Funding Sponsored by the Graduate School

COVES is a 12-week summer fellowship program (May-August) operated by the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine (the Academy) and open to STEM graduate students.

During the program, fellows will be trained in science policy and science communication, spend time in legislative offices, executive agencies or companies and nonprofits in the state, and will be paired with an Academy mentor and involved in briefings, meetings and the Academy’s annual summit in August. 

More information can be found in this overview. 

Who can apply: The program is open to current science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) graduate students (master’s and doctoral).

How to apply: Prospective fellows must complete a Graduate School Fellowship Nomination Form, and the COVES fellowship application form. Applicants should include a resume or CV, names and contact information for two professional references, a letter of support from their advisor, Science Policy in Virginia summary, Diversity Statement, and a personal statement, details of which are on the application. All documents can be uploaded into the google nomination in PDF format.

The university will choose three nominations from among applicants to forward to the Academy, whose advisory board will select one fellow.

Time commitment: Fellows must agree to the full-time commitment the program requires.

Compensation: Each fellow receives a $11,000 stipend.

Deadline: March 10, 2023.

The Cunningham Fellowship is funded by the Cunningham Fund with the purpose of attracting top-quality students to choose Virginia Tech for their graduate work. Incoming students who represent extraordinary recruitment opportunities are eligible to receive these fellowships. 

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must: 

• Have an outstanding academic record and strong potential for completing a graduate degree
  
• Be admitted to a degree-granting graduate program at Virginia Tech 
  
• Be nominated by the admitting   department/program
  

Funding

• One-time bonus of $7,500 to supplement assistantship stipend offered by nominating unit, to be paid as a lump sum once the student is enrolled and the first semester drop deadline is passed (or the semester is underway)
• The nominating unit commits that their assistantship stipend will be provided at the level customary for the department/program and student's status.

Nominations

• There will be three “waves” of nominations due on: Jan 15, Feb 15, Mar 1. 
  
• Nominations will be considered and approved on a rolling basis.
  
• Academic departments may submit a nomination packet through the Fellowship Nomination Form that includes the following information:
  
  • Applicant’s name
    
  • Virginia Tech degree the applicant is seeking
    
  • Previous university
    
  • Recommendation letter from the department addressing eligibility requirements, including such elements as academic performance and any research productivity
    
  • Statement from department confirming assistantship offer amount 
    
• Decisions will be made within 15 days of nomination deadlines.
  
• Students must accept VT’s offer of admission by April 15.
  
• Funds are not transferable to another candidate.

Award will be $3,000 per year for students preparing for a career in higher education, actively engaged with transformative graduate education initiatives.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a current Virginia Tech graduate student
  
• Must have taken GRAD courses or participated in transformative graduate education activities
  
• Nomination from a faculty member or department
  

Funding

• One-time fellowship payment of $3,000 paid at the beginning of the Fall semester

Nominations

Academic departments must submit a Fellowship Nomination Form by April 1 which includes the following information:

• Letter of recommendation describing the student’s notable academic merit, active engagement with TGE initiative and financial need, if applicable
  
• Departments can submit multiple nominations
  

The David W. Francis and Lillian Francis Scholarship Fund was established to provide graduate fellowships in research that emphasizes longer, safer, and healthier lives. The disciplines designated in the endowment include agriculture, engineering, bioinformatics, plant pathology, wood science and forest products, veterinary medicine, and biotechnology.

Eligibility Requirements

• For Ph.D. students in their final year of research
• Research that emphasizes “longer, safer, and healthier lives”
• Nomination from an academic department

Funding

• $24,000 stipend
  
• In-state tuition for one academic year
  
• The fellowship does not provide out-of-state tuition assistance
  

Nominations

•  Academic departments must submit a Fellowship Nomination Form by April 1 which includes the following information:

  • Letter of support from the academic unit
  • Letter from the faculty advisor(s)
  • Description of the student’s academic work
  • Synopsis of the student’s research and its relevance to the topic

Dean's Diversity Assistantships are funding opportunities focused on recruiting underrepresented students.

Eligibility Requirements

• For Master’s and Doctoral students
• Preference is given to students who did not attend Virginia Tech for their undergraduate degree
• Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering their first year of graduate study

Funding

• Regular departmental assistantship stipend
• In-state tuition (and out-of-state waiver as needed)
• Students must pay their own comprehensive fees

Nominations

• Maximum of three nominations per department
• Nominations must be made by a faculty member with a Virginia Tech PID and password
• Nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 3. Use this link to access the Nomination form.
• For more information, contact the Director of Recruitment, Diversity and Inclusion, Shernita Lee, at (540) 231-6529.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a Virginia Tech graduate student enrolled in graduate studies
• Nomination from a faculty member or department

Funding

• One-time fellowship payment of $2,500 paid at the beginning of the fall semester

Nominations

• Academic departments must submit a Fellowship Nomination Form by April 1 which includes the following information:
  • Letter of recommendation describing the student’s notable academic merit and financial need, if applicable.
• Departments may submit multiple nominations.

By providing up to 5 in-state tuition scholarships annually and out-of-state tuition waivers for the entire duration of a degree program under Fulbright sponsorship, the Graduate School supports the enrollment of Fulbright students to  increase the diversity of the graduate student body at the program and/or university level;  encourage the enrollment of externally-funded students at Virginia Tech; and allow students and departments to get to know one another in the first year of study while identifying other source(s) of funding for subsequent years. 

Eligibility:

• Must be admitted into a graduate degree program under Fulbright program sponsorship (DS-2019 form issued by IIE, LASPAU or other Fulbright organization or affiliate)
• Must be nominated for Graduate School support by academic department/program (self-nominations from students are not accepted)
• Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4-point scale)
• Enroll in 12-18 credit hours in fall and spring semesters. Summer enrollment is not required. 

Financial support from the Graduate School:

• Out-of-state tuition waiver each semester for all Fulbright students as long as they remain under Fulbright program sponsorship
• Up to five in-state tuition scholarships to select Fulbright students, covering the in-state tuition and applicable program fee for the fall and spring semesters. The in-state tuition award is valid for one year and is not transferable, nor renewable. Award decisions are made in spring (March-May) for students starting in August, based on:
  • Strong departmental support
  • Priority identified by Fulbright
  • Student’s program objective and country of origin (only one scholarship may be offered per program)      

Nominations:

• Academic departments may request the one-year in-state tuition scholarship by completing the Fulbright Support Request Form between November 1 and May 15. Only one in-state tuition scholarship may be offered per department/program. 
• In the request include:
  
  • Applicant’s name
  • Degree and level of the applicant 
  • Department contact
  • Explanation of the department's interest in recruiting the student and potential departmental support beyond the first year
• Award decisions are made in one or two rounds between March and May. 
• Students can be re-nominated if they were not selected for a previous academic year.

Other:

• Fulbright students are not subject to the university health insurance requirement, though they may purchase the university-endorsed student insurance plan. The Student Medical Insurance Office is unable to bill Fulbright directly for the insurance.
• For more information email gradfinance@vt.edu

Eligibility Requirements

• Virginia Tech master’s and doctoral level students in the College of Natural Resources and Environment or the College of Science
• Notable academic merit
• Demonstrated financial need by submitting a FAFSA to the Office of Financial Aid 
  
• U.S. citizenship

Funding

• One-year fellowship awarded per academic year
  
• $25,000 stipend
• The fellowship does not provide any tuition assistance
  

Nominations

• Academic departments must submit a Fellowship Nomination Form by April 1 which includes the following information:
  • Faculty letters of recommendation describing the student's notable academic and research merit
• One fellowship awarded per academic year
• Departments can submit multiple nominations

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a Virginia Tech graduate student enrolled in graduate studies
  
• Nomination from faculty member or department
  

Funding

• $35,000 stipend for the academic year
  
• The fellowship does not provide any tuition assistance.
  

Nominations

• Academic departments must submit a Fellowship Nomination Form by April 1 which includes the following information:
  • Faculty letters of recommendation describing the student's notable academic merit and financial need, if applicable.
• Departments can submit multiple nominations
  

Virginia Tech is a member of the GEM Consortium. GEM's mission is to enhance the value of the nation's human capital by increasing the participation of underrepresented minorities (American Indian, African American, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and other Hispanic Americans) at the master's and doctoral levels in engineering and science. For more information on GEM or if you receive inquiries about application fee-waivers, contact Shernita Lee at 540/231-6529. We ask faculty and staff to encourage eligible Virginia Tech undergraduates to apply for funding through GEM.

MS Fellowship Program

• Stipend of up to $16,000 over three semesters
• Full tuition and fees for four semesters
• Two 12-week summer internships with a sponsoring GEM member company

Ph.D. Engineering Fellowship Program

• Minimum of $14,000 academic-year stipend for up to the fifth year
• Full tuition and fees (paid by the university)
• 12-week summer internship with sponsoring GEM member employer
• Fellow must accept a research or teaching assistantship after the first year

Ph.D. Science Fellowship Program

• Minimum $14,000 academic year stipend for up to the fifth year
• Full tuition and fees (paid by the university)
• 12-week summer internship with sponsoring GEM member employer
• Fellow must accept a research or teaching assistantship after the first year

GEM Applicant List

The application deadline is November 15 (early consideration: October 1). The applicant list will be available in November/December. Departments will receive names of applicants for focused recruitment. Please feel free to contact the student and invite them to learn more about your program and give them contact information for the department.

Eligibility Requirements

• For Master’s and Doctoral level students who were Ronald E. McNair Scholars as undergraduates
• Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering their first year of graduate study

Funding

• One-year assistantship, with departmental matching funding required for the second year
• Assistantship stipend determined by department
  
• In-state tuition (and out-of-state waivers as needed)
• Students must pay their own comprehensive fees

Nominations

• One award per academic year
• Nominations by a faculty or staff member by 11:59 p.m. on March 17. Use this link to access the nomination form.
• For more information, contact Director of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion, Shernita Lee, 540/231-6529

Peacock-Harper Culinary History Friends Scholarships: 
Two awards of $1,500, if only one qualified applicant is selected, $3,000 for that applicant.

Awarded by the Peacock-Harper Culinary History Committee, these scholarships honor Janet Cameron and Jean Allen Phillips, who were visionaries, exemplary teachers, passionate about health and nutrition, and dedicated to student success. Selected candidate(s) are welcome to present and share their research after completion of their thesis/dissertation. 

• Before applying, applicants must schedule a visit with University Librarian Kiera Dietz (details are in the application). Applicants will be asked to discuss the meeting and how the collection may be used in current or planned research.
• Preference is given to applicants whose scholarly pursuits encompass topics related to material in the Peacock-Harper Culinary History Collection in the University Library's Special Collections section. Research and interests may include human nutrition and foods, culinary history, agricultural history, family nutrition or family nutrition history, food culture, household equipment, kitchen design, social history, ethnic traditions, gender studies, or other related topics. If applicants have not outlined a thesis or dissertation yet, they should have interests that encompass topics related to material in the Collection.
• Recipients will be required to write a thank you letter to the Committee

Criteria for consideration:

• Applicants must be a Virginia Tech graduate student in good standing who have demonstrated leadership and service activities.
• Include a letter of recommendation from someone familiar with applicant’s strengths and abilities

The application is available on Scholarship Central under the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences from August 31, 2022 – January 30, 2023.

1. Sign into Scholarship Central at https://vt.academicworks.com/ and complete the General Application.
2. Once you submit the General Application, you will gain access to the CALS Application.  
3. Once you have completed the CALS Scholarship application, you can access HNFE-specific scholarship applications through the “Opportunities” tab and selecting “Ours” in the drop-down menu to utilize the search bar.
4. Please contact Cindy Beatty, CALS Scholarship Coordinator, at beatty@vt.edu with questions regarding the application process.

Eligibility Requirements

• Undergraduate degree must have been completed at Virginia Tech
• Must be a current Virginia Tech master’s student
• M.S.-to-Ph.D. program students are not eligible
• Must be a permanent resident or U.S. Citizen
• Nomination from a faculty member or department

Funding

• One-time fellowship payment of $2,000 paid at the beginning of the Fall semester

Nominations

• Academic departments must submit a Fellowship Nomination Form by April 1 which includes the following information:
  • Letter of recommendation describing the student’s notable academic merit and financial need, if applicable
• Preference given to out-of-state students. In-state students will be considered if there are not any out-of-state applicants
  
• Preference given to College of Science master’s degree students in even years
• Preference given to Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering master’s degree students in odd years
• Departments may submit multiple nominations

Eligibility Requirements

• Master’s and doctoral-level students who are long-term Virginia residents (attended high school in Virginia)
• Must demonstrate financial need by submitting a FAFSA
  
• to the Financial Aid Office
• Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents entering their first year of graduate study

Funding

• $20,000 stipend
• In-state tuition for one year
• Students must pay their own comprehensive fees

Nominations

• Two awards are granted each academic year
• One nomination is allowed per department
• Nominations by a faculty member are to be sent to the Director of Recruiting, Diversity, and Inclusion. Use this link to access the nomination form
  
• Nominations due by 11:59 p.m. March 24

​Please note that faculty are encouraged to nominate prospective students who add to the diversity of the department, such as students who are traditionally underrepresented in your field/discipline. This may include first generation, low income, racial/ethnic minorities, and women in STEM.

For more information, contact Shernita Lee at (540) 231-6529.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a current Virginia Tech graduate student 
• Nomination from a faculty member or department
• Must have taken GRAD courses or participated in transformative graduate education (TGE) activities

Funding

• One-time fellowship payment of $1,000 paid at the beginning of the Fall semester

Nominations

Academic departments must submit a Fellowship Nomination Form by April 1 which includes the following information:

• Letter of recommendation describing the student’s notable academic merit, active engagement with the transformative graduate education (TGE) initiative, and financial need, if applicable
• Departments may submit multiple nominations