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Degree Type: Master's Students

David L. Boren Graduate Fellowship

National Deadline: Jan. 24, 2024, 2 p.m. (Pacific)

David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and regions that are underrepresented in study abroad programs, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are excluded.

Boren fellows represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. In exchange for funding, Boren fellows commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

The fellowships provide up to $25,000 for overseas study. In addition, Boren Fellowships can provide limited funding for domestic language study to supplement the overseas component. The maximum award for a combined overseas and domestic program is $30,000.

Information sessions

Check our Events & Deadlines calendar for upcoming information sessions. Sessions are typically held in autumn quarter.

Additional informational resources and webinar recordings are available on the Boren Awards website.

Eligibility

Boren Fellowships are for graduate students. You are eligible to apply if you are:

  • A U.S. citizen at the time of application.
  • Either matriculated in or applying to a graduate degree program at an accredited college or university in the United States. Boren Fellows must remain matriculated in their graduate programs for the duration of the fellowship and may not graduate until the fellowship is complete.
  • Planning an overseas program that meets home institution standards in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia or New Zealand. Boren Fellowships are not for study in the United States.

Application process

All application materials will be submitted online directly by the applicant; be sure to select the University of Washington as your current institution. Instructions for applicants who wish to participate in the UW Boren campus review process are forthcoming.

Apply for the Boren Fellowship

Additional resources

Questions?

Michelle Sutton in the Office of Fellowships and Awards can assist you with questions and provide application support.

Awardee Stories

Leoma James reflects on her Boren Fellowship experience in Tanzania
During her Master of Education program at the University of Washington, Leoma received an additional...
Introducing Boren Fellow Benjamin Kantner
David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide funding for U.S....
Boren Fellows on the application process
The Boren Fellowship is a unique opportunity for U.S. graduate students to study less commonly taught...

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UWRA Patricia Dougherty Fellowship in Aging

Award Information

The Graduate School is pleased to announce a competition for a fellowship for the 2024–25 academic year made possible through the generosity of the University of Washington Retirement Association (UWRA).

The UWRA Patricia Dougherty Fellowship in Aging is a one-quarter fellowship that supports graduate students of outstanding academic merit who have a demonstrated academic and personal interest in aging-related issues or concerns. The fellowship will provide a monthly stipend equivalent to the standard TA II level (currently $3,076/month), GAIP health insurance, and a waiver of state tuition for up to 18 credits (excluding U-PASS and international student fee) in the quarter when the student takes the fellowship. The choice of the quarter will be left to the discretion of the graduate student in consultation with his or her department.

Application Deadline: Thursday, February 8, 2024, noon (Pacific Time) 

Eligibility

At the time of application, students must be matriculated in a UW graduate degree tuition program (fee-based programs are not eligible) and not in their last year of study. The recipient of the award must be enrolled in full-time credits (at least 10) during the fellowship quarter. Students in fee-based programs are not eligible to apply.

Application Materials

  1. Academic/research statement (maximum of two double-spaced pages) describing the applicant’s academic/research interests in aging-related issues and concerns.
  2. Personal statement (maximum of two double-spaced pages) describing the applicant’s personal interests and background in aging-related issues and concerns—e.g. personal experience, community service, work experience or other involvement.
  3. Curriculum vitae (maximum of two-pages)
  4. Unofficial UW transcript showing graduate coursework (available as a PDF from MyUW). Undergraduate transcripts are not required but can be submitted if they show evidence of relevant coursework in aging studies.
  5. Letter of recommendation from the applicant’s faculty advisor, addressing the applicant’s academic and personal commitment to aging-related issues and concerns. The letter of recommendation should be submitted directly by the writer. Students will send out recommendation requests via the application in MyGrad.

Apply Now via MyGrad

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated academic focus on aging-related concerns or issues as evidenced through the academic/research statement, curriculum vitae, and letter of recommendation.
  • Personal commitment to aging-related concerns and issues as evidenced through the personal statement, letter of recommendation, curriculum vitae, etc.
  • Academic merit as evidenced through GPA, letter of recommendation, transcript, and curriculum vitae.

Questions?

Contact the Office of Fellowships and Awards.

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Sinegal UW Graduate and Professional Fellowship

Award Information

The Sinegal UW Graduate and Professional Fellowship was established in honor of Jim Sinegal and his commitment to educational access and equity. The Sinegal Fellowship provides support for Costco Scholars who graduated from either the University of Washington or Seattle University and who are pursuing an advanced degree at the UW.

The Sinegal Fellowship is a 2-year award with a stipend of $10,000 each year ($20,000 total plus tuition coverage if the awardee is in a state-based program).  

Application deadline: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

Eligibility

  • Enrolled full-time in a master’s, doctoral, or professional degree program at the University of Washington for the 2024–25 academic year. Priority given to students enrolled in a 2+ year graduate program (2024–25 and 2025–26). 
  • Undergraduate Costco Scholars at either the University of Washington or Seattle University. 
  • Demonstrated financial need. Determination of financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) as evaluated by the University of Washington’s Office of Student Financial Aid. 

Selection Criteria

  • Active participation in the Costco Scholars program while an undergraduate
  • Academic merit
  • Financial need
  • Demonstrated commitment to community service

Expectations

Sinegal Fellowship recipients are expected to remain in good academic standing. Recipients will be expected to help the UW properly thank donors who contributed to their award by participating in stewardship activities which include:

  • Promptly completing a thank you letter
  • Attending the annual Costco Scholarship Fund Breakfast (September)
  • Serving as a mentor for undergraduate Costco Scholars by participating in various programs (Orientation, Ignite Your Career, etc.)

How to Apply

Newly admitted graduate students apply directly to the Sinegal UW Graduate and Professional Fellowship via this application form.

Continuing graduate students apply directly to the Sinegal UW Graduate and Professional Fellowship via the MyGrad student portal. 

Questions?

For further information about the Sinegal UW Graduate and Professional Student Fellowship, please contact the Office of Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (uwgsee@uw.edu, 206.543.9016) or Erica Sahota (ejvalle@uw.edu).

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International Research Fellowships

Funded by the Chester Fritz and Boeing International endowments

These one-quarter grants provide support to UW graduate students doing research that takes place outside of the United States. Successful applicants are awarded either a Chester Fritz Fellowship or a Boeing International Fellowship.

The fellowships are available to fund research periods of one quarter (three full months) abroad during the 2024–2025 year (autumn 2024–summer 2025). These awards DO NOT support faculty-led UW study abroad programs. 

Awardees will receive a stipend of $2,800 per month, and paid health insurance (GAIP). During the quarter of their award, fellows are required to register for independent learning through UW Study Abroad. The program fee is covered by this fellowship. No extra money is included for airfare.

AWARD DEADLINE: Monday, February 26, 2024, noon (Pacific)

Eligibility

  • Must be a currently enrolled student in a UW master’s or doctoral tuition-based graduate program at the time of application and receipt of fellowship. Students who are on academic leave are not eligible.
  • Students in fee-based programs are not eligible.
  • Students who have already received a previous Graduate School International Research Fellowship are ineligible.

Application Materials

All of the following materials must be received by the application deadline in order for applicants to be considered; no late materials will be accepted. For a more thorough description of the required materials, please refer to the online application.

  1. Statement of purpose or outline of research project
  2. Timeline (by week) of proposed research activities
  3. Documentation of affiliation (optional but recommended)
  4. CV/Resume
  5. Unofficial UW Transcript
  6. One letter of recommendation. Applicants will designate a recommender via MyGrad.
Open an application in MyGrad

Selection Criteria

Criteria for selection are not limited to but include:

  • Explanation of the research that will be done on the fellowship
  • Evidence of the relationship between the proposed research and the applicant’s academic program
  • Evidence of the necessity to go overseas to conduct the research and the relevance of the university or locale to the planned research
  • Evidence of appropriate skills (including language competence) and support (including evidence of affiliation, if required or appropriate) to carry out the proposed project
  • If applicable, demonstration of the proposal’s innovativeness or contribution to the field

Applicants are not required to affiliate with an institution; however, your application will be stronger if you have arranged an affiliation that will provide you access and/or facilities to do your research/ study, or if you can demonstrate you are in the process of arranging such an affiliation.

Terms of Award

Successful applicants are expected to be in-country for the three months of the quarter in which they receive this fellowship.

Successful applicants may not receive funding or salary from another source comparable to the Fritz or Boeing Fellowship during the quarter in which they receive this fellowship. One-time travel or research grant funding may be acceptable with prior approval from the Office of Fellowships and Awards.

If the research includes systematic collection of information about or from humans or animals, the fellowship will not be disbursed until the student has received either approval or exemption from the Human Subjects Division or the Office of Animal Welfare. It may take several months to complete the process. Complying with Human Subjects Division or Animal Welfare review is the responsibility of the student, in coordination with their faculty advisor and department chair.

Travel to countries under U.S. travel warnings may not be permitted while on this fellowship. Students can consult with the Office of Fellowships and Awards for more information.

Questions?

Michelle Sutton in the Office of Fellowships & Awards can assist you.

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Bonderman Graduate Travel Fellowship

Bonderman Graduate Travel Fellowships are intended to provide an intensive solo travel experience to expand personal horizons. The fellowship is not for research projects, formal study at a foreign university, or internships abroad.

DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 29, 2023, noon (PST)

Eligibility

  • Must be a University of Washington graduate student, or graduate business, law or other professional student
  • Must be registered in course credits in a degree program during winter quarter 2023 (being on leave is not considered enrolled)
  • Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident

For undergraduate eligibility, please see the Bonderman Fellowship website.

Application process

To view information about the application process and access the application, please visit the Bonderman Fellowship website.

Questions?

Information sessions will be held; dates, times, and locations can be found on the Bonderman Fellowship website.

For questions not answered at a session, you may email bonderman@uw.edu.

Awardee Stories

Natalie Gasca — A Biostatistician Travels the World
Natalie Gasca, a PhD student in Biostatistics, discusses the transformative experience of the Bonderman Fellowship...
Channing Nesbitt Looks Forward to Bonderman Adventure
 … “it will be a reformative time of life. I plan to come back very...

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Alfonso Carlos Peña Graduate Fellowship

The Peña Graduate Fellowship was established to provide support to graduate students engaged in research and/or activities related to wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ (Intellectual House). Awardees must have financial need and an interest in and a commitment to addressing social and environmental issues impacting American Indian, Alaska Native, and/or other indigenous communities.

Deadline: Monday, June 12 , 2023, at 11:59 p.m. PDT. No exceptions will be made. ***Please note: This application is now closed for the 2023-2024 academic year. It will reopen again for new applications for the 2024-2025 academic year during Spring quarter 2024. 

Eligibility

  • Graduate students currently enrolled in full-time master’s or doctoral program (10+ credits per quarter), AND previously enrolled in the 2020-21 academic year
  • Demonstrated financial need (FAFSA, WASFA or equivalent)
  • US citizen, DACAmented, undocumented or hold permanent resident status
  • Tribal enrollment verification or proof of lineage for American Indian and Alaska Native students
  • Students in fee-based programs are eligible for the $20,000 stipend and GAIP coverage (no tuition coverage)
  • The following are ineligible:
    • Students who hold an F1 or J1 visa or will be enrolled in a foreign study, study abroad or international program or exchange
    • Students enrolled in MD/JD/DDS/PharmD programs

Nomination Process

Nominations must be made by the department in the MyGrad awards management system. Please login to nominate a student and submit the following:

  • Letter of nomination from Department Chair or GPC describing how the graduate student meets the eligibility for the Peña Graduate Fellowship, the department’s plan for the second year of funding and how the department will provide support (outside of funding) to the student throughout their graduate studies at the University of Washington.
  • Statement from student addressing their interest in and commitment to addressing social and environmental issues impacting American Indian, Alaska Native and/or indigenous communities

Questions?

Regarding questions about the Alfonso Carlos Peña Graduate Fellowship, please contact GSEE at gomap@uw.edu or 206.543.9016.

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‘Be stubborn…keep trying,’ advises Mindy Cohoon on applying for fellowships

“I applied and applied and applied, and the third time I applied, I got it.”

Graduate student Mindy Cohoon, speaking of her process applying for the Simpson Center’s Digital Humanities Fellowship

Between her undergraduate and graduate years, Near and Middle Eastern Studies Ph.D. student Mindy Cohoon has received 23 fellowships, grants and scholarships.  She credits her success to three factors: careful attention to the mission of the fellowship, getting feedback on her essays and applying to at least 10 fellowships per year.

Cohoon’s experience demonstrates an important truth about applying for fellowships: being rejected is a necessary component of success.  Accept that you will sometimes be rejected and that it might be due to factors beyond your control.  If you apply broadly and consistently for fellowships, then you will be rejected by some funders. Rejection does not mean that you are a weak applicant or that your research is unimportant. Funders are usually trying to select awardees from a pool of excellent applicants, so being rejected could mean that you missed being awarded by a hair’s breadth.  

Among the awards Mindy has recently received are:

The Maurice and Lois Schwartz Fellowship (due Jan 15) and the Roshan Institute Fellowship for Excellence in Persian Studies (due April 04) from the UW Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) Social Data Research and Dissertation Fellowship

Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships (due Jan 31)

Cohoon described her strategies for applying for fellowships and her research on Iranian and Iranian American women gamers to the Graduate School. Read the story here.