

Benefits of Fellowships

Fellowships offer numerous advantages to recipients, such as:

• Financial support for advanced study, research, or professional development.
• Access to mentorship from experts in the field.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and networking.
• Exposure to cutting-edge research and advancements in the chosen field.
• Increased prospects for future career growth and opportunities.

5. Comparison

While both scholarships and fellowships provide valuable support, they differ in certain aspects. Let’s compare the two based on various factors:

Focus on Academic Achievement

Scholarships primarily focus on recognizing and rewarding academic excellence. They provide financial assistance to students who demonstrate outstanding performance in their studies. Scholarships are often awarded based on a combination of factors, including GPA, test scores, leadership qualities, and extracurricular involvement.

Fellowships, on the other hand, emphasize not only academic achievements but also the potential for future contributions to a specific field. They aim to support individuals who exhibit exceptional abilities and promise in their chosen areas of study or research.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Scholarships often enable students to pursue their educational goals, which can enhance their career prospects in the long run. By covering the cost of education, scholarships alleviate financial burdens and allow students to focus on their studies. Additionally, scholarships can enhance a student’s resume or CV, making them more competitive in the job market or when applying for graduate programs.

Fellowships, on the other hand, offer unique opportunities for career advancement. They provide individuals with specialized training, mentorship, and access to resources that can contribute to their professional development. Fellowships often provide exposure to leading experts and organizations within the field, opening doors to future job opportunities or research collaborations.

Research and Collaboration

Scholarships typically do not require recipients to engage in specific research projects. While academic achievement is recognized and rewarded, scholarships generally focus on providing financial support for students’ educational pursuits.

Fellowships, however, often involve research or study projects. Fellows are expected to actively participate in research activities, conduct experiments, collect data, or analyze findings. Fellowships foster collaboration and provide opportunities to work with renowned researchers or experts in the field, leading to the production of significant scholarly work.

Networking and Professional Development

Scholarships may provide limited networking opportunities, primarily within the academic institution or organization awarding the scholarship. However, the primary focus of scholarships is on financial assistance rather than professional development.

Fellowships, on the other hand, often include comprehensive professional development components. Fellows may participate in seminars, workshops, or conferences that promote skill-building, networking, and career advancement. The mentorship provided by experienced professionals in the field can greatly contribute to the fellows’ growth and future success.

Scholarships and fellowships are valuable forms of financial aid that support individuals in their educational and research endeavors. While scholarships primarily focus on academic achievement and provide financial assistance, fellowships offer more comprehensive support, including financial aid, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Both scholarships and fellowships play vital roles in facilitating academic and career success for deserving individuals.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

• A: There are various online platforms, scholarship databases, and fellowship directories where you can search for opportunities based on your field of study, level of education, or specific criteria.
• A: Yes, you can apply for both scholarships and fellowships simultaneously if you meet the eligibility requirements. It’s essential to carefully review the application guidelines and deadlines for each program.
• A: No, scholarships and fellowships are available for a wide range of fields, including arts, sciences, technology, research, and professional development. There are opportunities for various educational pursuits and career paths.
• A: Yes, many scholarships and fellowships are open to international students. Some programs specifically target international applicants to promote cultural exchange and diversity.
• A: No, while some scholarships and fellowships consider financial need as a factor, many programs focus on academic merit, talent, leadership qualities, or specific criteria established by the awarding organization.

Remember to explore the numerous scholarship and fellowship opportunities available to you and consider how they can support your educational and career goals.

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Funding & Scholarship: Graduate Programs

Financial support for ph.d. students, all students admitted into our ph.d. program receive full financial support., this support includes tuition, fees, $1,000 in transportation and dental subsidies (as of ay24-25), and a cost-of-living stipend ($3655 per month in ay23-24 and $4083 per month before taxes in ay24-25)..

Support is independent of need provided a student remains in good academic standing and is making satisfactory progress towards his/her Ph.D. degree. Students are expected to complete their Ph.D. requirements in four to six years. Financial support takes several forms: fellowships, teaching fellowships, and research assistantships. Ordinarily, first-year Ph.D. students are supported with full fellowships so that they can devote their time to coursework.

For the class entering in Fall 2024 : SEAS PhD students are expected to complete two sections of teaching in SEAS in their second year or spread across their second and third years. Both sections may be completed concurrently in a single course. Their research assistantship will be adjusted accordingly during the semester(s) in which they are teaching fellow (TF). The academic requirement for the PhD degree is one section of teaching in SEAS. The student and their research advisor may arrange to replace the second section of teaching with a research assistantship. Beyond the first year, when students are in a better position to teach and assist in research, support is ordinarily provided through research assistantships, or a combination of a teaching fellowship and a research assistantship. For more detailed information, please visit the following pages: GSAS Tuition and Fees  G SAS Financial Support for PhD Students

External financial support for Ph.D. students

Applicants and current students are encouraged and expected to apply for all non-Harvard scholarships for which they are eligible, especially those offered by the  National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program  and  National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG) . 

Each year, many SEAS students secure fellowships from external agencies.  Should an incoming student be awarded and accept any fellowship external to Harvard, it is the expectation that the student will utilize these funds in the first year of study in place of Harvard funding.   In advanced (G2+) years in the graduate program, students with external fellowships are advised to have a discussion with their financial aid officers from Harvard Griffin GSAS and SEAS about how to best utilize the remaining years of funding based on their activities and academic requirements.

To ensure equitable treatment of all students, the coordination of external award benefits with a student’s existing funding package is determined by the Harvard Griffin GSAS financial aid officer in consultation with SEAS.

PhD students with external support are eligible for a SEAS-sponsored academic incentive.  PhD students who bring in open, competitive external fellowships that are equal to 50% or more of total their support (tuition/fees + stipend) will receive a supplemental award of $3,000 in the first year of the external fellowship.  PhD students who bring in open external competitive external fellowships that are not 50% or more of their total support and are at least $10,000 (tuition/fees + stipend or salary) will receive a supplemental award of $1,000.  The full $3,000 bonus may also be awarded in certain cases of multi-year fellowships depending on the total amount of support provided.

Financial support for terminal masters students (M.E. & S.M.)

While financial aid is not available for master’s students in our M.E. and S.M. programs, there are a variety of funding opportunities available. Prospective students are encouraged to apply for independent grants and fellowships to fund their studies.  Information about tuition and fees can be found here . Students in our Computational Science & Engineering or Data Science programs-should visit this page and also may contact the  GSAS Financial Aid Office  to learn more.

Students in the  MS/MBA:Engineering Sciences program  are eligible to apply for need-based  HBS Fellowships  and student loans in both years of the program.

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.

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More From Forbes

Which are the most generous and prestigious scholarships and fellowships.

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There are several dozen scholarships and fellowships that are so generous and prestigious that every eligible student should consider applying. However, these are also amount the most competitive scholarships and fellowships. But, if you win one of these scholarships and fellowships, you’ll find it much easier to pay for college. The scholarships are available for undergraduate school and the fellowships are available for graduate school.

The most generous and prestigious scholarships and fellowships can open doors to educational ... [+] opportunity.

The Most Generous Scholarships and Fellowships

Many of the most generous scholarships are for students who excel in math, science and engineering.

• AMS Graduate Fellowships
• Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
• Breakthrough Junior Challenge
• Davidson Fellows Scholarships
• Google Science Fair
• Hertz Foundation Fellowships
• National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship
• New Cosmic Frontiers International Science Essay Competition
• NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program
• NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship
• Odebrecht Award for Sustainable Development
• Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
• Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
• SME Education Foundation
• U.S. Department of Defense STEM Scholarships
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Computational Science Graduate Fellowship

There are several scholarships for volunteering, community service, leadership and public service.

• Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarships
• Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Scholarship
• Elks Most Valuable Student Competition
• Equitable Excellence Scholarship
• Harry S. Truman Scholarship
• Taco Bell Foundation Live Más Scholarship

There are several scholarships for low-income students and students who are underrepresented in postsecondary education.

• Dell Scholars Program
• Horatio Alger Association Scholarship
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
• QuestBridge National College Match Scholarships  
• Sphinx Competition

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Other generous scholarships are available on assorted topics.

• Burger King
• Doodle 4 Google
• National Retail Federation (NRF) Next Generation Scholarship
• Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
• Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program

The Most Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships

These scholarships and fellowships are among the most prestigious, in part because of very selective eligibility criteria. Many require nomination.

• Beinecke Scholarship (Graduate Education in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences)
• DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
• Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest (Ethics)
• Fulbright Fellowships (Cultural Exchange)
• Gates Cambridge Scholarships (Graduate study at the University of Cambridge, UK)
• Henry Luce Foundation Scholarship (Live and work in Asia)
• Knight-Hennessy Scholarship (Graduate study at Stanford University)
• Marshall Scholarships (Graduate study in the UK)
• Mitchell Scholars Program (Graduate study in Ireland)
• Morris K. Udall Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships (Study related to the environment and Native Americans)
• National Merit Scholarship (Academic Excellence)
• Rhodes Scholarships (Study at the University of Oxford)
• Schwarzman Scholarship (Graduate study at Tsinghua University in Beijing)
• Winston Churchill Scholarship (Study in STEM at Churchill College, Cambridge University)

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Fellowship vs scholarship vs grant: Differences and similarities

Fortunately for students, both governments and private organizations offer various types of financial aid, such as fellowships, scholarships , and grants.

Students also taken on assistantships and internships to earn and reduce their financial burden.

Here’s a quick look at various ways in which students meet their college expenses, including fellowships, scholarships, grants, assistantships, and internships . And the differences and similarities between each.  

Fellowship vs scholarship vs grant

Fellowships.

Fellowships are monetary gifts granted by organizations to master’s degree or doctoral students in exchange for their research in specific areas. A fellowship grant may run for a few months or a couple of years. Usually, graduate students with high GPAs and showing career promise are selected for fellowships.

Fellowships provide extra funds to students to meet the cost of their education and use experiential learning opportunities in their chosen areas.Fellowships work as grants that students can use for any purpose related to their education, such as tuition or housing.

A fellowship may also be a status that a university, a research center, a laboratory, a foundation, or even a government confers on a student or researcher. Often, there may be no financial aid to the person who is granted a fellowship, but only a computer, library access, or research facilities.

But the status and prestige of a fellowship from a renowned institution is often motivation enough for researchers to apply for fellowships. Top researchers are often willing to meet the research expenses themselves for a fellowship. They may receive no financial aid but only access to a university department’s research facilities.  

What does it mean to get a fellowship?

Improving subject expertise and inspiring professional development of the fellow is the main objective of a fellowship. Fellowships provide fellows with meaningful work experiences and allow them to take on important project responsibilities.

Fellows get opportunities to attend important seminars and discussions, conduct in-depth research in specific areas, and develop a wide range of skills such as public speaking, community organizing, media relations, skill and leadership development , and grant writing.

The organization sponsoring a fellowship aims to develop knowledge and leadership in a particular subject or field.

For example, doctoral fellowships are given to PhD students for advancing research in their specialties. Medical fellowships are provided to MD students for further studies in cardiac care, women’s health, pediatrics, and the like. Humanitarian foundations grant fellowships to graduate students taking forward community-based programs.

Among the major fellowships in the US are the Fulbright Fellowships, Smithsonian Fellowships, Guggenheim Fellowships, and Woodrow Wilson National Fellowships.

Although fellowships are usually awarded to graduate and postgraduates, they are now also granted to recent college graduates: for example, the Google Policy Fellowship, Capital Fellows Program, and the John Gardner Fellowship.

Some fellowships may involve grants of $5,000 to $50,000 a year, while others may come with free housing, travel aid, health insurance, student loan forgiveness , or free housing.  

Fellowship selection

What do organizations look for in candidates for fellowships? Of course, academic standing is the foremost requirement. Those with integrity and motivation, who are self-starters, often get the nod. Demonstrated leadership ability earns candidates points in the selection process.

Applications may include a resume , letters of recommendation , transcript , and writing sample. Other material also may be called for depending on the fellowship program.

The selection process often involve a group interview, where candidates discuss a problem, besides individual and panel interviews.  

Scholarships

A scholarship is often the best way for a student to pay for college, mainly because, unlike an education loan , it doesn’t need to be repaid. It is usually merit-based but can sometimes be need-based, too.

A student may apply for a university or another scholarship early in his academic career, and start receiving a scholarship when he starts his undergraduate studies. A scholarship works as financial aid .  

Tips to get a scholarship

Here’s what you can do to get scholarships:

• Research as many scholarships as possible.
• Start your research early, as scholarships may have different applications and deadlines.
• Make your search thorough; you may be eligible for more scholarships than you thought possible.
• Stay alert for scholarship scams that demand a fee or scholarships that seem too good to be true.
• It may be necessary to devote as much time to the process of compiling application material and completing an application as you would allot to preparing for a regular academic course during one term.

Fellowship vs scholarship

How is a scholarship different from a fellowship? A scholarship always involves financial aid as tuition fee or daily or living allowance.

For example, if New York University provides a scholarship to a student, or NASA extends a scholarship to a researcher, it means that the student or researcher is receiving money from these institutions.

The scholarship may fully or party cover the costs associated with the study or research.

If a journalist, for example, receives a fellowship at Harvard, it means that she will get some facilities to conduct investigations and do research.

Financial support may not be part of the fellowship. But if a scholarship is granted to a journalism student, it may mean that she will be provided with financial support to study.

At the graduate level, a scholarship is almost always known as a fellowship. But fellowships are not exclusively only for postgraduate studies.

Some fellowships are granted to undergraduate students, too. Fellowships may grant special status and privilege to the students and significantly improve their access to contacts and development opportunities.  

The terms “fellowship” and “scholarship” are sometimes used interchangeably, but what queers the pitch even further is that the term “grant” is also used along with these two words, particularly with scholarships.

There is a difference in the meanings of “scholarship” and “grant.” Both involve at least some financial aid, but what usually differentiates a grant from a scholarship is that a grant is generally need-based, and depends largely on the student’s family’s financial circumstances, which is why is known as a “need-based gift.”

Whether you need financial aid or don’t is the question that is considered by the authorities approving a grant.

Of course, this is not to say that grants are not awarded based on merit.It is, often. On the other hand, a scholarship is often not need-based but are awarded to students who have proven themselves academically.

If a student receives a scholarship, he will probably have to maintain some academic standard, such as a certain GPA, to continue to receive the scholarship.

Grants may have to be repaid under certain circumstances: if the student withdraws from the program, there’s a change in the status of enrollment (full-time to part-time), or the financial need is reduced by other grans or aid.  

The benefactors

As we saw earlier, fellowships are given by university, research foundations, and other academic institutions.

Scholarships and grants are granted by the federal government in the US (the need-based Pell Grant), state governments (for residents going to college in their own state), colleges (merit-based or need-based), and private organizations (companies, foundations, community organizations, etc.).

Fellowship grants are given to individuals for helping them study or pursue research.

The benefit to organizations providing grants to their employees taking up research is that it lifts employee morale.

The organizations also thereby become an integral part of a talent development program, are able to tone up its corporate social responsibility programs, and step up their marketing and publicity campaigns.

Scholarships, fellowships, and grants are tax-free in the US in the case of a student at an educational institution that regularly enrolls students, and if the amounts received are used to pay tuition and other fees, and for meeting the cost of books, supplies, and equipment.  

Fellowship scholarships

A fellowship scholarship is usually a financial grant given to students or professionals under a fellowship program of a university or foundation.

For example, the University of Adelaide provides two scholarships under its Adelaide Dickens Fellowship program to two undergraduate students majoring in English.

Fellowship scholarships are also given to professionals for pursuing further education.

For example, the AANEM’s (American Association for Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine’s) Foundation for Research & Education provides up to five international fellowship scholarships annually to physicians practicing in developing countries.  

Assistantship

Assistantships are another way in which students fund a part of their college expenses.

Graduate assistantship is a type of paid academic employment in which students are paid for tasks they complete for faculty members, departments, or colleges. By working 20 hours a week, graduate students in the US receive a small stipend.

The difference between a fellowship / scholarship and assistantship is that while a fellowship / scholarship is financial aid provided to cover student costs such as tuition, books, supplies, and housing, an assistantship is a salary paid for work done on campus and can be used for expenses such as tuition.

Teaching assistantships and research assistantships are the main categories of assistantships.

A teaching assistantship involves helping professors teach lower-level courses to undergraduates, coordinating with faculty members, conducting study groups, grading assignments, and functioning as the acting class teacher.

Research assistantships allow graduate students to work under a professor, help conduct research, analyze finding, and publish the studies.  

Selection criteria for assistantship

A large university may have so many assistantships on offer that every graduate students can hope to secure one.

However, in smaller universities, getting an assistantship may involve stiff competition and a difficult application process with an interview and a commitment to maintain a certain GPA.

The advantage is the invaluable experience gained and the chance to improve a future job resume by mentioning the assistantship.

What does a student require to be selected? Good communication skills, time management skills, and high motivation to complete tasks in additional to his normal academic responsibilities.  

Assistantship vs fellowship

An assistantship and a fellowship are different in the time commitments required from a student. An assistantship may involve longer work hours and may require the student to teach at least one course per semester. This may mean more classes for the student to teach and less time for the student’s own studies.

In this respect, a fellowship is more relaxed. However, the student will have decide what to choose based on the amount of money that an assistantship / fellowship offers.

Learn more about Graduate assistantship: Teaching and research assistant jobs  

An internship is temporary work offered by an organization to students or recent graduates. Usually, an internship is granted in a field that a student or graduate is interested in and can gain work experience.

Internships can be paid, unpaid, or partially paid (with a stipend), but students get a glimpse of the working world, pick up time management and communication skills, meet a mentor, and become better equipped to choose a major and make first plans for a career.

However, they should choose their fields of internship wisely and based on their interests such as software development, research, or law.

A big benefit to interns who show promise is that they are often recruited as permanent employees; a benefit to the companies is that they can find talented and trained employees among their interns.

An online search can help students explore internship opportunities in companies, nonprofits, and other organizations in their own country and abroad. Counselors, teachers, career advisors, friends, and family can help students, too. Networking and attending career fairs can also unveil opportunities.

The selection criteria are good academic standing and adequate subject knowledge and leadership and communication skills.

Learn more about how student internships work .  

Types and categories of student aid: A comparison

  Also read: – How to get GMAT scholarships – Scholarship success stories   References: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 , 20

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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

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services .

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SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships

Fall 2023 competition, on this page, description, future challenge areas, value and duration, eligibility, application process, application deadlines, indigenous applicants, selection process, selection criteria, notification of results, regulations, policies and related information, contact information.

Note: Both the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships and the  Canada Graduate Scholarships—Doctoral Program  (CGS D) are offered through one annual national competition. Applicants need to submit only one application to be considered for one or both awards. As each award has notable differences, applicants must read the descriptions of each award carefully to determine if they are eligible to apply for and hold each award. Applicants eligible for both the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships and CGS D Scholarships will automatically be considered for both awards.

The SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships are expected to respond to the objectives of the  Research Training and Talent Development program .

SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships support high-calibre students engaged in doctoral programs in the social sciences and humanities. This support allows scholars to fully focus on their doctoral studies, to seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields, and to contribute to the Canadian research ecosystem during and beyond the tenure of their awards.

SSHRC welcomes applications involving  Indigenous research , as well as those involving  research-creation .

Joint initiatives and supplements

SSHRC offers supplementary funding to scholarship and fellowship award holders, some of which is offered through joint initiatives. SSHRC collaborates with organizations from across the not-for-profit, private and public sectors to support and promote training, research and connection activities in the social sciences and humanities. SSHRC’s joint initiatives are designed to reflect SSHRC’s strategic objectives and mandate, inform decision-makers and, in certain cases, address specific needs of its partners.

Learn more about joint initiatives .

For a complete list of available supplements and joint initiatives, see SSHRC’s funding search tool .

Unless otherwise indicated, there is no separate application process for most initiatives and supplements. However, candidates must indicate they wish to be considered for an initiative or a supplement, and explain why, in their application form.

SSHRC invites all applicants to review  Imagining Canada’s Future ’s 16 future global challenges and to consider addressing one or more of these areas in their research proposal. This is not an evaluation criterion for merit review and does not offer additional or dedicated research funds for this funding opportunity. 

SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships are valued at $20,000 per year for 12, 24, 36 or 48 months, up to a total of $80,000.

SSHRC determines the value and duration of an award based on the number of months of full-time study (or equivalent) the applicant will have completed by December 31 of the calendar year of application. See the  Eligibility—Applicant section for more information.

Note: The value and duration of SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships differ from those of the CGS D Scholarships. 

To be eligible to apply, an applicant must: 

• be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada or a Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act  (Canada), as of the application deadline;
• not have already received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from the  Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council  (NSERC) or SSHRC; 
• not have submitted more than one scholarship or fellowship application per academic year to either CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC. (Should more than one application be submitted, the first eligible application submitted will be retained; nominations to the Vanier CGS program do not count toward this limit—see SSHRC’s regulations on multiple applications and on holding multiple awards for more information.); and
• have completed  no more than 48 months  of full-time study in their doctoral program by December 31 of the calendar year of application.

Some eligibility requirements for the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships differ from the eligibility requirements of the CGS D Scholarships .

Months of study

Eligibility for a SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship is based on the number of months of full-time study, including summer months, the applicant will have completed by  December 31 of the calendar year of application . Part-time study is counted as half time. For example, two terms of part-time study count as one term of full-time study.

Note: The agencies count all studies toward the doctoral degree for which funding is requested, whether or not they were completed at the degree-granting institution.

Fast-track, joint and direct-entry programs

For applicants registered in a master’s program and then transferred to a doctoral program (fast-track), the months of study completed are calculated starting from the date when the applicant transferred into the doctoral program.

For applicants registered in a joint program, and a master’s degree is obtained as part of the program (e.g., MA/PhD), the months of study are calculated starting from the date when an applicant is officially registered in the joint program (including the master’s portion of the program).

For applicants registered in a joint professional undergraduate/PhD program (MD/PhD, JD/PhD, DVM/PhD), only the months of study in the PhD portion will be counted.

For applicants registered in a doctoral program directly from an undergraduate program (i.e., never enroled in a graduate program), the months of study completed are calculated starting from the date when they began the doctoral program. These applicants, however, could be eligible to apply to the  Canada Graduate Scholarships—Master’s Program  (CGS M) for their first year of doctoral funding. Eligible applicants who apply for a CGS M could maximize the period for which they receive funding. Applicants are responsible for choosing the type of award for which they apply.

Subject matter

SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships support and promote research excellence in a wide variety of disciplines, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research.

Consult the guidelines for selecting the appropriate federal granting agency and the guidelines on subject matter eligibility for more information.

Program of study

An eligible doctoral program must include a significant research component that leads to the completion of a thesis, major research project, dissertation, scholarly publication, performance, recital and/or exhibit. This component must be merit/expert reviewed at the institutional level as a requirement for completing the program. 

Joint programs with a professional degree (e.g., MD/PhD, DVM/PhD, JD/PhD, MBA/PhD), as well as clinically oriented programs of study including clinical psychology, are eligible if they have a significant autonomous research component as described above.

Eligibility to hold an award

SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships  are tenable at any recognized institution in Canada or abroad.

• For the fellowship to be held abroad, the award holder must have  completed  a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a Canadian postsecondary institution.
• For award holders who do not meet this requirement, the fellowships are tenable only at recognized Canadian postsecondary institutions.

The CGS D scholarships are tenable only at eligible Canadian institutions. There are no exceptions.

Award holders can be eligible to hold their awards part time. Refer to the  Tri-Agency Research Training Award Holder’s Guide for further information.

Qualifying or “make-up” years of study are not eligible for support.

Federal government employees require prior approval from SSHRC to be eligible to hold an award. Supporting documentation from the employer might be required.

For other requirements, consult the Tri-Agency Research Training Award Holder’s Guide.

Applicants must complete the  application form  according to the instructions .

Applicants eligible for both a SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship and CGS D Scholarship will  automatically  be considered for both awards.

To apply, applicants must do the following:

• ensure that they meet the requirements specified in Value and duration and Eligibility ;
• complete only one application form, together with the SSHRC CV and required attachments; and
• determine their current registration status from the Where to submit an application and Quotas subsections below and submit their completed application to the appropriate institution or to SSHRC directly, as required.

Where to submit an application

Applicants must apply either through a Canadian institution with a doctoral awards quota or directly to SSHRC depending on their registration status at the application deadline date and/or their registration status in the calendar year of application. Failure to apply through the correct channel will result in an application being withdrawn from the competition.

To determine the correct channel, applicants must:

• determine if an institution has a doctoral awards quota for SSHRC; and
• refer to the chart and supporting information in the document Where should I submit my application?  (PDF, 145 KB)

Applicants should contact the faculty of graduate studies (or its equivalent) to confirm their registration status in the calendar year of application.

For Canadian institutions with a doctoral awards quota , the term “quota” refers to the maximum number of applications an institution can forward to SSHRC’s national competition.

Institutional deadlines

Applicants applying through their institution must submit their applications by the deadline set by the institution, which may be well in advance of SSHRC’s deadline.

For more information about institutional deadlines, applicants should contact their faculty of graduate studies (or its equivalent).

Deadline for submitting directly to SSHRC

Applicants eligible to apply directly to SSHRC (consult Where should I submit my application?  [PDF, 145 KB]) must submit using the appropriate application portal before 8 p.m. (eastern) on October 17. If the deadline falls on a weekend or a public holiday observed in Ontario, where SSHRC’s offices are, applications must be submitted by the following business day before 8 p.m. (eastern). Incomplete applications may be withdrawn from the competition.

Applicants requiring assistance while preparing their application should  communicate with SSHRC  well in advance of their application deadline.

Institutions can recommend applications from Indigenous applicants for submission to the doctoral awards competition beyond their application quota, if applicants agree to their personal information being used for this purpose. Applicants can do so by making the appropriate selection in the application form.

Indigenous applicants who have selected this option and who are required to submit their application directly to SSHRC are automatically evaluated in the national competition.

For more information, see SSHRC’s Indigenous Talent Measures .

Applications are evaluated, and available funds awarded, through a competitive merit review process . SSHRC bases funding decisions on the recommendations of the selection committee and on the funds available.

Institutional review

The faculty of graduate studies (or its equivalent) at each Canadian institution is responsible for coordinating the institutional evaluation of doctoral award applications. Institutions then submit applications for SSHRC’s consideration according to their doctoral award quotas .

SSHRC review

Multidisciplinary Doctoral Awards Selection Committees covering broad research areas evaluate applications (whether sent directly to SSHRC or by the institutions).

The evaluation of doctoral award applications, whether by institutions or by SSHRC, is based on the following criteria:

SSHRC’s  Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research  are relevant for researchers (applicants and project directors) and students preparing SSHRC applications related to  Indigenous research . SSHRC provides these guidelines to merit reviewers to help build understanding of Indigenous research and research-related activities, and to assist committee members in interpreting SSHRC’s specific evaluation criteria in the context of Indigenous research. SSHRC makes concerted efforts to include experts in Indigenous research on doctoral and postdoctoral merit review committees. The guidelines may also be of use to external assessors, postsecondary institutions and partner organizations that support Indigenous research.

San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment

In 2019, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and SSHRC, along with other national research funders, signed the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) . As such, the agencies are committed to excellence in research funding and to ensuring that a wide range of research results and outcomes are considered and valued as part of the assessment process.

SSHRC informs all applicants of the outcome of their applications in April of each year via the SSHRC Extranet for Applicants.

The faculty of graduate studies (or its equivalent) of Canadian institutions with a quota will be informed of their applicants’ competition results via the Grants and Scholarships Administration Portal.

SSHRC will publish the names (and other basic award information) of scholarship recipients on its website.

All communications of results, including publication of recipients’ list, meet all requirements of the  Access to Information Act  and the  Privacy Act .

SSHRC reserves the right to determine the eligibility of applications based on the information included. SSHRC also reserves the right to interpret the regulations and policies governing its funding opportunities.

All applicants and scholarship/fellowship holders must comply with the  regulations governing fellowship and scholarship applications  and with the regulations set out in the  Tri-Agency Research Training Award Holder’s Guide .

Official languages

Applicants can submit their application in the official language of their choice. Institutions must have mechanisms in place to review both English and French applications.

Guidelines and related support material

All applicants for SSHRC funding should consult the following guidelines while preparing their application:

• SSHRC’s  Definitions of Terms  for terms used in the application process;
• the  Guidelines for Effective Research Training , which can also be useful to reviewers and postsecondary institutions; and
• SSHRC’s  Indigenous Research Statement of Principles and  Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research  for applications involving  Indigenous research ;
• SSHRC’s  definition of knowledge mobilization  and its  Guidelines for Effective Knowledge Mobilization  for guidance on connecting with research users to create impact; and
• SSHRC’s definition of researchcreation and its Guidelines for Research-Creation Support Materials for clarification on how committee members evaluate samples of research-creation provided through website links.

For more information, contact:

Toll-free: 1-855-275-2861 Email:   [email protected]

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Fellowships can be administered as a Fellowship (True Fellow) or as a Fellowship Administered as an Assistantship (Fellowship Assistantship).  In most cases, the sponsor of the funds specifies how the fellowship will be administered. 

Purdue University must make a distinction between true fellows and fellowship assistantships for the purpose of reporting to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  The University recognizes that there exist substantial similarities between true fellows and fellowship assistantships, and wide diversity in relationships between mentors and graduate students regardless of the student's source of financial support. All graduate students receive guidance and direction in the design and conduct of their thesis/dissertation research from their major professor, and faculty advisors approve all thesis/dissertation research projects.

True fellows are not employees of Purdue.  True fellows receive scholarship or fellowship payments (stipends) intended to assist them in pursuing a course of study or research. This payment is not a payment for teaching, conducting research, or other services. Purdue does not report the payment to the IRS. True fellows have the following characteristics:

• must be candidates for a degree.
• must have major professors who can appropriately mentor the proposed research and provide an environment conducive to carrying out this research.
• generally are free to explore new areas, depending on the progress of the research.
• are not considered graduate staff of the University. Payment is provided in the form of a stipend provided to support the fellow. Stipends are not considered compensation for services.

Fellowships generally are awarded to students who may freely select the faculty adviser with whom they will conduct research while receiving their stipend.

Fellowship assistantships are employees of Purdue.  Fellow assistantships receive payments (salary), which is taxable income reported by Purdue to the IRS. The salary earned by fellow assistants is subject to withholding for income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare, and is reported on the W-2 at year end.

Fellow assistants have the following characteristics:

• assistantships must be candidates for a degree.
• the work for which fellow assistantships are being compensated may or may not be related to their degree requirements. For example, a number of departments employ assistantships pursuing degrees in other fields of specialization to assist in teaching their classes.
• if the work in which the student is performing supports the development of their theses, the major professor plays a large role in devising the research plan. Normally, the research is part of the larger program of the major professor. While the student is encouraged to explore new and innovative methods/ideas, the student cannot deviate from the research without the concurrence of the major professor.
• fellow assistantships are considered staff of the University and receive a salary that is considered payment for services.

Tax Implications

There are different tax and financial aid implications for graduate fellows and graduate assistants. There are also different implications for domestic and international students. Details of these implications are addressed below.

The interpretation and implementation of the tax laws is the domain of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Graduate School takes no position on the status of a particular taxpayer, nor does it have the authority to dispense tax advice. Students should consult a tax expert for advice. That stated, modest guidance on stipend taxability is provided here.

Graduate Fellows (True Fellow) - Part of the payment (stipends that are used for meals, lodging, non-mandatory medical insurance, travel, personal living expenses or other non-course-related expenses) made to a graduate fellow is taxable income. Other parts of the payment (portions used for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the University and/or other mandatory fees, such as books, supplies, and equipment required to be used by all students in a particular course of study) are not taxable.

• According to the IRS, a portion of fellowship payments may be subject to income tax.
• Students who are pursuing a degree may exclude from taxable income the part of the fellowship applied to tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance or for the purchase of books, supplies, and equipment required for courses.
• The portion of the fellowship used for room and board or personal items must be reported as taxable income.
• The IRS does not allow the University to withhold income tax on fellowships. Therefore, a Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement will not be issued at year end. Consequently, taxes may be owed when a tax return is filed.
• Additional information about the taxability of fellowships is provided in  Internal Revenue Service Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education .
• According to the IRS, the University must withhold 14 percent federal income tax from fellowship payments, unless the student is exempt from tax because of a treaty between his or her country of residence and the United States. The Purdue University Payroll Department will notify international students of the procedures to obtain this exemption.
• A nonresident alien is required to complete Form 1040NR and return it to the IRS, even if his or her fellowship is exempt from tax.
• More information about the taxability of fellowship payments to nonresident aliens is provided in  IRS Publication #519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens .

Graduate Assistants (Fellowships Administered as Assistantships) - Students with fellowships administered as assistantships are considered employees of the university.  Therefore, the salary earned from this position is subject to withholding for income tax, social security, and Medicare tax and is reported on the W-2 at year end.

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• How Are Fellowships Different from Assistantships?

Graduate Fellowships and Graduate Assistantships are specific appointment positions through Oregon State University. While both appointments provide benefits to graduate students, they are distinctly different appointment types.

OSU Graduate Fellowships are appointed to OSU as a means to acknowledge and support outstanding graduate students in pursuit of their advanced degree objectives. Graduate fellowships provide a living stipend, graduate fellow health insurance premiums, and tuition support, and may also include support for mandatory fees, without a commensurate service requirement. Graduate Fellows are not employees of OSU, and appointments are not governed by contractual bodies. However, it is the intent of the institution to ensure that an incentive remains for graduate students to seek competitive graduate fellowship support and for graduate fellows to be recognized and honored for the distinction that they bring to themselves and to the university as a result of their success.

External awards may use the term “fellowship” to describe financial awards, including scholarships, that support a graduate student’s education, but Graduate Fellowships at OSU are formalized appointments with specific policies and requirements.

OSU Graduate Assistantships are appointed to OSU to provide service in the form of employment to the institution. In exchange for service, either in the form of teaching or research, an assistantship provides:

• A monthly salary
• Tuition remission
• An institutional contribution toward mandatory fees
• The graduate assistant-only health insurance premium

Graduate Assistantship appointments at OSU are ultimately governed by the contract agreement between OSU and the Coalition of Graduate Employees, American Federation of Teachers Local 6069. The CGE contract takes precedence over all other published information.

Departments should consult the Office of Human Resources and the CGE contract for definitive employment rules and regulations concerning Graduate Assistant appointments.

Comparing fellowships and assistantships at OSU

The following chart provides a comparison of fellowships and assistantships at OSU. You can download a PDF version of this chart :

1. Tuition support

2. enrollment requirements, 3. health insurance, 4. compensation, 5. appointment setup, 6. service requirements.

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NIHR Fellowship Programme

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The NIHR Fellowship Programme supports individuals on their trajectory to becoming future leaders in health and social care NIHR research.

Our four fellowships have been designed to support individuals at various points of their development in becoming leading researchers, from initial pre-doctoral training to senior post-doctoral research.

• Pre-doctoral Fellowship launch date: Late January / February annually
• Development and Skills Enhancement Award launch dates: January, May, September annually
• Doctoral Fellowship launch dates: April, October annually
• Advanced Fellowship launch dates: April, October annually

We are also partnering with a number of charitable organisations to offer jointly-funded Partnership Fellowships at both Doctoral and Advanced levels. More details can be found in the  NIHR Fellowships Summary and NIHR Fellowships FAQs .

Need more time and support to prepare your application?

Find out how our Pre-Application Support Fund can help.

Further Information

Call:  0113 532 8410 Email: [email protected] , and detail which fellowship programme you are enquiring about in the subject area.

Supporting people with musculoskeletal pain to return to work

Our Fellowship Programme has supported the research of leading expert, Professor Gwenllian Wynne-Jones, who developed a vocational advice intervention that significantly reduced work absence among patients with musculoskeletal disorders.

Pre-doctoral Fellowship

NIHR Pre-doctoral Fellowships are designed to support people who are looking to start or advance a career in health and social care research methodology, specifically in one of the following areas:

• medical statistics
• health economics
• clinical trial design
• operational research
• bioinformatics
• qualitative research
• mixed methods
• epidemiology

Applicants without a Master's degree should use the Fellowship to undertake a Master's degree in one of the areas listed. Those already holding a relevant Master's degree (or currently completing one) should use the Fellowship to gain additional support and training to advance to the next level of their career. The Fellowship can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for a NIHR Pre-doctoral Fellowship you must:

• have completed a relevant first degree.
• have a proposed host who is an HEI, NHS body, or other provider of health and/or care services
• be proposing to develop a career as a methodologist in one of the areas listed above.

Applications open annually in late January/February to start from September the same year to March the following year. Exact dates are available close to the time of opening.

Check funding opportunities for details of latest funding rounds.

Please note, this Fellowship is not open to clinical applicants looking to undertake training in research methods.  Clinical applicants looking to develop a career as a clinical academic should consider schemes from the relevant clinical academic programmes provided by NIHR .

Useful resources for applicants

• Pre-doctoral Fellowship Round 6 Guidance Notes
• Pre-doctoral Fellowship Selection Committee
• Pre-doctoral Fellowship Round 4 Chairs’ Report
• NIHR Pre-doctoral Fellowship Potential Supervisors 
• NIHR Awards Management System . Please note the application form is only available during the application window. Registration on the system, however, can be completed at any time.

Doctoral Fellowship

The NIHR Doctoral Fellowship is a three year full-time award that supports individuals to undertake a PhD in applied health or social care research. This fellowship may also be taken up on a part-time basis of between 50% and 100% whole time equivalent (WTE).

Clinical applicants are able to include up to 20% clinical time as part of the fellowship, to ensure the maintenance of their clinical competence whilst undertaking the fellowship.

To be eligible for an NIHR Doctoral Fellowship you must:

• Have completed any relevant pre-registration training (for clinical academic applicants)
• Have completed a first degree (for non-clinical applicants)
• Have a proposed host who is an HEI, NHS body, or other provider of health and/or care services.
• Be intending to register for and complete a PhD
• Where already registered for a PhD (or MPhil with transfer to PhD), you should not have been registered for more than 12 months at 100% WTE by the time the award starts.

Full details of the latest funding rounds are available in funding opportunities.

Doctoral Timetable

Partnership fellowships.

The NIHR has partnered with a number of charitable organisations to offer jointly funded NIHR Charity Partnership Fellowships and with Pfizer to offer an NIHR Industry Partnership Fellowship. Details are available for the latest Fellowship Round in Funding Opportunities.

Jointly funded Partnership Fellowships enable researchers to:

• Maintain and build a relationship with both the NIHR and a partner organisation
• Engage with and receive valuable input from patient groups, making the most of the public and patient engagement/involvement opportunities available
• Receive greater research exposure through a variety of media and communication channels.

Please refer to the Guidance Notes for  further details regarding the specific eligibility criteria for each partner (in addition to the standard eligibility criteria), the level of award available and the contact details for the relevant partner.

We encourage all applicants interested in applying for a jointly funded Partnership Fellowship to contact the relevant partner to discuss their research area of interest before they apply.

Please note, all other queries about the application process should be directed to the NIHR Academy.

• Doctoral Fellowship Selection Committee  
• NIHR Doctoral Fellowship Round 7 and 8 Chair's Report
• NIHR Doctoral Fellowship Round 12 Guidance Notes

New pathway to monitor diabetic eye disease cuts waiting times

NIHR supported Professor Angus Jones and his colleagues to transform the accuracy of diabetes diagnosis with a quick, inexpensive C-peptide test to measure insulin levels in the blood or urine. The research has influenced national and international guidelines, leading to changes in clinical practice.

Advanced Fellowship

The Advanced Fellowship is for those at a post-doctoral level and can be utilised at several specific points of a researcher’s career development.

The fellowship is between 2 and 5 years and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis - between 50% and 100% whole time equivalent (WTE).

Advanced Fellowships will be available with a ‘clinical academic’ option, whereby clinical applicants will have the option to request up to 40% of their time be dedicated to clinical service/development which would be covered by the award.

If you are a Global Health researcher you should apply for the  Global Advanced Fellowship .

When should you apply?

The NIHR Advanced Fellowship is aimed at individuals at various points of their career. You may have:  

• Recently completed or be about to be awarded a PhD, but haven’t yet established yourself as an independent researcher
• Established yourself as an independent researcher or you are in the process of doing so, but are not yet recognised as an international leader in your field
• Transitioned into applied health research or social care research from a basic science background or re-established your research career following a significant career break.

In addition, you may use the Advanced Fellowship to undertake innovative knowledge mobilisation (to support the more effective use of research knowledge), whilst simultaneously researching implementation processes and impacts.

If you are unsure about your eligibility for the Advanced Fellowship, as related to your career stage, please contact the NIHR Academy office on 0113 532 8410 and a member of the team  will be happy to discuss your proposed application.

To be eligible for an NIHR Advanced Fellowship you must:

• Have a proposed host who is an HEI, NHS body, or other provider of health and/or care services
• Hold a relevant PhD or MD, or have submitted your thesis for examination at the time of application (you must have been awarded a PhD or MD by the time you attend the interview)
• Not already hold a Chair at the point of application
• Complete the relevant pre-registration training (for clinical academic applicants).

Advanced Fellowship Timetable 

• Maintain and build a relationship with both the NIHR and a partner

We encourage all applicants interested in applying for a jointly funded Partnership Fellowship to contact the relevant partner to discuss their research area of interest before they apply. Please note all other queries about the application process should be directed to the NIHR Academy.

Useful  resources for potential applicants

• NIHR Advanced Fellowship - Round 12 Guidance Notes
• NIHR Advanced Fellowship Selection Committee
• The common characteristics of a great Advanced Fellowship application
• NIHR Academy Awards Management System
• Introductory resources for Knowledge Mobilisation and planning your pathway to impact

Development and Skills Enhancement Award

The Development and Skills Enhancement Award (DSE) is a post-doctoral level award aimed at supporting  early to mid-career researchers.  It provides up to 2 years of funding for researchers to gain the skills and experience they need to progress to the next phase of their career. 

Read more about the DSE Award

Latest blogs about the Academy

How we can support research careers for health and social care professionals

The common characteristics of a great Fellowship application

What makes a NIHR Doctoral Fellowship application excellent?

Latest documents for fellowships.

NIHR Doctoral Fellowship Round 12 Guidance Notes NIHR Advanced Fellowship Round 12 Guidance Notes Pre-doctoral Fellowship Funding Committee Round 6 NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award (DSE) Guidance Notes NIHR Doctoral Fellowship Round 11 Guidance Notes

All Fellowship documents

Latest funding opportunities for Fellowships

Advanced Fellowship Round 12 Doctoral Fellowship Round 12 NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award (DSE)

All Fellowship funding opportunities

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PhD students earn top National Science Foundation fellowships

The national awards recognize and support outstanding grad students from across the country in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees.

PhD students Caleb Song and Jennifer Wu are each receiving the honor for 2024. Find out more about their research below.

Awardees receive a $37,000 annual stipend and cost of education allowance for the next three years as well as professional development opportunities.

Two mechanical engineering PhD students, Alex Hedrick and Carly Rowe, also received honorable mentions from the National Science Foundation program.

2024 GRFP Honorees

2nd Year PhD Student

Advisor: John Pellegrino Lab:  Membrane Science & Technology

I did my undergrad in Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech before coming to Boulder for my PhD in Mechanical Engineering. For the past two years, I've been working on the characterization, tuning, and scale-up of graphene-based membrane electrodes (grMEs). The funding from the GRFP will allow me to pursue low technology readiness level (TRL) electrochemical device development using these grMEs. In particular, I plan on exploring hybrid electrophoretic/size exclusion-based separations for biopharmaceutical development and processing.

Jennifer Wu

Fall 2024 Incoming PhD Student

Advisor: Daven Henze Lab: Henze Group

My research will involve using computer simulations and environmental observations to investigate the impact of atmospheric constituents on air quality and climate change. By coupling satellite observations with state-of-the-art air pollution models, I aim to provide more accurate estimates of emissions to better inform climate and public health policy. Previously at Caltech, I worked closely with scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in analyzing methane and carbon monoxide measurements in the Los Angeles Basin.

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Population and Health Data Science: Fully Funded Health Data Research UK PhD Scholarship: Use of Real-World Evidence in Health Technology Assessment for Multiple Long-term Conditions (RS600)

• An introduction to postgraduate study
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Closing date: 12 May 2024

Key Information

Funding provider:   Health Data Research (HDR) UK

Subject areas:   Population Data Science

Project start date:

• 1  October 202 4 ( Enrolment open from mid-September )

Project supervisors:

• Professor Rhiannon Owen ( r.k.owen @swansea.ac.uk )
• Dr James Rafferty
• Professor Hamish Laing
• Professor Keith Abrams (University of Warwick)

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Population and Health Data Science

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description:

Healthcare decision-making has previously focussed on developing recommendations for single conditions. However, standardised care for each chronic condition in isolation can be inappropriate for individuals living with multiple long-term conditions known as multimorbidity, and may lead to unnecessary polypharmacy. This PhD studentship aims to develop a modelling framework to estimate the natural history of disease in individuals living with multiple long-term conditions using population-scale, linked, electronic health records from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank Wales Multimorbidity e-Cohort ( Lyons et al , 2021 ). This approach will allow estimation of the potential adverse effects (such as hospitalisations) of drug-on-drug interactions for the treatment of multiple conditions and associated genetic, environmental, or demographic risk factors. Further this PhD project will compare the efficacy of different combinations of treatments used in people with multiple long-term conditions, and assess potential health inequalities.   

Facilities 

The PhD student will be based in Population Data Science at Swansea University with visiting PhD Student Status at the Department of Statistics at the University of Warwick, benefiting from the stimulating and supportive environment and bespoke training programmes. The successful candidate will receive training to develop their knowledge and expertise in statistical modelling, epidemiology, population data science and health technology assessment, with the opportunity for their research to directly inform healthcare policy and practice. The successful student will have the opportunity to present their work at national and international conferences and workshops.  

This PhD is funded as part of the HDR UK Medicines in Acute and Chronic Care Driver Programme, which is a national collaboration that aims to understand and transform the use of medicines for patient benefit, and reduce medicines-associated harm. The Driver Programme has a particular focus on vulnerable populations including people living with multiple long-term conditions and those experiencing health inequalities. The successful candidate will be one of several PhD students contributing to the wider HDR UK Driver Programmes and will have the opportunity to collaborate with the wider HDR UK Driver Programme Team as well as access additional training and associated events hosted by HDR UK. 

Eligibility

Candidates must hold an Upper Second Class (2.1) honours degree. Candidates  will need an MSc in Statistics/Biostatistics or Epidemiology/Health Data Science (with a strong analytical component ) plus programming and data analysis skills/experience in R and/or Python.  

Experience of analysing large-scale linked electronic health record data and k nowledge of Bayesian methods would be an advantage.

If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements (see  country specific qualifications ). Please note that you may need to provide evidence of your English Language proficiency. 

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email  [email protected]  with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend of £ 19,237.

Additional research expenses will also be available.

How to Apply

To apply, please  complete your application online   with the following information:

In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email [email protected] where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

• Start year  – please select  2024
• Funding (page 8)  –
• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select  No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter  ‘RS600 - Health Technology Assessment'

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award ; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

We encourage you to complete the following to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University: 

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form  (online form)  

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via e-mail).  We strongly advise you to provide the listed supporting documents by the advertised application closing date.  Please note that your application may not be considered without the documents listed:

• Degree certificates and transcripts  (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter  including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• Two references  (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the  Swansea University reference form . Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting  English Language requirement  (if applicable).
• Copy of  UK resident visa  (if applicable)
• C onfirmation of EDI form submission (optional)

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Professor  Rhiannon Owen  ( r.k.owen @swansea.ac.uk ).

*External Partner Application Data Sharing  – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Msca opens €417 million call for postdoctoral fellowships.

Postdoctoral Fellowships offer researchers holding a PhD the opportunity to gain new skills and experience while carrying out their own research project abroad. The deadline to apply is 11 September 2024.

The 2024 call for the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions  Postdoctoral Fellowships is open as of today.

The grants, which have a budget of € 417.18 million, aim to improve the creative and innovative potential of researchers holding a PhD.  

They will help researchers acquire new skills,develop their careers, and gain international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral experience by working in another country.

These prestigious fellowships are also a stepping stone in researchers’ careers. They allow them to strengthen research cooperation with leading scientific teams and figures worldwide. 

The call will close on 11 September 2024 and is expected to fund over 1,400 projects.

Research in all fields 

The call is open to applications in any scientific field, including Euratom research. 

Fellowships include

• European Postdoctoral Fellowships , open to researchers of any nationality to carry out a personalised project in the European Union (EU) or countries associated to Horizon Europe for up to 24 months
• Global Postdoctoral Fellowships , open to EU and Horizon Europe associated countries nationals or long-term residents wishing to work with organisations in third countries for a period of 12 to 24 months, before returning to Europe for 12 months

The scheme encourages researchers to gain experience beyond academia by giving them the opportunity to request an additional six months at the end of their fellowship to undertake a placement in a non-academic organisation in Europe.

Conditions for researchers and organisations

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to postdoctoral researchers from all over the world, of any nationality and at any career stage, with a maximum of 8 years of research experience after their PhD. 

Some exceptions and specific conditions apply, for instance for Global Postdoctoral Fellowships.

Researchers must develop an application with their prospective supervisor and apply together with their future host organisation, which can be

• a university
• a research institution or facility
• a company, small or medium-sized enterprise
• a government, public institution, or body
• a museum, hospital, or NGO
• any other organisation 

based in an EU Member State or  Horizon Europe associated country .

As of January 2024, the United Kingdom is associated to the Horizon Europe programme. United Kingdom organisations will therefore be able to  apply and receive funding under this year’s call under the same conditions as EU Member States and other countries associated to Horizon Europe. 

In addition, researchers applying to Global Fellowships will need to seek the commitment of an organisation based in a  third country , as they will carry out their research there for a period of between 12 and 24 months.

The call is open to researchers wishing to reintegrate in Europe, to those who are displaced by conflict, as well as to researchers with high potential who are seeking to restart their careers.

ERA Fellowships

Researchers applying for a standard European Fellowship with a host organisation in a “widening country” (i.e. a country with lower participation rates in Horizon Europe) can opt in to be considered for the ERA Fellowships call.

Around 50 ERA Fellowships will be awarded to excellent applicants who were not selected under the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships call due to budget constraints. The eligible host countries for ERA Fellowships can be found in the following  list .

Indicative timeline

23 April 2024: launch of the call for proposals

11 September 2024: deadline to submit proposals

February 2025: notification of call results to applicants (TBC)

March-May 2025: grant agreement signature for successful projects (TBC)

April-May 2025: first EU-funded projects start (TBC)

Find out more and apply

Have a look at our tips and tricks to prepare your application

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If you need to ask a question, please contact Europe direct .

12 CICS PhD Students Selected to Receive Spring 2024 Dissertation Writing Fellowships

12 doctoral students have been selected to receive Spring 2024 Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences Dissertation Writing Fellowships. Each fellowship provides a $16,500 stipend, granted to students who are nearing the end of their dissertation writing and are planning to defend their dissertations and graduate. Students are nominated by their faculty advisors, based on the strength of their dissertations and its significance to computing theory and practice.   

DEEP CHAKRABORTY Advisors:  Erik Learned-Miller  “Information-Theoretic Methods for Self-Supervised Learning”  

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