Presidential Graduate Research Fellowships

Note: Faculty and GPOs interested in nominating students should see our Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship Nomination page.

Objective

The Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship program is a tool for significantly enhancing the profiles of Auburn University’s doctoral and terminal (professional) degree graduates as academic and societal leaders. This fellowship program and related efforts are a part of a focused initiative to enhance Auburn University’s research and scholarly profile by attracting outstanding students for doctoral studies.

The fellowships are to be offered to a select number of highly qualified new student applicants (current Auburn undergraduate or master’s students or new external applicants) that intend to pursue doctoral and terminal professional degrees in established and emerging areas of excellence. Fellowship recipients will bring exemplary levels of scholarship and innovation to the academic departments who host their study and research. Full fellowship funding is guaranteed up to three years of doctoral study, and subject to the performance and continuation guidelines as set out in the Graduate Assistant handbook.

Program Description

Annually, each of Auburn’s 12 colleges can award new fellowships to begin in the Fall semester of each academic year. The number of available fellowships may vary across colleges and in any academic year. Each award will consist of a $15,000 Presidential Fellowship, along with a minimum $7,000 Dean’s Fellowship, and a minimum $15,000 graduate research assistantship, along with a graduate tuition waiver. Each award will be for three years. Additional financial support may be provided in subsequent years by the fellow’s department and college/school.

*Please note that the Graduate Enrollment Fee and Graduate Student Fees are not covered by this fellowship.

Funding and Expectations

For each fellowship, $15,000 in annual funding support will come from the President’s Office. Academic units are responsible for the remaining cost (minimum GRA stipend cost of $15,000 per year or the college/dept. minimum – whichever is greater, and Dean’s Fellowship of $7,000 per year along with a graduate tuition/waiver for each of the fellowship recipients. Graduate student fees are not included in this fellowship. Colleges should increase the stipend and Dean’s Fellowship using their own funds above the minimum as they deem appropriate to be most competitive. Recipients will carry the title of Presidential Graduate Research Fellows.

• Nominees cannot be already enrolled in a doctoral or terminal professional degree program at Auburn University.
• Fellowship recipients must adhere to the terms and conditions for a graduate research assistant position in order to retain the doctoral fellowship.
• Fellowship recipients must be enrolled full time (9 hours for Fall and Spring semesters and at least one hour for summer semester; international student requirements may differ).
• Fellows must make satisfactory annual progress towards the degree as determined by the Graduate School, the student’s department chair, and the student’s major professor.
• Fellows are required to participate in at least one professional development opportunity per semester as offered by the Graduate School.
• If a doctoral fellow requires more than three years for graduate degree completion, the home department/college is responsible for additional funding for further support.
• Should a doctoral fellow graduate, change degree programs, or leave the university, the fellowship will terminate.
• Colleges can specify their own additional expectations/requirements for fellows within their units.

The financial support package will consist of a student stipend, matching fellowships, and tuition and fee support. A breakdown of the various elements is as follows.

Living and Education Expenses

Tuition and Fees

A full graduate student tuition waiver (both in-state and out-of-state) will be provided by the respective college of each fellowship recipient. Graduate student fees are not included in this fellowship.

Nomination and Selection

To be eligible for consideration for a fellowship, prospective students must meet the previously outlined criteria, have applied or been accepted to the graduate school, and be nominated by the respective college dean (or their designee) for the program the student intends to pursue. Each college sets their own nomination and notification deadlines internally. Read more on the Presidential Graduate Fellowship Nomination page.

For more information or to show your interest in being nominated for a fellowship, please contact the Associate Dean for Research of your respective college.