Fellowships & Grants
Graduate funding does not work like undergraduate scholarships. The money is bigger, the deadlines are earlier, and most of it never appears on a scholarship search engine.
Undergrad Engines Only Go So Far
Fastweb, Unigo, Bold.org and Scholarships.com list some graduate awards, but BigFuture and most search engines are undergrad-only. Grad money lives in fellowship databases and inside departments.
The Best Funding Comes From the Program
Assistantships, tuition remission, and stipends are negotiated with the department — not found on a search site. Ask every program what percentage of students are funded before you apply.
Deadlines Run a Year Ahead
Major fellowships close in the fall for funding that starts the following fall. If you are applying in spring, you are already a cycle late for the biggest awards.
“The best-funded graduate students are not the ones who found the most scholarships — they are the ones who asked the department the right question a year early.”
Where Graduate Money Actually Lives
Start Here — Fellowship Databases
These replace the undergrad search engines. Build profiles here first.
- ProFellow
Free database of 2,700+ fellowships across every field and career stage.
- Pathways to Science
STEM funding for underrepresented students — grad, postdoc, and summer research.
- Grants.gov
Every federal grant opportunity, including research and training grants.
- IIE Passport / Fulbright
The starting point for federally funded international study and research.
- Fastweb (grad filter)
Set your profile to graduate level — a portion of its listings are grad-eligible.
- Bold.org
Has a dedicated graduate scholarship category with low-essay applications.
PhD & Research Funding
Multi-year stipends and tuition for doctoral and research-track students.
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP)
Three years of stipend plus tuition for STEM and social-science PhDs. Apply in your senior year or first two years of grad school.
- Ford Foundation Fellowships
Predoctoral, dissertation, and postdoctoral awards for scholars committed to diversity in higher education.
- GEM Fellowship
Full tuition plus a paid corporate internship for underrepresented students in engineering and science.
- Hertz Fellowship
Up to five years of funding for applied physical, biological, and engineering sciences.
Healthcare, Medicine, Nursing & Biomedical Research
Service-commitment scholarships, NIH training awards, and loan repayment for clinical and research careers.
- NHSC Scholarship Program (HRSA)
Full tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend for medical, dental, PA, NP, and behavioral health students who serve in shortage areas.
- Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
Pays tuition and fees plus a stipend for nursing students who commit to a critical-shortage facility.
- HRSA Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
Awarded through schools to health professions students from disadvantaged backgrounds — ask your financial aid office.
- Health Professions Scholarship Program (Army/Navy/Air Force)
Full tuition plus stipend for medical, dental, veterinary, and psychology students in exchange for military service.
- NIH F31 & F31 Diversity Predoctoral Fellowships
Individual predoctoral awards for biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research PhD students.
- NIH F30 (MD/PhD & Dual-Degree)
Funding for dual-degree students pursuing physician-scientist training.
- NIH MARC & Post-Bac PREP
NIGMS research training pathways that prepare underrepresented students for biomedical PhDs.
- AAMC Financing Your Medical Education
The authoritative guide to med school aid, loan repayment, and the FIRST cost calculators.
- National Medical Fellowships
Scholarships and leadership programs for underrepresented students in medicine and health professions.
- AACN Nursing Scholarships & Financial Aid
Central list of graduate nursing funding, including NP, CRNA, and PhD-in-nursing awards.
- Johnson & Johnson / AACN Minority Nurse Faculty Scholars
Funding for graduate nurses who commit to teaching after they finish.
- APHA & Public Health Funding Directory
ASPPH's aid directory for MPH, MHA, and DrPH students across accredited schools of public health.
- Indian Health Service Scholarship
Tuition and stipend for American Indian and Alaska Native students in health professions.
- NIH Loan Repayment Programs
Up to $50,000 a year in loan repayment for clinicians and scientists doing qualified research.
Master's & Professional Degrees
MBA, MPA, MSW, M.Ed., nursing, and health professions — including service-based forgiveness.
- AmeriCorps Segal Education Award
Service-based award usable toward graduate tuition or existing student loans.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Nonprofit and government employment can erase remaining balances after 120 qualifying payments.
- TEACH Grant
Up to $4,000 a year for education graduate students who commit to high-need schools.
- AAUW Career Development Grants
Support for women returning to school or changing careers, including MSW, MPA, and education.
- FAFSA — Graduate Students
Still required for federal work-study, grad PLUS, and most institutional aid. File it every year.
Faith & Community Leadership
Seminary, ministry, nonprofit, and social-impact funding.
- Fund for Theological Education (Forum for Theological Exploration)
Fellowships for Black and other underrepresented students pursuing ministry and theological scholarship.
- Lilly Endowment Programs
Grants supporting pastoral leadership, congregational ministry, and religion scholarship.
- UNCF Graduate Programs
Filter for graduate-level awards and leadership fellowships.
- Echoing Green Fellowship
Seed funding and coaching for social-impact and community leaders launching new work.
- Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Scholarships and policy fellowships for students committed to community advancement.
International & Prestige Awards
Nationally competitive awards that require campus endorsement — start 12–18 months early.
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Study, research, or teach abroad for a year. Campus deadlines fall in late summer.
- Rhodes Scholarship
Fully funded graduate study at Oxford. Requires institutional endorsement.
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Full-cost postgraduate study at Cambridge for students committed to improving others' lives.
- Marshall Scholarship
Two years of graduate study anywhere in the UK.
- Schwarzman Scholars
Fully funded master's in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
The Graduate Funding Calendar
Identify 8–12 target programs. Email graduate coordinators and ask: what share of students are fully funded, and for how many years?
Contact your campus fellowships office. Prestige awards (Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall) require institutional endorsement with internal deadlines.
Peak national deadline season: NSF GRFP, Ford, Fulbright, GEM. Draft the research statement and personal statement now.
Program applications plus FAFSA. Many assistantships are awarded to applicants who applied by the priority deadline.
Offers arrive. Compare total funded cost, not sticker price — then negotiate using competing offers.