Funding Opportunities for Graduate Students

The Graduate Fellowships and External Funding Office helps Kennesaw State graduate students find and apply for fellowships, scholarships, grants, awards, and other external funding. 

Explore funding opportunities, learn how to prepare a strong application, and get support throughout the application process.

How We Support Graduate Students

  • We can help you: Find funding opportunities that match your academic and career goals
  • Plan an application strategy and timeline 
  • Strengthen proposals, personal statements, and other application materials
  • Connect with faculty mentors and campus resources
  • Prepare for nationally competitive fellowships and awards.  

Start exploring funding opportunities early and work closely with faculty mentors as you prepare your applications. When you are ready, search available options and use our resources to plan your next steps.

Fellowships Available Across Disciplines

External fellowships are available in many fields, not only STEM. Opportunities may support research, teaching, leadership, public service, international experiences, creative work, and professional development. 

Fellowships and Scholarships

What Are Fellowships?

Fellowships are competitive awards that can provide financial support for graduate study, research, teaching, and other academic or professional work. They also help you build experience, develop new skills, and grow as a scholar and professional. 

Why Apply for a Fellowship? 

Applying for a fellowship can be valuable even if you are not selected for funding. The application process can help you clarify your goals, strengthen your writing, and explain your academic and professional interests more effectively for future opportunities.  

Download our list of available Fellowships

Our Office Offers 

Student Workshops

Student workshops can help graduate students:

  • Find relevant fellowship and scholarship opportunities
  • Understand eligibility requirements and application deadlines
  • Write a winning proposal
  • Work with faculty mentors
  • Prepare a complete application package 

Faculty Workshops

Faculty workshops can help provide guidance on how to:

  • Identifying students for competitive opportunities 
  • Mentoring students through the application process 
  • Write a strong letter of recommendation

Consultation Services

Meet with our office for individual support to:

  • Identify appropriate funding 
  • Develop a timeline relative to the targeted calls
  • Review applications
  • You can find upcoming opportunities and other funding resource information in the Hootline.

 

Featured Funding Opportunities 

Two specific opportunities that align with the workshops.

  • The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program provides funding for three years of graduate study in research-based master's or doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including STEM education. 

    Who Should Apply: All STEM fields (including education - undergraduate seniors and first year MS).

    Award: The fellowship currently provides a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 along with a $16,000 cost of education allowance accepted by the institution as payment in lieu of all tuition and mandatory fees with no cost to the student.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • US citizen, national, or permanent resident
    • Intend to enroll or be enrolled full-time in a research-based master's or doctoral degree program
    • Never have previously accepted a graduate research fellowship
    • Have declined any previously offered graduate research fellowship by the deadline (if applicable)
    • Have completed less than one academic year in a graduate program
    • Joint bachelor's-master's degree programs are considered graduate students and meet eligibility criteria.

    Deadlines vary by field of study; all deadlines fall in early November (2nd week).

    Learn More About the NSF GRFP

  • The Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF)supports doctoral students pursuing degrees in high-performance computing fields to solve complex science and engineering problems. The program seeks energetic and committed Ph.D. students, DOE laboratory staff and scientists or alumni that are dedicated to advancing their research with the desire to have a nationwide impact.

    The fellowship includes two computational science tracks:

    • Science and Engineering 
    • Mathematics and Computer Science

    Who Should Apply: Doctoral students pursuing research in scientific computing and engineering disciplines.

    Award Funding: A yearly stipend of $45,000, full tuition and required fees at any accredited U.S. university, and an annual $1,000 professional development allowance.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    Applications typically open in the fall and close in January. 

    Review the DOE CSGF website for complete eligibility requirements, deadlines, and current award information. 

    View Full CSGF Requirements and Award Information

    Deadlines:

    • Applications Open – late October
    • Application Closes – mid January
    • Award Notifications – late April

What Are Graduate Awards?

Graduate awards recognize achievements in research, scholarship, teaching, leadership, service, and other academic or professional work. 

Awards may include: 

  • Dissertation or thesis awards 
  • Student paper awards 
  • Poster and presentation awards 
  • Travel grants 
  • Research competitions 
  • Other forms of scholarly recognition 

Fellowships generally provide support for future study, research, or professional development. Awards more often recognize work or accomplishments that have already been completed. 

External awards can help strengthen your CV or resume and increase the visibility of your work. 

Search the list below to explore graduate award opportunities by sponsoring organization.

Submit Your Interest to Apply

You do not need to be the perfect candidate to apply. Many successful fellowship recipients applied more than once, sought feedback, and strengthened their applications over time.  

Even if you are not selected, the process of preparing a competitive application can help you clarify your goals, refine your research or professional interests, strengthen your writing, and develop valuable skills for future funding opportunities.