Numerous fellowship opportunities offer financial compensation and serve as valuable additions to a strong resumé or CV. More details about these programs, as well as others, can be found on the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences webpage. Examples of such fellowships include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Departmental Awards and Scholarships
Scholarship forms for 2026 awards are now closed. For scholarship descriptions, click here.
The Department of Geology and Environmental Science also provides small awards for graduate research and fieldwork from several funds. These awards are based on a combination of merit and need. For the 2026 scholarship descriptions, please see the GES Graduate Awards document.
Links to the applications for these awards are generally available at the end of the fall semester, and are due in January for the upcoming academic year.
- External Fellowships, Awards, and Scholarships
Rocky Mountain National Park - 2027 Bailey Research Fellowship
Rocky Mountain National Park and Rocky Mountain Conservancy are currently accepting applications for the 2027 Bailey Research Fellowship. The Bailey Research Fellowship provides opportunities for highly qualified graduate students to conduct research in the park and communicate their work to the public.
The fellowship provides park housing, a living stipend, and support for research supplies and conference attendance. The goal of the fellowship is to support graduate student research that aids in park management and decision making.
For more information, visit: Rocky Mountain Conservancy Bailey Research Fellowship - Continental Divide Research Learning Center (U.S. National Park Service)
Applications accepted through January 4, 2027.
U.S. Department of Energy - Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program
Applications are being accepted for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program. This unique opportunity enables talented U.S. graduate students to conduct part of their graduate thesis research at NETL and the other 16 National Laboratories in collaboration with a National Laboratory scientist.
Completed applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, Nov. 4. Information about the SCGSR program, including eligibility requirements, the application system, and roles of the collaborating DOE Laboratory scientists and thesis advisors, is available on the SCGSR website. I also encourage you to review the 2026 SCGSR Overview, which identifies priority research areas for the program, award benefits, monthly stipends, and more.
Additional information will be shared at two SCGSR application assistance workshops. These online sessions will be held:
- Thursday, Sept. 3, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. ET. This workshop will provide an overview of the program and application requirements. It will include time to discuss potential research topics and their alignment with SCGSR priority areas.
- Thursday, Oct. 1, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. ET. Information will be shared to guide attendees through the application process, answer general questions, provide guidance on proposal writing, and feature discussions with scientists and former awardees.
The program will also host virtual office hours on Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m. ET beginning Sept. 4.
At NETL, we are dedicated to supporting opportunities that enable graduate students to advance meaningful projects while working alongside our researchers. Also, this effort is crucial to developing the next generation of researchers who will advance discoveries in energy-related disciplines and other fields.
Fulbright Chile Lithium Awards
The Chile - Fulbright Chile Lithium Awards provide U.S. graduate students with the opportunity to conduct research in Chile on topics related to lithium systems, salars, and associated scientific and technological fields. This award supports research projects carried out in collaboration with a leading Chilean research institution specializing in lithium and salar systems. Projects should contribute to advancing scientific understanding, technological development, or applied research related to lithium resources and their associated environmental, geological, and technological dimensions.
Posted July 20, 2026
- Summer Opportunities
Sandia National Laboratories 2027 Fellowship
Universities Research Association (URA) is seeking applications for paid Summer Fellowships for graduate students in 2027 at Sandia National Laboratories. Detailed information about the program and the application process is attached and available here: URA Sandia Fellowship
URA anticipates making up to ten appointments within Sandia’s Research Foundations, including Bioscience, Computing and Information Science, Earth Science, Engineering Science, Material Science, Nanodevices and Microsystems, and Radiation, Electrical and High Energy Density Science. Applicants must be full-time masters or doctoral graduate students and U.S. citizens.
Applications must be submitted by November 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm US Eastern Time.
- Newly Announced Fellowships: 2026
Provost’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship
Fellowship applications for Spring and Summer 2026 have now closed; more information on applications for the Spring and Summer 2027 cycle will be available soon.
The goal of the Provost’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship is to support doctoral students who have exhausted all existing sources of funding and anticipate defending their dissertation in the term in which they receive the fellowship. The fellowship provides dedicated time for research doctoral students to focus full-time on finishing their dissertation during their last term of doctoral studies.
- Recruitment Fellowships
K. Leroy Irvis Fellowship
In 1994, the University of Pittsburgh established the K. Leroy Irvis Fellowships to enhance the academic excellence and diversity of the Pitt's graduate student body and prepare doctoral students for academic and research careers. Each year, schools select distinguished doctoral applicants who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement to participate in this prestigious program, which provides a non-duty-bearing fellowship for the student’s first year of doctoral study as well as academic guidance and cohort-based mentoring throughout the student’s doctoral studies.
Whittington Predoctoral Fellowship
The Whittington Fellowship is awarded to incoming female doctoral students of exceptional ability and promise who are admitted to a University of Pittsburgh PhD program in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. The recipient is selected on the basis of academic achievement in both undergraduate and graduate work (if applicable) and promise of research capabilities, with preference being given to those who are residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Whittington Fellowship includes a stipend for the academic year plus a tuition scholarship for two terms.
- Predoctoral Fellowships for Continuing Ph.D. Students
Andrew Mellon Predoctoral Fellowships
These fellowships are awarded to students of exceptional promise and ability either when they first enroll in the PhD program or when they have advanced to the dissertation stage. They carry a stipend plus payment of tuition. No service is required.
Departmental Requirements for 2026-27 are available here: Mellon Fellowship
Alfredo D. and Luz Maria P. Gutierrez Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded to graduate students of exceptional ability and promise whose research is focused on Latin America. Recruiting programs nominate admitted students.
Departmental Requirements for 2026-27 are available here: Gutierrez Fellowship
Leo B. and Teresa Y. Wegemer Endowed STEM Fellowship
Established to support students of exceptional promise in their pursuit of high-impact scientific research. Fellowship grants will be awarded to support the research of two exceptional, current, full-time students who are pursuing a Ph.D. degree in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences STEM fields. The following departments will be eligible to nominate up to two students for consideration: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geology & Environmental Science, Mathematics, Neuroscience, and Physics & Astronomy.
Provost's Development Fellowships
These University fellowships are awarded to U.S. citizens on the basis of need and merit to provide development opportunities for women, minorities, and disadvantaged students pursuing doctoral degrees. They generally carry a stipend and full tuition for two terms. Both incoming and continuing students are eligible to apply.
- Additional Internal Fellowships
Arts and Sciences Fellowships
A&S Fellowships are used to recruit doctoral students of exceptional promise and ability either when they first enroll in the PhD program or for later years. They carry a stipend plus remission of tuition. The stipend includes funds with which to purchase health insurance. No service is required.
Dean's Tuition Scholarships
A limited number of tuition scholarships are available for students who are not funded by teaching assistantships or fellowships. Priority is given to students who have completed all course requirements, are working on their dissertations, have exhausted all departmental support, and need to be minimally registered in order to use University facilities.
Dean's Tuition Scholarship applications for Fall 2025 are now open. More information is available on the Dietrich Graduate Studies website.
The Deborah Gillotti Graduate Fellowship
In 2006, University alumna and Trustee Deborah Gillotti generously created a fund to support educational and research expenses for Pitt graduate students with the potential to become leaders. Fellowship funding is available to students who have a unique experiential learning opportunity that will propel their education and future career--and need funds to be able to realize the opportunity.
To be eligible, students must be enrolled in (and in good standing) any graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh - OR - be admitted to a graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh. Note, for admitted students, applications should come from the admitting department/school on behalf of the student (i.e., applying for summer research funding to complement other funding packages) and will be subject to the student accepting the offer of admission. International students are eligible to receive Gillotti Fellowships. Multiple awards of between $5,000 to $10,000 will be made each year. Awards may be for one-time opportunities or can be renewable through the final year of study (when applicable). Preference will be given to students who have proven leadership skills developed before entering a graduate program at the University or are recognized to have long-term leadership potential that will be enhanced by their graduate training AND are pursuing research related to emerging market nations. Deadline: March 1, 2027.
Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund
First offered in 2024, these fellowships are awarded to students to support outstanding graduate students in any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences. The amount of each fellowship will cover the cost of tuition and an additional stipend to be allocated towards room, board, living expenses, and income taxes. Additionally, the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences will supplement the stipend up to the TF rate and cover the cost of health insurance. Fellowships may be renewed for up to three years.
The criteria and requirements for the fellowships are:
- Significance and quality of research.
- Outstanding undergraduate record.
- Demonstrated need for financial assistance (note that finalists will be required to submit their federal tax returns and a FAFSA as part of their application materials).
- Research carried out entirely in the United States of America.
- Candidate must be a citizen of the United States of America and enrolled in an accredited and designated institution of higher education in the United States.
Elsie Hillman Civic Forum, Institute of Politics
The Elsie Hillman Civic Forum at the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics is excited to share that information is available regarding applications for their civic engagement programming for the 2026-2027 academic year! They have paid and unpaid opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.
Applications open each spring for the upcoming academic year. Graduate student opportunities include:
Ambassadors for Civic Engagement Fellowship> - A team of graduate students with one community partner to assist the organization with developing and implementing a large project or program.
Elsie Civic Engagement Internship – This program offers an undergraduate or graduate student the opportunity to intern with the IOP's Elsie Hillman Civic Forum where they will learn more about community and civic engagement programming and outreach.
Institute of Politics (IOP) Policy Internship – For over 20 years, both undergraduate and graduate students have engaged in regional policy research, networking, and learn about regional policy issues.
- Requests for Proposals
These external opportunities are updated as we receive information from various organizations:
Organization Fellowship Description Link Date Posted