Students are encouraged to apply for national competitive fellowships. Award recipients who are successful in obtaining a competitive fellowship may be eligible for a merit award. Below are the fellowships most commonly applied for by DBBS students.
The AHA Predoctoral Fellowship is a one-to-two-year fellowship for pre-doctoral students who intend to pursue careers in biomedical and medical research, medicine, and/or clinical investigation focused on improving global cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and brain health. Accepted fellows receive a stipend and health insurance coverage.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be a current full-time student in biomedical and/or medical post-baccalaureate program with an emphasis on research
- Must be a current member of the AHA
The ASM Future Leaders Mentoring Fellowship is a two-year fellowship for masters’ and doctoral students from underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing career trajectories in microbial biosciences and microbiology and are seeking mentoring and leadership development and training. Accepted fellows receive travel stipends and a year of membership in ASM.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be a current full-time student in a biomedical graduate program with a focus on microbiology and the microbial biosciences
- Must be a current member of the ASM
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, DACA-eligible, or an international student
- Be able to make a two-year commitment to the program
The ORISE Research Participation Program at the DoD offers a wide variety of research opportunities across STEM disciplines that are open to current students as well as postgraduate and post-doctoral scholars. Each program within ORISE has its own stipend and timelines.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be a current student OR have completed a terminal degree within five (5) years of application – varies by program
- Must be a U.S. citizen or hold appropriate immigration status – varies by program
The Ford Foundation Fellowship programs seek to increase and improve diversity in higher education faculties by supporting underrepresented students who are seeking careers in academia and/or research at colleges and universities. Fellowships are available for predoctoral students, students completing their dissertation, and post-doctoral scholars. Accepted fellows receive a stipend and are invited to attend the Conference of Ford Fellows.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be a U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident, DACA-eligible, Indigenous students (referencing Jay Treaty of 1794), individuals granted Temporary Protected Status, asylees, or refugees
- Must demonstrate superior academic achievement (i.e., GPA, class rank, etc.)
- Must be committed to a career in teaching and research at the college/university level
The GEM Fellowship Program offers five-year fellowships to doctoral-level underrepresented students in engineering and applied science programs (e.g., data science, environmental science) who are seeking career trajectories in industry as well as academia. Accepted fellows receive a year of stipend support and a guaranteed paid summer work experience with a GEM Employer Member.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be a current graduate student in an engineering or applied science program at a GEM Member University (WashU is one!)
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Self-identify as underrepresented minority in STEM (as defined by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Native American/First Nations
- African American/Black
- Latinx
The NDSEG Fellowship program is designed to increase the overall number of Americans earning doctoral degrees in science and engineering disciplines, particularly those of military importance. The fellowship is a three-year award and open to current graduate students. Accepted fellows receive an annual stipend, tuition assistance, and health coverage.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be a U.S. citizen, natural (i.e., native residents of U.S. territories – Guam, American Samoa, etc.), or hold dual U.S. citizenship
- Must be within first two years of doctoral program
- Must be engaged in an NDSEG discipline (e.g., biosciences, cognitive/neural/behavioral science)
NOTE: Check the NIH website for the most current opportunities
The NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Fellowships support mentored research training of promising doctoral students in biosciences and biomedical programs. Additionally, there is a separate Kirschstein NRSA Fellowship for underrepresented students in science. All accepted fellows receive an annual stipend and training/mentoring opportunities.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Must be a current student in a doctoral research program
- Must identify as a member of an underrepresented group in STEM (diversity-specific F31 only)
- Persons of certain ethnic/racial identities (Black, Native American/Alaska Native), Latinx, Pacific Islander)
- Persons with disabilities
- Persons from disadvantaged backgrounds (socioeconomic)
- Women
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program seeks to broaden the participation of Americans in science and engineering by supporting outstanding students in the early stages of their graduate careers and especially students from traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM. The fellowship is five years with three years of financial support. Accepted fellows receive an annual stipend for three years and professional development opportunities.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident
- Intend to pursue a research-based Master’s or PhD program in a GRFP-supported field
- Be enrolled in an eligible program at an accredited United States graduate institution, with a US campus, by fall following selection
- Have completed no more than one academic year of full-time graduate study (or the equivalent)
The Soros Fellowships for New Americans support the education of immigrants and children of immigrants who are pursuing graduate education in the United States. The fellowship is a two-year award and is open to students who are in the application process or are first-year students enrolled in a graduate program. Accepted fellows receive financial support for tuition as well as an annual stipend.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Must be an immigrant or child of non-U.S. citizen immigrants
- Must be 30 years of age or younger
- Must be within first two years of graduate program OR be in the process of applying to graduate programs at the time of application
To locate other agencies that might fund your area of research go to the sites listed below.
Some have search tools for you to enter various criteria (such as citizenship, area of research interest, etc.). When the information is submitted, the search results will display agencies that provide support based on the criteria entered.