Assistantships, Fellowships and Grants

There are several financing assistance options that you may apply for at Texas A&M University. Most of our graduate and professional school students are currently taking advantage of these sources and you may also be eligible to apply.

There are three types of graduate assistantships available through academic departments and colleges, along with agencies and administrative offices. These appointments are for teaching, research and non-teaching activities. Most of these positions require service of 20 hours per week. Students serving in these roles are eligible for insurance benefits and may pay tuition and fees at the in-state rate.

Many different fellowships are available through departments, colleges, and the Office of Graduate Studies. Ordinarily, graduate students holding fellowships are not required to perform any services. Many competitive fellowships of $1,000 or greater per academic year also allow students to pay tuition at the in-state rate. Fellowships packages vary from $1,000 to over $30,000 and some do include funds for insurance and tuition and fees.

The Office of Proposal Development has additional funding resources listed on its website:

The Fellowships and Dissertation Grants page lists methods and locations for resources.

Graduate Funding Opportunities includes some direct resources from Texas A&M, but primarily sources from federal agencies, foundations, and associations.

Diversity Funding lists funding opportunities supporting diversity in graduate and undergraduate education.

You can search research funding opportunities by category on the OPD website. You can also search by new weekly funding opportunities, specific date and sign up for email alerts via the OPD website.

List of Large National Graduate Fellowship Programs

List of Liberal Arts, Humanities and Social Science Fellowships

A sample of some fellowships, grants and awards are as follows:

Pathways to the Doctorate Fellowships: (First semester, fall start only fellowship.) Through the Pathways to the Doctorate program, several institutions in the Texas A&M University System are making assistantships or scholarships available to students from within the Texas A&M University System wishing to pursue graduate study at Texas A&M University in College Station. To qualify, students must be from a different institution within the Texas A&M University System.

Texas Aggie Graduate Grant:  (DO NOT SEND THIS APPLICATION TO THE OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES) The 2009-2010 Application for next Fall, Spring, and Summer is now located on the Scholarships and Financial Aid website.  Do NOT turn turn the form in the Office of Graduate Studies.  Turn the completed form in to the Scholarships and Financial Aid office (located in the Pavilion, 2nd floor).

This is a need-based grant (need is determined by Student Financial Aid) for graduate students who are Texas residents. Each student may receive up to $1,500 per semester, with a maximum of $3,000 per year.

Research and Presentation Grants: This program is to support graduate student research or travel by reimbursing students for certain expenses.

Graduate Merit Fellowships/The Association of Former Students Fellowships: This fellowship is by faculty nomination only. (Students do not apply for this fellowship.) First semester, fall start only fellowship. These fellowships are awarded through a University-wide competition. The fellowships are designed to encourage high-quality applicants to enroll for the first time in graduate programs at Texas A&M University. The departments make nominations to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) and these awards are given for one year.

Graduate Diversity Fellowships: This fellowship is by faculty nomination only. (Students do not apply for this fellowship.) First semester, fall start only fellowship. This fellowship was established to attract students to Texas A&M who have a proven record of success in a diverse environment. Academic departments nominate prospective graduate students, and students are selected based on overall merit and the nominating department's statement of support. The fellowship provides funding for two years for master's students and three years for PhD students, and includes for each year: $13,000 stipend, $8,000 for tuition and fees, and a departmental assistantship, which pays a minimum of $7,000 per year. With the graduate assistantship, the student has an option for heath insurance at a nominal cost.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships: (Deadlines are typically early November--check site for details) Individual students apply for these awards directly to NSF. Once awarded, NSF dedicates funds and the money is administered through OGS.

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowships: (Deadline: December 18, 2009) This program provides fellowships in areas of national need to assist graduate students with excellent academic records who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue the highest degree available in their course of study at the institution. Applications for grants under this program must be submitted electronically using the Electronic Grant Application system (e-Application) accessible through the Department's e- Grants site.

U.S. Department of Energy Graduate Research Environmental Fellowships: (Deadline: December 31, 2009) All qualified students are encouraged to apply, but minority and female students are particularly encouraged. Funding available only for students who are U.S. Citizens. GREF makes three-year appointments that are renewable annually based on evidence of the Fellow’s satisfactory academic and research direction and progress. The fellowship pays an annual stipend of $19,200 ($1,500 monthly plus a $600 Research Education Supplement in March and October), and tuition and fees up to $10,000 per academic year. GREF Fellows are encouraged to participate in the annual Orientation and research focus sessions, and the End-of-Summer Workshop. If the Fellow decides to participate in these activities, GREF pays travel costs, per diem and lodging to the events.

IBP Pathways to Science Graduate Student Portal: (Deadline: Depends on specific program) The IBP Pathways to Science program provides a variety of support mechanisms for graduate students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or education. Fellowships, NSF research funding, and post doc opportunities are available. For more information, contact Sandra Thomas, Senior Administrator with the Institute for Broadening Participation at sthomas@ibparticipation.org.

Dept Homeland Security Summer Research Team Program for Summer 2010: (Deadlines: Faculty member must submit Letter of Intent by January 8, 2010; Team application due February 1, 2010.) The DHS Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions provides research opportunities to increase and enhance the scientific leadership at Minority Serving Institutions in research areas that support the mission and goals of DHS. The program supports research teams composed of a faculty member and up to two students (undergraduate or graduate level) for a 10-week summer internship doing research at a DHS Center of Excellence. The award includes a stipend plus transportation expenses to/from the internship location. Team members must be U.S. citizens. Questions regarding DHS Education Programs can be sent via e-mail to dhsed@orau.org. 

Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid Research Program: (Deadlines typically March 15 and October 15--check site for details) This grant program awards grants of up to $1,000 to students from all areas of the sciences and engineering. Designated funds from the National Academy of Sciences allow for grants of up to $5,000 for astronomy research and $2,500 for vision-related research. Students use the funding to pay for travel expenses to and from a research site, or for purchase of non-standard laboratory equipment necessary to complete a specific research project.

Sandia National Laboratories President Harry S. Truman Fellowship in National Security Science & Engineering: (Deadline is typically December 5--check site for details) Sandia National Laboratories is seeking outstanding Ph.D. candidates to apply for the Harry S. Truman Research Fellowship in National Security Science and Engineering. This initial one-year appointment may be extended, at management’s discretion, for two additional one-year appointments. The salary is $106,600 per year. This position requires a United States Department of Energy Security Clearance, which requires United States Citizenship. The Truman Fellowship provides the opportunity for recipients to pursue independent research of their choosing that supports Sandia’s national security mission. Candidates are expected to have solved a major scientific or engineering problem in their thesis work or will have provided a new approach or insight to a major problem, as evidenced by a recognized impact in their field. Candidates must have a Ph.D. within the past 3 years or, will complete all Ph.D. requirements by commencement of appointment, with a broad-based background and extensive knowledge of research in one or more of the following areas: advanced computing, information systems and mathematics; bioscience and technology; combustion, chemical and earth sciences; engineering sciences; geosciences; intelligent systems and robotics; materials science and technology; microelectronics and microsystems; nano sciences and technology; pulsed power and directed energy; and remote sensing and satellite systems.

Please click on any of the following links for more information regarding fellowship opportunities for graduate students:

Africa-America Institute http://www.aaionline.org/

American Association of University Women Career Development Grants http://www.aauw.org/3000/felgrawa.html

American Sociological Association Fellowship Program http://www.asanet.org//page.ww?section=Funding&name=Funding+Opportunities

ASHE/Lumina Dissertation Fellowship Program http://www.ashe.ws/fellowship/aboutfellowship.htm

Council of Independent Colleges American Graduate Fellowships  (Humanities) http://www.cic.edu/projects_services/grants/americangrad.asp

US Dept. of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship https://www2.krellinst.org/csgf/application/

National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Graduate Research Fellowship http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding/graduate-research-fellowship/

W.E.B. DuBois Fellowship Program: NIJ Research Opportunity http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding/current.htm

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Fellowship Program http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/graduate-scholarships/

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation -- Other Funding Resources http://www.jkcf.org/news-knowledge/external-resources/sources-of-graduate-funding/

Jacob K. Javits Fellowships http://www.ed.gov/programs/jacobjavits/index.html

Committee on Institutional Cooperation FreeApp Program (application fee waiver at certain universities) http://www.cic.net/Home/Students/FreeApp/Introduction.aspx

Knowles Science Teaching Foundation Fellowships http://www.kstf.org/

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships http://www.nsfgradfellows.org/

Truman Fellowships http://www.truman.gov/

Graduate and Postdoctorate Extramural Support (GRAPES) database (provided by UCLA Graduate Division) http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/grpinst.htm

American Political Science Association http://www.apsanet.org/section_191.cfm

American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org/students/funding.html

National Academy of Sciences Fellowship Programs Unit http://www7.nationalacademies.org/fellowships/

Kauffman Dissertation Fellowship Program http://www.kauffman.org/research-and-policy/kauffman-dissertation-fellowship-program.aspx

Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/gradstudent.jsp

Individual graduate students often receive financial support from multiple sources. Application for either assistantships or fellowships are made via the academic departments and any inquiries should be directed toward the department of interest.