Fellowships, scholarships, and grants

As a graduate student in CEHD, you may be eligible for fellowships, grants, and scholarships from the University of Minnesota, from our college, and from your academic department.

University-wide fellowships, grants, and scholarships are administered through the UMN’s Graduate School and are based on merit.

CEHD offers college-specific fellowships and scholarships to both incoming and current graduate students. For College scholarships and awards, please see the list below.

Additionally, CEHD offers college-specific funding to students pursuing teacher licensure through our initial licensure/M.Ed. programs.

For scholarships and awards administered in your academic department, please check with your department’s Graduate Programs staff.

For incoming graduate students

CEHD Graduate Student Fellowship

  • A highly competitive one-year fellowship including full tuition, pay stipend, and health insurance.
  • Newly admitted Ph.D. students from outside the University of Minnesota are eligible.
  • If selected, recipients are expected to make considerable progress in their programs. Expected course load is 9-12 graduate credits per semester, with cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Students do not apply directly for the fellowship, but are nominated by faculty in their graduate program.

Hauge Fellowship

  • Amount: Each department/school receives $1,900 (divided up at department discretion).
  • Criteria: Full-time new or current graduate students in any CEHD department or program are eligible.
  • Contact: All questions should be directed to the department/school.

For current graduate students

Bruininks-Hagstrum Endowed Fellowship Fund (EDPSY Only)

  • Amount: $4,000 (divided up at department discretion)
  • Criteria: Current full-time graduate student with study emphasis in educational policy and reform of educational and human services programs that focus on children and youth with special learning needs.
  • Contact: All questions should be directed to the department.

Seashore Graduate Fellowship

  • Amount: Two awards of $3,000
  • Deadline: March 28, 2024
  • Contact: Michael DallaValle, Dean's Office
  • Email: mdallava@umn.edu
  • Criteria: Applicants must be doctoral students enrolled in the Graduate School for the academic year in which the award will be made. An applicant’s research interests should focus on issues of broad social inquiry problems, social and cultural change, or social justice. The applicant's dissertation topic should be approved at the time of this award and evidence of a strong academic record should be evident. Only students enrolled full-time are eligible.
  • Application: Please email the following information to cehdgfs@umn.edu in one document (word or PDF)
    1. A one-page personal statement that outlines why you are a candidate for this award. This may include your personal and academic history, research and teaching interests, and anything else you feel is pertinent for the selection committee to know
    2. Resume or curriculum vita (not to exceed two pages)
    3. Names of two academic references we can contact.
    *All applicants will receive a notification letter regardless of your status.

Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Circle Graduate Awards

Alumni Society Advanced Study scholarship

  • Amount: Each department/school receives $2,500 (divided up at department discretion).
  • Criteria: Full-time new or current graduate students enrolled in any masters or doctoral program. (This does not include ILP students).
  • Contact: All questions should be directed to the department/school.

Private support and external funding resources

The terms ‘private support’ and ‘external funding’ refer to funding sources that are not affiliated with the University of Minnesota. Locating and applying to these sources of funding may take some time but can be well-worth the effort.

If you are interested in researching your own fellowship, grant, and scholarship opportunities, we recommend using the Foundation Center’s database.

Graduate Student Fellowship and Scholarship Opportunities

Some examples of national and local funding opportunities include*:

The Abe Fellowship

The Abe Fellowship is designed to encourage international multidisciplinary research on topics of pressing global concern. This competition is open to citizens of the United States and Japan as well as to nationals of other countries who can demonstrate strong and serious long-term affiliations with research communities in Japan or the United States.

American Indian College Fund (AICF)

Disburses approximately 6,000 scholarships annually for American Indian students seeking to better their lives through higher education.

American Philosophical Society Phillips Fund for Native American Research

Provides grants for graduate students completing research in Native American linguistics, ethnohistory and the history of studies of Native Americans, in the continental United States and Canada.

American Psychological Association Predoctoral Fellowship in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

This fellowship is aimed at those pursuing doctoral degrees in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, or other behavioral health services areas.

American Association of University Women Foundation

Administers various scholarship programs. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, open/close dates and required documents.

Ford Foundation Fellowship Programs

The Ford Foundation seeks to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students

Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship

The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation offers one of the most comprehensive fellowship programs in the nation for STEM teachers starting their first or second year of teaching. Find out how you can apply to be part of this amazing national network of math and science teachers.

Minnesota Social Service Association Scholarship

The purpose of this graduate scholarship is to enhance the educational and professional development of those seeking graduate education in the health and human service field.

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Provides fellowships for graduate students in all fields of study who are permanent residents, naturalized citizens or children of naturalized citizen parents.

Robbinsdale Association of Retired Educators (RARE) Scholarship

Applicant must have a connection with Robbinsdale schools (ISD 281), such as a former student, teacher, or current district resident. Applications are due in the spring, usually early May. For more information, contact Don Hanson (952-474-4411) or Stu Stockhaus (763-537-3181).

* These opportunities are subject to change. Please check directly with the sponsoring organization for eligibility and requirements.