Graduate Fellowships

This page has information about university and external awards of interest to department graduate students, listed in order of deadlines. There is also a list at the end of other opportunities (AAS, Grad School, and department awards) and a list of previous award winners. We will endeavor to keep this page up to date, but updates are welcome and can be sent to the department webmaster.

Be aware that it is often possible for you to receive a supplement to a full fellowship to bring the fellowship's stipend up to our department's standard GA stipend if the latter is higher.

Rolling or Unknown Deadlines

January

  • AAS International Travel Grant
    Airfare to international conferences for grad students and scientists. Deadline early Jan.
  • Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship
    For grad students at selected institutions (including UMD) in any discipline with financial need and outstanding undergrad records; U.S. citizens only. Award of $18k plus tuition for up to 3 years (2018). Deadline for application to Grad School early Jan.
  • Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) National Fellowships Program
    For women grad students and early-career researchers in the natural sciences (any citizenship). Awards vary, up to $10k for research-related equipment, travel, and publications. Deadline early Jan.
  • AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
    For college seniors, grad students, and 1st-yr postdocs (any citizenship). 10 week summer session working as a reporter, researcher, and/or production assistant in mass media organizations nationwide. Weekly stipend of $500 + travel (2018). Deadline mid-Jan.
  • Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Programs
    For undergrads and grad students (U.S. citizens). 8-12 week summer internships at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sample topics include solar flares, instrumentation, and tracking/identification of satellites. Stipend $900-1100/wk. Deadline late Jan. to early Feb.
  • Chateaubriand Fellowship, France
    For doctoral students and postdocs (any citizenship) to conduct research in France for 4 to 9 months. Includes a stipend, round-trip ticket to France, and health insurance. Applications available in October. Deadline mid Jan.
  • DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF)
    For college seniors and 1st year grad students; U.S. citizen or perm. resident; science/engineering research using high-performance computation. Includes 12-week practicum at a DOE lab. Four years, $36k annual stipend plus tuition and an annual allowance for research expenses. Deadline mid-Jan.
  • UMD Flagship Fellowships
    Intended to help graduate programs to recruit and retain truly exceptional students. Flagship Fellowships are multi-year enhancement awards to be added to fellowship/assistantship offers made by graduate programs. Flagship Fellowship enhancements may total $50k per student over the duration of the award. c. 10 awards/yr. Deadline late Jan.

February

  • UMD Adele's Circle of Women Scholarship
    For students who advance the role of women and girls in their academic studies, extracurricular activities, and/or hope to do such in their professional lives. For full-time UMD students. One graduate student will receive a $500 award. Deadline early Feb.
  • Blue Waters Graduate Fellowships
    For PhD students who are engaged in a program of study and research that is directly relevant to the use of the Blue Waters supercomputer. 1 year, $38k stipend, up to $12,000 in tuition allowance, an allocation on the powerful Blue Waters petascale computing system, and funds to support travel to a Blue Waters-sponsored symposium. Deadline early Feb.
  • UMD Ronald E. McNair Graduate Fellowship
    For entering PhD students who are alums of a McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. Funding package of up to $40k spread over 5 years (2018). Reduces TA workload in some semesters. Deadline early-mid Feb.
  • UMD Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship
    For grad students in the final stages of writing their dissertation. c. 50 awards. 1 semester, $15k stipend + tuition + fees (but doesn't cover health insurance). Deadline for nomination to Grad School mid Feb.
  • SPIE Optics and Photonics Education Scholarship
    For SPIE members ($20 student membership cost) studying in optics, photonics or a related field. Awards range from $2,500 to $11,000 and typically support tuition, books, research activities, and other education-related expenses. Deadline mid-Feb.
  • UMD Charles Caramello Distinguished Dissertation Award
    For dissertations submitted to the Grad School in the previous calendar year. $1k award. Deadline for nomination to college typically mid-Feb.

March

  • Maryland Senatorial Scholarship
    For undergrads and grad students; Maryland state residents only. Annual award for up to four years. Deadline early Mar.
  • Dr. Mabel S. Spencer Award
    For grad students; must be doctoral candidate by start of the upcoming fall semester. $15k stipend + Candidacy tuition remission if not covered by other tuition remission (2018). Can be supplemented with half-time TA/RA position. Deadline for dept's nomination to Grad School early-mid Mar.
  • UMD Michael J. Pelczar Award
    For doctoral students advanced to candidacy; must demonstrate high level or accomplishment in research as well as excellence beyond course work; must have served at least 1 academic year as a TA. $1,000 stipend. Deadline for dept's nomination to Grad School early-mid Mar.
  • UMD Summer Research Fellowships
    For doctoral students in the period approximately before, during, or after achievement of candidacy. Intended to enable students to prepare for or complete a key benchmark in their program's requirements. $5k stipend, c. 40 awards/yr (2017). (Graduates of the India Institute of Technology can alternatively apply for the Kulkarni Fellowships.) Deadline for dept's nomination to Grad School early Mar.
  • UMD Graduate School Endowed Awards
    The awards have various eligibility requirements and funding levels.
  • AAS Division on Dynamical Astronomy Raynor L. Duncombe Prize for Student Research
    For undergrads and grad students doing research in the area of dynamical astronomy who wish to attend and present at the annual AAS/DDA meeting. (Formerly called the DDA Student Stipend Award.) $600 award plus waiver of registration fees (2018). Up to 3 awards given, deadline Feb.-Mar.
  • Sigma Xi's Grants-in-Aid of Research Program
    For undergrads and grad students; any citizenship; membership in Sigma Xi helpful. Award up to $5k per year for the purchase of non-standard equipment, travel to a research site, and institutional equipment use fees. Deadline mid-Mar. and mid-Oct.
  • NASA Fellowship Activity
    For college seniors and grad students who are 3+ years away from Ph.D.; U.S. citizen or perm. resident. Work with a NASA Technical Adviser on advertised projects, including 10 weeks on-site each summer. Three years, $30k stipend plus up to $20.5k toward tuition, fees, insurance, travel, and other expenses (2017). If information is not yet available at the above link (search for 'Fellowship Activity'), try the links on the page under 'View Solicitations'. Deadline mid-Mar.
  • Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) Internships
    For undergrads and grad students; U.S. citizens only. 10 week summer internship at APL's facility in Laurel in which students contribute to NASA missions and space-related research work. $5.5k-$6.5k stipend (2018). Deadline late Mar.

April

May

  • Lowell Observatory Predoctoral Scholar Fellowship Program
    For students done w/ courses/qual. Collaborations w/ Lowell staff astronomers leading to dissertation from home institution. Two years, renewable for extra years; $25k stipend. Deadlines early May and early Dec.
  • UMD Veterans Scholarships
    Support for students who are veterans of US military service. Deadline May.
  • UMD Bridge to the Doctorate Fellowship
    For grad students entering in the fall who participated in LSAMP undergrad programs; US citizens or permanent residents only. 2-year fellowship. $32k annual stipend plus tuition and fees support. Awarded on a rolling basis; priority deadline late May.

June

  • LSSTC Data Science Fellowship Program
    For grad students interested in LSST (Large Synoptic Survey Telescope) science. Six 1-week workshops over two years, with costs covered. Deadline early June.
  • AAS International Travel Grant
    Airfare to international conferences for grad students and scientists. Deadline early June.
  • The Data Incubator Scholarships
    For grad students and former students who have (generally) completed at least 2 years of grad school and are interested in obtaining a job in the private sector within ~1 year. 8-week workshop in the early fall, with tuition covered. Applications accepted until filled?

July

August

  • Andrew S. Wilson Prize for Excellence in Research
    Astronomy Dept. award to a graduate student nearing completion of the Ph.D. dissertation. The student must be advised by a member of the Department of Astronomy and be applying for jobs in astronomy during the upcoming academic year. $500 award. Annual, deadline typically same as qual date (mid-Aug.).
  • IPAC-Caltech Visiting Graduate Student Fellowship
    For grad students who have completed coursework (any citizenship). This is a Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC) 6-month program for grad students to visit IPAC-Caltech and perform astronomical research in close association with an IPAC scientist. Monthly stipend plus relocation expenses provided. Deadline mid-late Aug.

September

October

  • AAS Rodger Doxsey Travel Prize
    For grad students and postdocs within one year of receiving their PhD to present their dissertation research at a winter AAS meeting. Partial support for travel and room/board. Deadline early Oct.
  • Sigma Xi's Grants-in-Aid of Research Program
    For undergrads and grad students; any citizenship; membership in Sigma Xi helpful. Award up to $5k per year for the purchase of non-standard equipment, travel to a research site, and institutional equipment use fees (2017). Deadline mid-Mar.and early-mid Oct.
  • AAS FAMOUS Travel Grants
    For AAS members to attend a AAS meeting to present their research. Priority given to historically underrepresented groups, including minorities, non-traditional students, and veterans. Up to $1k for travel, meals, and lodging (but not registration). Deadline early Oct.
  • NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF)
    For recent doctoral scientists, usually within ~3 years of Ph.D. (Must receive Ph.D. by start of award.) U.S. citizens or perm. residents. 8-9 awards annually. Up to three years, $69k annual stipend + $31k/yr for related expenses and insurance (2017). Deadline early-mid Oct.
  • Dr. Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund Travel Grant
    For undergrads and grad students in aerospace-related sciences or engineering fields (incl. astronomy) to attend a meeting at which they will present their research. Any citizenship. $500 awards (2017). Deadline early Apr. and mid-Oct.
  • NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
    For college seniors and 1st/2nd year grad students; U.S. citizen or perm. resident. Three years, $34k stipend plus tuition (2017). Deadline late Oct.
  • Hertz Graduate Fellowship
    For college seniors and 1st year grad students pursuing a Ph.D. in applied sciences (incl. astrophysics); U.S. citizen or perm. resident. Renewable up to 5 years, up to $38,000 stipend plus tuition plus support for dependent children (2017). Deadline late Oct.-early Nov.

November

  • Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
    For college seniors and 1st-2nd year grad students who are immigrants (U.S. citizen or perm. res.) or the children of immigrants. 1-2 years, $25k stipend plus 1/2 tuition & fees (2016). Deadline early Nov.
  • Cosmos Club Foundation's Young Scholars Award
    For grad students (any citizenship?) at D.C.-area universities to meet unexpected and otherwise unsupported aspects of their research in any field. Awards between $500-$4000 for research-related equipment and some travel (2017). Deadline early Nov.
  • NASA Space Technology Research Fellowship (NSTRF)
    For college seniors and 1st-3rd year grad students; U.S. citizen or perm. resident. Work at a NASA Center, with a focus on space technology. Four years, total annual award up to $46k plus funds for tuition and insurance (2017). Deadline early Nov.
  • GEM Fellowship Program
    For minority students who are college seniors planning to enroll in grad school or 1st/2nd year grad students; U.S. citizen or perm. resident. One year, $16k stipend plus tuition, fees, and a paid summer internship (2017). Deadline mid-Nov.
  • Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship
    For women grad students in aerospace-related sciences and engineering (any citizenship). Recent winners have included planetary astronomers. 1-2 years; $10k award (2017). Deadline mid-Nov.
  • AAUW American Dissertation Fellowship
    For women who are involved in post-doctoral research full time or who are working on publishing their research for 8 consecutive weeks. The award grants 20,000 to living expenses. Applications are due 1 November each year.
  • DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program (SCGSR)
    For grad students who have advanced to candidacy; U.S. citizens only; research in fields of interest to DOE Office of Science. Astronomy students are eligible, with particle astrophysics, cosmology, and plasma astrophysics being the best match. 3-12 months at a DOE national laboratory, $3k monthly stipend plus transportation expenses (2016). Deadline Sept.-Nov.
  • Leifur Eiriksson Foundation Scholarship, Iceland
    For doctoral students (any citizenship) to conduct research in Iceland. One year, $25k stipend. Deadline mid-Nov. to early Dec.
  • Pierazzo International Student Travel Award
    For grad students to support travel to a planetary science related meeting (conferences and workshops) outside of the U.S. in the next calendar year. These include general meetings that have planetary-focused sessions such as the AGU, GSA, EGU and IAG. Award up to $2000. Deadline early-mid Nov.

December

  • Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship
    For students enrolled in Big Ten institutions to support research in residence at Smithsonian Institution facilities (such as SAO). Must be admitted into doctoral candidacy and satisfied all requirements except completion of the dissertation. One year, $32.7k stipend plus health insurance (2017). Deadline early Nov. to early Dec.
  • Lowell Observatory Predoctoral Scholar Fellowship Program
    For students done w/ courses/qual. Collaborations w/ Lowell staff astronomers leading to dissertation from home institution. Student stipend plus health insurance (2017). Deadlines early Dec. and early May.
  • DoD Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship
    For undergrads and grad students; U.S. citizens only. Up to five years, $25-38k annual stipend plus tuition, fees, books, and insurance (2017). Summer internships and post-graduation work at Department of Defense (DoD) facilities. Deadline early-mid Dec.
  • The Prof. Rahamimoff Travel Grants for Young Scientists
    For grad students and postdocs in the sciences to visit a higher education or research facility in Israel for up to 2 months to further their research. U.S. citizens only. $4000 awards. Deadline early Dec.
  • Ford Foundation Fellowship
    For seniors planning to enroll in grad school, grad students, and postdocs who are committed to a career in teaching and research at the college or university level; U.S. citizens only. 1-3 years; $24-25k stipend (2016). Deadline mid-Dec.
  • DoD National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship
    For college seniors and 1st/2nd year grad students; U.S. citizens only; research in fields of interest to the Department of Defense (DoD). Astronomy students are eligible and have had competitive applications. Three years, annual stipend plus tuition, fees, and insurance. Deadline mid-Dec.
  • R. L. Brown Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award
    For ex-grad students (any citizenship) who defended a thesis in the previous year based on new data from an NRAO facility. Award $1k. Deadline late Dec. to late Jan.


Other Opportunities

The following webpages and department award listings may also be of interest.

Department Awards and Funding

  • Andrew S. Wilson Prize for Excellence in Research
    Awarded to a graduate student nearing completion of the Ph.D. dissertation. The student must be advised by a member of the Department of Astronomy and be applying for jobs in astronomy during the upcoming academic year. $500 award. Annual, deadline typically same as qual date (mid-Aug.).
  • John Chi-Lin Wang Award for Academic Excellence
    Given each fall to the third-year graduate student with the best overall performance in course grades, second-year project, and qualifying exam. No application needed; award recipient determined by faculty committee. $500-$1000 award.
  • Philip E. Angerhofer Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
    No application needed; award recipient determined by faculty committee. $250 award.
  • Gregor and Donat Wentzel Scholarship
    Typically $1000-$4000, awarded by the Graduate Entrance Committee to new applicants for graduate study in Astronomy. The award(s) is/are made to the most promising applicant(s) each year. No application needed.
  • Prize for Excellence in Mentoring
    Awarded each year; all members of the department are eligible. $500 award.


Previous Department Winners

The following is a partial list of external and university awards which department grad students have won. Please send additions to Olivia Dent.

  • NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) - Randall Perrine (2007), Kari Helgason (2011), Vicki Toy (2012), Che-Yu Chen (2013), Gabriele Betancourt-Martinez (2014), Krista Smith (2014), Maggie McAdam (2015), Drew Hogg (2016), Dana Louie (2016), Zeeve Rogoszinski (2016), Thomas Rimlinger (2017).
  • NASA Space Technology Research Fellowship (NSTRF) - Gabriele Betancourt-Martinez (2014).
  • NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) - Vanessa Lauberg.
  • Chateaubriand Fellowship - Steve Schwartz (2010), Ron Ballouz (2015).
  • JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship - Mike Koss (2008).
  • NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes Fellowship - Ashley Zauderer (2007), Dana Louie (2017).
  • Christine Mirzayan Fellowship - Ashley Zauderer (2006).
  • Leifur Eiriksson Foundation Scholarship - Kari Helgason.
  • Maryland Senatorial Scholarship - Mike Koss (2006-2009).
  • Graduate School Summer Research Fellowship - Che-Yu Chen (2011), Kari Helgason (2011), Jessica Donaldson (2012), and Taro Shimizu (2013), Amy Steele (2017).
  • Kulkarni Summer Research Fellowship (Grad School) - Arnab Dhabal (2015), Pradip Gatkine (2016).
  • Wylie Dissertation Fellowship (Grad School) - Kevin Walsh, Ke Zhang, David Garofalo, Vanessa Lauberg (2009), Randall Perrine (2010), Hao Gong (2012), Dheeraj Pasham (2013), Che-Yu Chen (2013), Maxime Rizzo (2015), and Vicki Toy (2016), Arnab Dhabal (2017).
  • Graduate Dean's Dissertation Fellowship - Jessica Donaldson (2013), Taro Shimizu (2015).
  • Graduate School All-S.T.A.R. Fellowship - Krista Smith (2015), Ashlee Wilkins (2016).
  • CMNS Board of Visitors Outstanding Graduate Student Award - Mike McDonald (2011), Anne Lohfink (2014).
  • UMD Graduate Student Distinguished Service Award - Katie Jameson (2015).
  • Graduate School-TLTC Graduate Teaching Fellowship - Maggie McAdam (2014).
  • Graduate School Michael J. Pelzcar Award - Krista Smith (2016).
  • Three-Minute Thesis Competition - Gabriele Betancourt-Martinez (2016, UMD winner).
  • AAS Chambliss Award - Alice Olmstead (2012), Jithin George, hon. mention (2012), Amy Steele, hon. mention (2015).
  • AAS Rodger Doxsey Travel Prize - Mia Bovill (2011).
  • AAS International Travel Grant - Alice Olmstead (2012), Taro Shimizu (2013), Gabriele Betancourt-Martinez (2014).
  • AAS/DDA Student Stipend - Daniel Jontoff-Hutter (2011).
  • AAS/DPS Hartman Travel Grant - Ron Ballouz (2013).
  • Clay Mineral Society Travel Grant - Maggie McAdam (2014).
  • AbSciCon Student Travel Grant - Mahmuda Afrin-Badhan (2017).
  • Mellon Mays Graduate Studies Enhancement Grant - Amy Steele (2016).
  • Grad School Goldhaber Travel Grant - Ashley Zauderer, Ron Ballouz (2013), Maggie McAdam (2014), Mahmuda Afrin Badhan (2016).
  • Grad School International Conference Student Support Award - Alice Olmstead (2012), Vicki Toy (2014).