First and second year students over here

As first and second year students in graduate school, you have a brief window to apply for a number of generous training fellowships offered by outside agencies, created to free you from the requirements of TAing and RAing in your first few years at UCSD. Most of these have deadlines coming up in the next three to six weeks.

For Scientists, Engineers, and Social Scientists (including master’s students)

National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/nsf07576/nsf07576.htm)

“The Graduate Research Fellowship Program awards fellowships for graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) relevant to the mission of the National Science Foundation.” Please note that this includes social scientists in research-oriented fields.

The eligibility language for this year has changed to include second-year students who have not completed their first quarters of graduate study.

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowships carry a $30,000 yearly stipend, plus a cost of education allowance.

Deadlines are staggered throughout November. You will apply directly to NSF online. Recommendation letters due December 1.

For students in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts

Jacob Javits Fellowships (http://www.ed.gov/programs/jacobjavits/applicant.html)

“The purpose of the Jacob K. Javits (JKJ) Fellowship Program is to award fellowships to eligible students of superior ability, selected on the basis of demonstrated achievement, financial need, and exceptional promise, to undertake graduate study in specific fields in the arts, humanities, and social sciences leading to a doctoral degree or to a master's degree in those fields in which the master's degree is the terminal highest degree awarded in the selected field of study at accredited institutions of higher education.” Only students in their first year of study are eligible to apply, so don’t let this opportunity go to waste.

Please note that this award will require you to fill out of a FAFSA, which I highly recommend that you do online.

Stipend is generous, but depends on individual need. Four years of support. Apply directly to the Department of Education online.

Deadline: October 15

For everyone who meets the selection criteria

Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships (http://www7.nationalacademies.org/fordfellowships/fordpredoc.html)

Called “diversity fellowships,” these are actually designed not just to support members of groups whose underrepresentation in the academy has been “severe and longstanding,” but also those who have shown sustained engagement with the members of these groups through volunteer work or academic research. Decided on the basis of academic record and desire to teach at the college level.

Stipend is $20,000/year for three years and an award to the school of $2000 in lieu of tuition/fees.

Apply to the National Academies online.

Deadline: November 15 for application; January 18 for recommendation letters and transcripts.

DAAD Study and Research Scholarships in Germany (http://www.daad.org)

Graduate students may apply at any point in their careers for short-term or long-term programs to study, do research, or earn degrees in Germany.

The application form is online, but will also require a separate mailing of a hard copy in sixtuplicate to DAAD. UCSD is allowed to nominate one priority candidate for extra consideration. For those applying in the Fine Arts, Performing Music, or Dance, the UCSD deadline is October 15. For students in all other fields, it is November 1. Please submit a copy of the application to Shannon Chamberlain at the Office of Graduate Studies, mail code 0003, or drop it off on the fourth floor of the Student Services Center.

As always, I am available to help interested students with their applications. Please contact me at sfchamberlain@ucsd.edu to get tips on writing proposal statements or to obtain a copy of our fellowship writing guide and successful proposal essays.