Funding Upcoming Deadlines & Opportunities (September 2024)
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he Grad Center posts a regular digest of highlighted funding and professional opportunities during the regular academic year. External opportunities are shared for informational purposes only and their inclusion herein does not represent an official endorsement by the University.
To see additional fellowships and award opportunities, visit the CURF Resources for Graduate Students and Grad Center Grants and Fellowships webpages.
Additional individual & student group funding, student employment, and financial assistance information can be found in the Graduate Funding & Finances section of the Graduate Resource Guide. Career Services has also compiled a list of various summer funding sources to assist students with professional pursuits during summer months.
Funding and Professional Opportunities
Schwarzman Scholarship (for Fall 2025 start)
Deadline: Sept 12(all countries excluding China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao)
Highly selective international scholarship program designed to prepare future leaders for success in a world where China plays a key global role. Scholars develop their leadership skills through a fully-funded one-year Master's degree in Global Affairs at Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University in Beijing – one of China's most prestigious universities. Chinese language proficiency is NOT required.
Chicagoland Diverse Postdoc Recruiting Event
Deadline: September 22
Northwestern University, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), and the University of Chicago (UChicago) invite applications for the annual Chicagoland Diverse STEM Postdoc Recruitment Initiative! The initiative has two components, both conducted virtually: 1) Professional Development programming held virtually from October 10-11; and 2) Informational Interviews conducted from October 10 – November 25. This opportunity is for advanced (post-candidacy) PhD students, recent PhD grads, or early-career postdoc scholars in STEM fields who belong to populations that have traditionally been underrepresented in academia and the sciences, including individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, who have disabilities, who identify as LGBTQIA+, who are veterans, who have obtained a PhD as a second career, or who were first-generation college students or Pell-eligible. There is no citizenship requirement.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
Deadline: October 11 (references); October 15 - 18 (all other materials, varies by field)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recognizes and supports promising students in NSF-supported STEM and social science disciplines who are pursuing research-based graduate degrees. For information about applying for the NSF GRFP at Penn, visit: www.curf.upenn.edu/content/nsf.
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans (for immigrants and the children of immigrants)
Deadline: October 31
Prestigious national fellowship provides up to two years of support for graduate study for new Americans - permanent residents or naturalized citizens if born abroad; otherwise children of naturalized citizen parents - in any field and in any advanced degree-granting program in the US. Learn more about the application process and view upcoming or recorded applicant information sessions at www.pdsoros.org/apply/information-sessions. For information and support in applying for the Soros Fellowship at Penn, visit https://curf.upenn.edu/content/soros.
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships
Deadline: November 1
1-3 year fellowship awarded to applicants who will pursue a doctoral degree in, or closely related to, an area of DoD interest within one of their fifteen prioritized disciplines in science and engineering. Fellows receive full tuition & fees, a monthly stipend, and up to $1600 for medical insurance.
American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) Fellowship
Deadline: November 1
Fellowships (up to $23,000) and grants (up to $5,000) to individuals to pursue research, study or creative arts projects in one or more Scandinavian country for up to one year. Priority is given to candidates at the graduate level for dissertation-related research.
National Research Council (NRC) RAP Postdoctoral Associateships
Deadlines: August 1; November 1
The National Research Council (NRC) Research Associateship Program (RAP) offers a range of postdoctoral opportunities in science and engineering for independent research compatible with the interests of sponsoring laboratories and affiliated institutions. Eligibility criteria vary by host laboratory and project. Current opportunities can be found on the NRC Research Associateship Programs Participating Agencies List. Citizenship requirements, program length, and details vary by lab and agency.
American Association of University Women (AAUW) Fellowships and Grants
Deadline: November 15
Supports women scholars who are completing dissertations, planning research leave from accredited institutions, or preparing research for publication. Funds research in a variety of disciplines that helps to improve communities. Eligibility criteria vary by grant/fellowship program.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program
Deadline: November 14 (Tentative)
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) institutes provide fully-funded group-based intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences for 7-10 weeks for U.S. citizen undergraduate, Master ’s and Ph.D. students. Countries may include: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Russia, South Korea, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, or others where the target languages are spoken. Apply in November for a fellowship the following summer. For information and support in applying for the CLS program at Penn, visit curf.upenn.edu/content/cls.
DOD Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program
Deadline: December 6
The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing a graduate or doctoral degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines and conducting research relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense. Includes full tuition, annual stipend of up to $46K, and other benefits. Awardees are matched with a DoD research laboratory where they will be expected to serve as a summer intern and complete a period of post-graduation employment service as a civilian.
Penn Employment Opportunities
Recent graduates interested in pursuing a full-time employment opportunity at Penn are encouraged to review opportunities listed on the Careers@Penn website.
New and continuing students - in addition to any student employment opportunities listed above, you can learn more about student employment at Penn on the following sites:
