Consider Fellowships
A fellowship is a funding award given to recipients to finance their academic and professional endeavors. In academia, a fellowship typically refers to a merit-based award for an advanced study of an academic discipline. Fellowships can help support students’ tuition for their graduate and postgraduate education. They are awarded based on a student’s potential to make a positive and long-term impact in their field of study.
There are several benefits to participating in a fellowship such as expanding your support network, undergoing experiential learning, strengthening professional development, and developing multicultural competency. Fellowships often cover tuition costs and provide a monthly stipend. Fellowships are time-limited and vary in length of award, ranging from a few weeks to several years.
Sponsors of fellowships include associations, organizations, institutions, and governments, all with varying eligibility requirements. Be sure to check the sponsor’s website for details about the fellowship’s requirements.
A scholarship is a type of financial aid awarded to recipients to support further education. It can cover such things as tuition fees, books, accommodation, and other educational expenses. Scholarships are typically awarded on a basis of criteria including merit, diversity and inclusion, financial need, and skillset (namely athletic skills). Recipients either apply for a scholarship or automatically qualify based on the set criteria. Scholarships are a form of monetary gift that require no repayment. They come from various organizations including state and federal governments, colleges and universities, private donors, and foundations. They are awarded to both undergraduates and graduates, more widely known to incoming students as part of their admissions package.
Scholarship Opportunities:
A grant is a form of financial aid that is awarded to a project rather than an individual. Typically, a government, company, foundation, organization, or individual will provide a grant dedicated to a specific purpose including research, community service, educational advancement, and social justice.
Grants cover expenses related to specific projects such as research, conferences, training, and community initiatives. Grant recipients include organizations, institutions, and project teams. Unlike loans, grants do not need to be repaid. The financial support that grants provide enables individuals and organizations to harness their goals and make a positive societal impact.
A fellowship typically focuses on a student’s professional development and academic studies. Fellowship recipients often are graduate and postgraduate students who are seeking to make advancements in their academic field.
Internships, on the other hand, focus on students gaining entry-level experience in industry such as exploring different work environments. Internships typically have an intended audience of undergraduate students but can be open to graduate and postgraduate students. Depending on the internship, it can be unpaid or paid or provide academic credits instead of monetary compensation. Visit this page for more information on the importance of paid vs. unpaid internships.
Like fellowships, scholarships can be merit-based. Scholarships can also be awarded based on financial need. Both undergraduate and graduate students can receive scholarships. Also similar to fellowships, scholarships come from various organizations including state and federal governments, colleges and universities, private donors, and foundations.
Unlike fellowships, grants are typically awarding financial aid to a project rather than an individual. Grants cover expenses related to specific projects such as research, conferences, training, and community initiatives. Grant recipients include organizations, institutions, and project teams.
Types of fellowships
- Undergraduate
Undergraduate fellowships can support a variety of activities such as independent or project-based research, development of new community-based organizations, specific training, and opportunities to explore a specific field. A type of undergraduate fellowship is the senior research fellowship which is used to provide additional funding for experienced researchers. It allows students the opportunity to lead an independent research project. - Graduate
A graduate fellowship provides financial assistance in pursuit of an advanced degree. This type of fellowship can also been known as a predoctoral fellowship. This support can be in the form of cost-of-living stipends, health insurance, tuition, and expenses tied to professional development such as a participating in a conference or seminar. - Postgraduate
A postgraduate (postdoctoral) fellowship offers further training post-doctorate degree before landing a full-time role. A postdoctoral fellowship may cover the complete expense or subsidize the costs of research. Postdoctoral fellows often engage in academic activities such as research and teaching. Review the Postdoc Search Guide for how to navigate the postdoc search. A medical fellowship is a type of postgraduate fellowship reserved for physicians who have completed medical school and residency in their medical specialty. This type of fellowship allows doctors to specialize in certain areas of healthcare by covering the cost of specialized training.
