Throughout the year, there are funding opportunities that the Graduate School becomes aware of that graduate students are eligible for. This page is to assist graduate students in finding ways to fund their research, teaching and education. Please contact Sean Hendricks at shendrick@utk.edu with any funding opportunities to add to this list. For information on known assistantship opportunities, visit the Graduate Assistantships page.

UT Opportunities

The following opportunities are administered through a UT office or organization, such as the Graduate Student Senate or OIT.

Global Catalyst Programming Grants

The Center for Global Engagement announces funding for Global Catalyst Programming Grants. These funds will support activities and programs on the University of Tennessee’s Knoxville campus or at the Institute of Agriculture. All supported activities must focus on international content. Deadline for applications is November 19, 2021 at 5:00pm.

Global Catalyst Student International Travel Grants

The Center for Global Engagement announces funding for Global Catalyst International Travel Grants for Students. These funds will support both undergraduate and graduate students’ travel for the purpose of attending an internationally-based conference or workshop. These grants can also be used to support UT students’ international research. Students from either the University of Tennessee’s Knoxville campus or the Institute of Agriculture may apply. Deadline for applications is November 19, 2021 at 5:00pm.

Graduate and Professional Student Support Programs

The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) and the Graduate School are overseeing two student support programs for the academic year 2021-22. The GSS Travel Awards provide support to students who are presenting UT research at in-person professional conferences. The GSS Academic Support Awards help reimburse students who have expenses associated with their academic training. Funding for these programs is limited, so it is possible that all funds could be disbursed before all needs are met. In order to support as many students as possible, students may only apply for one award per academic year.

Open Publishing Support Fund

The Open Publishing Support Fund is to improve access to research produced at the University of Tennessee and to raise awareness of the benefits of open-access. The fund can be used to cover article processing charges (APCs) levied by peer-reviewed open access journals. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis to a maximum of $2500 per request. When the annual allocation is exhausted, no additional funds will be available until the following fiscal year.

Student/Faculty Research Awards

The Student/Faculty Research Awards are awards to be used to advance the work for both faculty and graduate students. Every award requires a Student PI and a Faculty PI. Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded to student/faculty pairs who submit proposals for funds to support research or creative projects.

External Opportunities

The following opportunities are administered by organizations or institutions that are external to UT, such as government or private philanthropic organizations.

Council of American Overseas Research Center (CAORC) Multi-Country Research Fellowship

The CAORC Multi-Country Research Fellowship Program supports advanced regional or trans-regional research in the humanities, social sciences, or allied natural sciences for U.S. doctoral candidates and scholars who have already earned their PhD. Preference will be given to candidates examining comparative and/or cross-regional research. Applicants are eligible to apply as individuals or in teams.

Scholars must carry out research in two or more countries outside the United States, at least one of which hosts a participating American overseas research center. Approximately nine awards of up to $11,500 each will be given. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.​

Deadline to apply is November 16, 2021. To apply visit www.caorc.org/fellowships.

Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF)

The DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF) is for exceptional undergraduate seniors or first or second-year graduate students planning full-time study toward a PhD in the physical, engineering, computer, mathematical, or life sciences. Recipients receive payments of all tuition and required fees for up to 4 years of study, $38,000 yearly stipend, yearly academic allowance of $1000, and opportunity to complete a practicum at a national DOE laboratory. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and must apply online. The application deadline is January 13, 2021.

Department of Energy NNSA Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowship

The DOE NNSA Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowship is for exceptional graduate students planning full-time study toward a PhD. in the areas of interest to stewardship science, such as high-energy density physics, nuclear science, or properties of materials under extreme conditions. Recipients receive payments of all tuition and required fees for up to 4 years of study, $36,000 yearly stipend, yearly academic allowance of $1,000, and opportunity to complete a practicum at a national DOE laboratory. Applicants must be US citizens enrolled as full-time graduate students. Applicants must apply online. The application deadline for 2021-2020 is January 6, 2021.

Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program

The goal of the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is to prepare graduate students for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) careers critically important to the DOE Office of Science mission, by providing graduate thesis research opportunities at DOE laboratories. The SCGSR program provides supplemental awards to support part of a graduate student’s thesis research to be conducted at a DOE laboratory. Supplemental awards are intended to cover incremental costs associated with living and travel expenses during the award period. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have obtained PhD candidacy at the time of application. Visit the SCGSR program for complete information about the program, eligibility requirements and application instructions. The application is currently closed for 2022 applications, but will reopen in August 2022 for a deadline in November 2022. 

Ellings-Korduba Research Fellowship

The Richard Ellings and Marta Korduba Research Fellowship at The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) offers a three-month research and professional development fellowship designed for current graduate and advanced undergraduate students whose degrees focus on issues of strategic importance to the United States in Asia. The application deadline is February 28, 2022.

Fulbright Scholar Program

The U.S. Fulbright Scholar Program offers nearly 470 teaching, research or combination teaching/research awards in over 125 countries. Opportunities are available for college and university faculty and administrators as well as for professionals, artists, journalists, scientists, lawyers, independent scholars and many others. In addition to several new program models designed to meet the changing needs of U.S. academics and professionals, Fulbright is offering more opportunities for flexible, multi-country grants. Visit the website to find a program, determine your eligibility, and learn how to apply. These programs are open to U.S. citizens and the deadline for the 2022-2023 program is September 15, 2021. For more information contact scholars@iie.org.

NAGAP Graduate Education Research Grant

NAGAP Graduate Education Research Grant is designed to encourage emerging knowledge and understanding of the complexities of Graduate Enrollment Management (GEM), including all aspects of admissions and recruitment, enrollment, retention and student affairs, as well as graduation and alumni engagement. It is open to all graduate students, and professionals with doctoral degrees currently conducting research that aligns with the themes of GEM in graduate, professional, masters and doctoral education. Deadline for applications to the 2022-2023 cycle is October 26, 2021

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)

The NSF GRFP is designed to support outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees. The five-year fellowship includes three years of financial support including an annual stipend of $34,000 and a cost of education allowance of $12,000 to the institution.

PEO International

PEO International is a US-based philanthropic organization established in 1869. The organization is dedicated to helping women from the US and other countries further their education. The projects which provide assistance to women pursuing graduate studies are:

• PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund
• The PEO Program for Continuing Education
• PEO Scholar Awards

For further assistance and information about applying for these awards, contact the local PEO representative, Bobbie Scull, peorasus@gmail.com.

Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program

The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program offers opportunities for independent research or study related to Smithsonian collections, facilities, and/or research interests of the Institution and its staff. Fellowships are offered to graduate students, predoctoral students, and postdoctoral and senior investigators to conduct independent research and to utilize the resources of the Institution with members of the Smithsonian professional research staff serving as advisors and hosts. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2021.