INTRODUCTION

A fellowship provides financial support to graduate students to pursue graduate studies without associated teaching or research responsibilities (as they are in a teaching or research assistantship). Fellowships are generally merit-based internal or external awards to support a student in a full-time course of study. 

The Graduate School funds a significant number of entering doctoral students with fellowships awarded through their graduate field.

To find out about the vast array of awards that will be appropriate for you, talk with your director of graduate studies (DGS) and other students in your field. UCLA’s fellowship database (GRAPES) also offers an extensive list of external fellowship opportunities to consider.

Cornell University Fellowships

Approximately 20% of our doctoral students studying on campus receive Cornell University Fellowships (referred to as Sage Fellowships or Cornell Fellowships depending on the field of study). These fellowships typically include full tuition, a nine-month stipend, and Cornell individual student health insurance. A summer stipend may also be provided to students.

Graduate School Fellowships in Support of Diversity for Incoming Students

  • SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowship — for recruitment of new research degree students in graduate fields within contract colleges
  • Deans Excellence Fellowship — for recruitment of new research degree students
  • Deans McNair and McNair SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowships — for recruitment of new research degree students who were McNair Scholars at their undergraduate institutions
  • Deans Mellon Mays and Mellon Mays SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowships — for recruitment of new research degree students who were Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellows at their undergraduate institutions 

Africa Fund

Ph.D. applicants who are citizens of an African country and not permanent residents of the United States are eligible for this award. The fellowship includes a nine-month stipend, full tuition, and Cornell individual student health insurance. To request consideration for this fellowship, please notify your graduate field of your eligibility and request that they nominate you to the Graduate School prior to the fellowship deadline of February 15.

HOW TO APPLY