Student Fellowships & Awards

The National Institute of Health (NIH) Ruth L Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award  (F31) enables promising predoctoral students with potential to develop into a productive, independent research scientists, to obtain mentored research training while conducting dissertation research.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recognizes outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions. GRFP provides up to three years of support for those at the beginning of their graduate career and individuals seeking to reenter graduate studies following an interruption of at least two consecutive years.

The National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship  is awarded to US citizens and nationals who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in one of fifteen supported discplines. Proof of citizenship will be required upon formal offer. Eligible applicants are enrolled in their final year of undergraduate studies through the second year of a traditional PhD program, as well as dual MD-PhD students.

The Hertz Graduate Fellowship Award is a merit-based award available to first-year PhD graduate students (or MD/PhD program students in their PhD phase of training) who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States. The award consists of a cost-of-education allowance and a personal-support stipend. Successful applicants have the choice of two Fellowship options: 

Option 1 - Funding from Hertz Foundation only 

• $38,000/9-month personal stipend 

• Full tuition equivalent 

• Renewable annually for up to 5 years 

• $5,000/year additional stipend for fellows with dependent children 

Option 2 - Coordination with Other Major Fellowship 

• Often Hertz awardees are also chosen to receive fellowship support from other sources. Hertz supports acceptance of multiple awards and coordinates with those awarding organizations or institutions to make sure you can take advantage of each offer and receive the maximum possible compensation. 

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study  support exceptional graduate students who are committed to increasing diversity among scientific leaders, especially those students who will go on to become faculty members at colleges and universities. The Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study program promotes excellence in the life sciences and related fields by supporting PhD students committed to a career in academic research, and faculty and training programs dedicated to developing the talents of promising graduate students from underrepresented groups. 

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans supports thirty new Americans, immigrants or the children of immigrants, who are pursuing graduate school in the United States. The competition is merit-based. Selection criteria emphasize creativity, originality, initiative, and sustained accomplishment. The program values a commitment to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The program does not have any quotas for types of degrees, universities or programs, countries of origin, or gender, etc.  

Various Institutes at NIH support outstanding Ph.D. and other Research Doctoral candidates completing their dissertation research training (F99 phase) and transition in a timely manner to mentored, cancer-focused postdoctoral career development research positions (K00 phase). Applicants for the F99 should be 3rd - or 4th-year graduate students nominated by their institutions. More information on may be be found at:

• NIH Grants and Funding (F99/K00) Program Page
• National Cancer Institute (NCI) (F99/K00) Award 
• National Institute on Aging (NIA) F99/K00 Award Page