External Fellowships
The Graduate Funding and Fellowships Office supports graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at every stage of the fellowship process—from identifying opportunities and preparing strong applications to managing awarded fellowships.
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.
Fellowship Steps
Read the below sections to learn more about steps to take regarding Fellowships and Funding.
Learn how to find fellowships that fit your research, career stage, and eligibility. The steps below cover when to start looking, where to search, and what to check before deciding which ones to apply for.
- Start early: Begin your fellowship search 12-18 months before you anticipate needing funding. This allows time to identify opportunities before application deadlines, prepare a strong application, and allow for the fellowship sponsor’s review and selection process. If you require a shorter timeline, it is still worth exploring options, but be aware that most fellowships do not disburse funds until 6-12 months after the application deadline.
- Find fellowship opportunities: There are countless fellowships available. Use the resources below to identify those that best match your field of study, career stage, and professional goals.
- Understand and meet eligibility requirements: Review the fellowship announcement or solicitation to ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements. These may include citizenship status, field of study, career/dissertation stage, and other sponsor-specific criteria.
- Assemble your team: Confirm your advisor’s support early in the process. Their guidance and letter of recommendation will be essential in preparing a strong application.
- Review the benefits: Read the solicitation to understand benefits that the fellowship provides, and consult your advisor and/or department business office to determine how the funds can be used, whether supplemental funding will be needed and is available, and how the fellowship might impact your benefits and roles at Purdue.
- Contact the sponsor (if appropriate): For some fellowships—such as the National Institute of Health (NIH) F-series fellowships—it is recommended to contact the program officer to confirm that you and your research are a good fit for the sponsor’s goals. For others—such as the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program (NDSEG)—contact is discouraged or not allowed. Always check the solicitation before reaching out.
Resources
- The Graduate Funding and Fellowships Office offers fellowship workshops year-round in collaboration with the Office of Professional Development. The monthly How to Find and Prepare Fellowship Applications workshop provides an introduction to starting the fellowship process. Check the schedule for additional sessions on popular fellowships for Purdue graduate students and postdocs.
- The Fellowship Finder database from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a great starting point for incoming and current graduate students with easy-to-use filters and a digestible but extensive database including the most common fellowships that graduate students apply for.
- Pivot offers a comprehensive database and advanced filters. It is particularly useful for postdocs and for graduate students seeking more targeted opportunities.
- Zintellect catalogs government and private sector STEM opportunities for graduate students and postdocs, including fellowships, internships, and scholarships.
- Contact trainee-funding@purdue.edu with any questions about finding fellowships or whether a fellowship is likely to be a good fit. Our team is here to support you.
Once you have identified an opportunity, it is time to prepare a strong application. Thoughtful planning and careful attention to each component help ensure your materials are complete, compelling, and clearly aligned with the fellowship’s objectives.
- Learn how the application should be submitted: Fellowships may be submitted directly, indirectly through Purdue Sponsored Programs Services (SPS), or via a limited nomination process. Direct submissions (e.g., NSF GRFP, NDSEG) are submitted by the student or postdoc through an online portal. Indirect submissions (e.g., NIH F31/F32) are submitted by SPS on your behalf; applicants must initiate a proposal through the Purdue Excellence in Research Administration (PERA) system at least 15 business days before the deadline. Limited submissions, or nomination-based fellowships (e.g., Google PhD Fellowship, Schmidt Science Fellows), restrict the number of allowed Purdue applicants. The Graduate Funding and Fellowships Office manages an internal review to select Purdue nominees. Internal applications are usually due 6–8 weeks before the fellowship deadline. Look for announcements in the Graduate Student Professional Development newsletter or from your department graduate coordinator. If you haven’t received a notice, email trainee-funding@purdue.edu.
- Understand all application components: Review the solicitation carefully to determine what components are needed and understand formatting and length requirements. Common components include a personal statement, research proposal, CV, and letters of recommendation.
- Create a task timeline: Allow ample time to draft materials, request and receive letters of recommendation, seek feedback, revise drafts, and meet SPS or internal deadlines.
- Draft application components: Write your materials using best practices for grant writing, communicating clearly to experts outside your specific field, and aligning your ideas and goals with those of the fellowship sponsor.
- Request letters of recommendation: Most fellowships require at least one letter from your primary advisor. For additional letters, choose individuals who can speak directly to the selection criteria, such as leadership, research ability, or community engagement. Give letter writers ample time and provide supporting materials, including your CV, drafts, and key points to highlight. Remind them of deadlines.
- Request and incorporate feedback: Share drafts with multiple reviewers, including your advisor, peers in your lab or department, mentors outside your immediate field, and fellowship writing coaches.
- Proofread and check formatting: Carefully review all materials for typos, clarity, and compliance with solicitation formatting and submission requirements.
Resources
Contact trainee-funding@purdue.edu for more information, to access these resources, or with any questions about preparing applications.
- Fellowship writing coaches: Work one-on-one with a writing coach for advice and feedback on draft materials. Drafts should be shared at least three weeks before the deadline (more time is best for early-stage drafts or multiple feedback rounds). Coaches can also answer questions earlier in the process.
- Repository of funded applications: Review example application materials from past Purdue fellowship recipients. E-mail us with the name of the fellowship you are applying for to request access.
- Workshops: Offered year-round in collaboration with the Office of Professional Development to help applicants find fellowship opportunities and prepare successful applications. The monthly Fellowship Coaching Hour provides an opportunity for participants to choose a topic of interest, such as condensing drafts and requesting letters of recommendation. Review the schedule for upcoming workshops and other topics.
- GRAD 590 Grant Writing Light course: An asynchronous, 1-credit online course covering best practices for grant and fellowship writing. Typically offered once per year.
- NIH F-Series Workshop: Runs September–February to prepare participants for submitting an NIH F30, F31, or F32 application for the April deadline. Participants are eligible for a $500 incentive award from OGSPS when they submit an F award application.
- Set up your fellowship and funding: Work with your advisor and department business office to activate the award in Purdue systems and process funding. They will be your primary points of contact for support on managing your fellowship.
- Review fellowship terms and conditions: Carefully read the sponsor’s requirements and confirm you understand them. Contact your sponsor, advisor, or business office for clarification if needed. Every fellowship is different, but requirements may include progress reports, limits on other funding or employment, enrollment expectations, and acknowledgement language for publications or presentations.
- Understand your benefits. Most fellowship recipients are not considered graduate employees and therefore are not eligible for graduate staff insurance plans. You are, however, eligible for Purdue’s student health insurance plan, and some fellowships provide a stipend toward insurance. More information about insurance benefits can be found at Purdue Student Health Insurance.
- Understand tax implications of your fellowship: Fellowship stipends are generally subject to income tax, while other payments (e.g., tuition support, mandatory fees, books, supplies) are not. For domestic students, income tax is not withheld from the stipend—you are responsible for making tax payments directly. For international students, federal income tax may be withheld from fellowship payments. The interpretation and implementation of the tax laws is the domain of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). OGSPS takes no position on the status of a particular taxpayer, nor does it have the authority to dispense tax advice. Students should consult a tax expert for advice. For general questions, contact tax@purdue.edu
Resources
- The Graduate Funding and Fellowships Manual offers detailed guidance on Purdue’s fellowship policies and procedures.
- Fellowship-specific guidance documents will outline the requirements and expectations unique to your award.
More in Funding & Fellowships
Explore the pages below to discover additional funding opportunities and resources.
Contact Information
Fellowships Main Office
Address: Young Hall, Room 170. 155 Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2114
Phone number: (765) 494-2600
Email addresses:
- For questions regarding applying for external fellowships: trainee-funding@purdue.edu
- For questions regarding OGSPS fellowships or managing awarded fellowships: fellowships@purdue.edu
- For questions regarding assistantships: gradfunding@purdue.edu