Georgia Tech awards and coordinates numerous student fellowships – varying in value from a few hundred dollars that may be awarded on top of other funding such as an assistantship, to full fellowships that cover tuition, fees and pay a stipend.
Institute-level fellowships are managed by the Office of Graduate Education and paid via the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid and the Office of the Bursar. Most fellowships are awarded and nominated internally by schools, not by Graduate Education nor the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. There are also many school-level fellowships which are handled separately by individual academic departments.
The Office of Graduate Education administers Institute-funded fellowships such as the President’s Fellowship and the Georgia Tech Institute Fellowship, and many others. For example, we manage externally funded programs such as the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Ford Foundation and Department of Energy fellowships. We work with colleges to facilitate internal competitions for ARCS Foundation Atlanta scholars, and nomination processes for Dolores Zohrab Liebmann, Gilliam fellowship for Advanced Study and Schmidt Science Fellows. We also work with Academic Deans from individual Colleges to facilitate selection processes for donor-initiated fellowships.
The following information is meant to help you better understand the fellowship and funding opportunities available to you.
Fellowships vs. Scholarships
Fellowships:
- Usually awarded for doctoral research.
- Merit-based; not need-based.
- Funding is typically meant to be used for tuition and fees but is sometimes discretionary for student awardees to use as they see fit.
- Often come with a stipend.
Scholarships:
- Awarded to students based on academic achievements, financial need, or a combination of both.
- Usually merit-based; sometimes need-based.
- Generally, funding must be applied directly to tuition and other related expenses.
- Do not include stipends.
Fellowship Opportunities
There are a variety of fellowship opportunities available to graduate students. The awards listed in this section are only a selection of those available.
Unless otherwise noted, many of the awards listed in this section are open only to U.S. citizens and/or U.S. residents. It is challenging for international students to secure fellowships because many are funded by the U.S. government and/or come with a U.S. citizenship requirement.
Be sure to search online utilizing the resources and databases below and ask professionals in your field for additional options.
NSF GRFP Applicants and Awardees
If you are interested in applying for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) or if you have already received this fellowship, please consult the following:
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) General Information
- Guidance for Those Applying to the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (PDF)
- NSF GRFP Eligibility
Important Information for All NSF GRFP Fellows (New and Current) (PDF)
(This document was last updated November 20, 2024; if your version doesn't show this date, clear browsing history and refresh to receive the most up-to-date information.)
Multi-Discipline
| Fellowship Name | Description/Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Chih Research Publication Awards | The Chih Foundation awards graduate students whose research publication(s) reflect invention and innovation for the betterment of society in the fields of Engineering, Computer Science, and Health Science. | September |
| Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship | Funds advanced education and graduate study; open to all disciplines. Students may not apply directly but must be nominated by Georgia Tech via internal submission. | December/January |
| Laura Bassi Scholarship | Provides editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed; scholarships open to every discipline. | Rolling; 3 per year, Winter, Spring, Summer |
| May |
Computing
| Fellowship Name | Description/Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Apple AI/ML Scholars |
| September |
| Google Ph.D. Fellowship |
| May |
| IBM Fellowship Awards Program |
| October |
| JP Morgan Ph.D. Fellowship |
| March |
| Meta Research Ph.D. Fellowship |
| September |
Education & Humanities
| Fellowship Name | Description/Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Knowles Science Teaching Fellowships for STEM High School Teachers |
| |
| National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Program | Supports scholars undertaking research relevant to the improvement of education. | October |
| National Endowment for the Humanities | Supports individuals pursuing advanced research in the humanities. | April |
| Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Doctoral & Dissertation Awards | The SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program offers two awards to students who are pursuing Ph.D.s and plan to become college and university professors. |
Georgia Tech Institute-Funded Fellowships
| Fellowship Name | Description/Eligibility |
|---|---|
| President’s Fellowship | Offered annually to a select number of highly qualified U.S. citizens or permanent residents who pursue doctoral degrees. |
| Georgia Tech Institute Fellowship | Georgia Tech's most prestigious fellowship for graduate students; awarded to a small, select number of President's Fellowship recipients. |
Government & Policy
| Fellowship Name | Description/Eligibility |
|---|---|
| AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships | Provides opportunities for outstanding scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about federal policymaking while using their knowledge and skills to address today’s most pressing societal challenges. |
| Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship |
|
| Georgia Tech Federal Jackets Fellowship |
|
| Presidential Management Fellowship | The federal government's flagship leadership development program for advanced degree holders across all academic disciplines. |
Human/Environmental Health
| Fellowship Name | Description/Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality | Provides Ph.D. students with grants and opportunities in health services research. | |
| Eli Lilly and Company Visiting Scientist Fellowship | For relevant Ph.D. or Master’s degree graduates with cross-functional exposure to commercial, clinical development and project management, health outcomes, medical affairs and regulatory affairs aspects of drug development. | September |
| Interdisciplinary and Health & Environment Leadership Development (IHE-LeaD) at Georgia Tech | For those working in a field related to human health and/or environmental health, or any closely related field that aims to translate evidence-based data into public action. | May |
| National Institutes of Health (NIH) | Additional information available at NIH Graduate Partnerships Program. |
Language Study
| Fellowship Name | Description/Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Boren Fellowships for Graduate Students |
| January |
| Critical Language Scholarship Program | Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 15 critical languages. | |
| Fulbright Program, Critical Language Enhancement Award | Available in some languages in some countries. |
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
| Fellowship Name | Description/Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| ARCS Scholar Award |
| July |
| Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship | Open to first-year graduate students. | |
| Department of Energy Science Graduate Student Research Program | ||
| Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity |
| December |
| Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship | Open to first-year graduate students intending to pursue a Ph.D. | |
| HHMI Gilliam Fellowship for Advanced Study |
| September |
| National Defense Science and Engineering Grants | December | |
| National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) |
| October |
| Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Fellowships |
| December |
Study Abroad
| Fellowship Name | Description/Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Churchill Scholarship | One-year of study at the University of Cambridge for an MPhil (Master of Philosophy) or MASt (Master of Advanced Study) | Nominations: November |
| Confucius China Studies Program |
| February 28 |
| Fulbright Awards |
| Campus deadline: varies |
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship | To-do full-time study at the University of Cambridge for Ph.D., MPhil/MLitt, or one year postgraduate course | Varies |
| Marshall Sherfield Fellowships |
| Apply in early October the fall before completing a Ph.D. |
| Rhodes Scholarship |
| October |
Transportation
| Fellowship Name | Description/Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program | Open to international students if their bachelor’s degree is from a U.S. institution. |
Fellowships Databases
Most fellowships are largely tied to doctoral research, and many are heavily focused on STEM disciplines. There are more limited fellowship and funding options for master’s level students and programs. If you are a master’s level student, or are considering a master’s level program, you may be more likely to secure a fellowship if you are pursuing a research-based master’s degree.
We recommend students to explore fellowship opportunities available for a wide range of degree levels, disciplines, program types, etc., by accessing the fellowship databases below.
Peer Institution Fellowship Databases
Peer institutions offer fellowship databases which students can use to filter by your circumstances and interests. Please disregard those opportunities that are specific to enrollment at those universities.
Other External Fellowship Databases
- NSF 101: Graduate and Postdoctoral Research Funding Opportunities
- The U.S. National Science Foundation supports research opportunities and provides stipends for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and scholars.
- There are multiple ways to find these programs, including the funding search on NSF’s website and the NSF Education & Training Application, which is growing its list of opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
- PIVOT Funding Database
- Opportunities for all disciplines and project types.
- Create an account to save searches and receive funding alerts. View instructions on how to create an account.
- Georgia Tech Library regularly offers workshops on how to use Pivot effectively. Keep an eye out for the next workshop on the Library events page.
- Zintellect.com
- Research internships, fellowships, and scholarships funded by the government and private sector organizations.
Fellowship Announcements
- Many fellowships are internally selected or nominated by a student’s faculty advisor or department.
- Graduate Education will circulate announcements to specific academic units, entire colleges, or campuswide.
- Some competitions will be listed within Georgia Tech’s InfoReady Review platform.
- Other announcements will first be circulated to the Graduate Coordinator’s email distribution list and then forwarded to students, as applicable.
- Students are also notified of funding opportunities via announcements in the biweekly GradBuzz e-newsletter that goes out to all currently enrolled graduate students.
Preparing Fellowship Applications
- Once you begin the fellowship application process, the Communication Center is a great resource.
- Contact the Pre-Graduate and Pre-Professional Advising unit for help with locating additional fellowship opportunities and preparing applications.
- See the Fellowships Writing Resources Dropbox folder (GT login required) for workshop recordings, presentation slides, and more resources from the Georgia Tech Director of Professional Development and Postdoctoral Services.
Fellowship and Scholarship Resources
Tax Resources for Fellowships
Georgia Tech is unable to provide tax, financial or advice, and therefore all questions regarding taxes should be directed to a tax or financial advisor. The website "Personal Finance for PhDs" may be useful.
Do I include my scholarship, fellowship, or education grant as income on my tax return (for U.S. citizens and residents for tax purposes ONLY)?
This IRS Interactive Tax Assistant will help you determine whether the educational assistance you received is taxable. If you attended more than one educational institution and the funds were used for expenses other than qualified education expenses, run the interview separately for each educational institution.
Is my fellowship taxable if I am a nonresident for tax purposes?
In general, U.S. sourced taxable scholarships, fellowships, and grants that do not represent compensation for services are not subject to withholding when paid to U.S. citizens and residents, but they are subject to withholding when paid to nonresident aliens. If you are not sure if you are a resident or nonresident for tax purposes be sure to consult your GLACIER account. If you do not have a GLACIER account, please put in a ticket at asc.gatech.edu for assistance.
The withholding tax rate for nonresidents for tax purposes is 30%. However, the withholding tax rate may be reduced to 14% (or a lower treaty rate) if you are a nonresident alien student, researcher, or grantee who is temporarily present in the United States with an "F," "J," "M," or "Q" visa, and the taxable amounts you received are either:
- Incident to a qualified scholarship to which section 117(a) applies; or
- Granted by certain types of organizations described in section 1441(b)(2).
If, immediately before arriving in the United States, you were a tax resident of a country that has an income tax treaty with the United States, then you may be eligible for benefits under the applicable treaty, such as an exemption from tax, with respect to your scholarship, fellowship, or grant, including a specified amount that represents compensation for services. In order to determine whether you are eligible for a tax treaty, please consult your GLACIER account. If you do not have a GLACIER account, please put in a ticket at asc.gatech.edu for assistance.
Any part of your scholarship, fellowship, or grant that represents compensation for services performed in the United States is subject to graduated withholding.
Additional Resources
- Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid | Tax Information
- IRS | Tax Benefits for Education
- IRS | Tax Information for Individuals
- IRS | Tax Witholding Estimator
- How Fellows Should Prepare for Tax Time at the Start of the Academic Year | Inside Higher Ed
- Foreign Students, Scholars, Teachers, Researchers, and Exchange Visitors