What is an external fellowship?

External fellowships are competitive awards that provide financial support to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for academic study and research and typically do not require work in exchange for the funds. They are provided by government agencies, private foundations, non-governmental organizations, and industry (i.e., sponsors that are external to Purdue University). Each fellowship sponsor sets individual terms for eligibility criteria, research areas of interest, selection criteria, application components, and award benefits and terms. 

What are the benefits of an external fellowship?  

Fellowships offer valuable benefits to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. While each award is different, common financial benefits may include: 

• Living expenses through a stipend 
• Tuition and fee allowance 
• Medical insurance, often provided through the university with a stipend supplement 
• Travel support for research or conferences 
• Additional funding for books, technology, or research-related costs 

Additional benefits of fellowships include:

• Dedicated time for research and study: Fellowships often provide sufficient funding to reduce or eliminate the need for assistantships, allowing you to focus more fully on your dissertation research and coursework. In some cases, fellowships may be combined with assistantships to enhance professional development or supplement funding. 
• Increased research flexibility: Many fellowships offer greater autonomy in shaping your research agenda and exploring academic interests. All research plans are still developed in consultation with your advisor(s) and depend on the availability of resources and funding. 
• Recognition and Prestige: External fellowships are highly competitive and widely respected, often awarded to top scholars and emerging researchers in their fields. 
• Grant Writing Experience: The process of applying for fellowships provides valuable experience in proposal development and grant writing—essential skills for academic and research careers. 

Who should apply for an external fellowship?

Fellowships are available for individuals at all stages of their academic and research careers—including undergraduates in their final year who plan to pursue graduate study, early-stage graduate students, advanced PhD candidates, and current postdoctoral scholars. 

If you currently hold another fellowship, you are typically still eligible to apply for additional opportunities. You can also apply for multiple fellowships simultaneously. While some fellowships may place restrictions on holding concurrent awards, it is often possible to defer or place one fellowship on hold while another is active, depending on the specific terms of each award. 

While most fellowships are geared toward research-based master’s and PhD programs, a limited number of opportunities are also available for students in professional degree programs.

When should I apply for an external fellowship?

Applicants should begin researching fellowship opportunities 12–18 months before the semester in which they will need funding. While many external fellowship deadlines occur in the fall, opportunities are available year-round—so early planning is essential to avoid missing out. Because strong applications take time to develop, plan to spend at least 2–3 months preparing your materials. Fellowship funds are then typically disbursed 6–12 months after the application deadline. 

What resources are available to support fellowship applicants?

The information below includes guidance for each step of the fellowship process and resources that we offer to support you.