Fellowships are an important source of funding designed to help graduate students meet their educational and research expenses. Some fellowships are awarded institutionally by the Graduate School or by academic college and department committees, while others are awarded by external agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the Social Sciences Research Council. Your academic department is your primary resource for information about funding opportunities, both internal and external.

In addition to the possibility of getting funded, the fellowship application process itself can be an important experience in your academic and professional development. It will help you learn to articulate "your case" in a convincing way, including presenting your credentials, goals for study and research, and letters of recommendation. Fellowship applications can also serve as a personal progress check for your graduate career, helping you identify areas that should be enhanced or developed.

Learn more about graduate fellowships

How are fellowships different from assistantships?

Frequently asked questions about fellowships

Graduate School Administered Fellowships

These fellowships require nomination by your academic program. You can find full descriptions, eligibility requirements, and deadlines on the Graduate School awards page.

College or Program-Based Fellowships

Over 170 departmental and academic college-based fellowship programs sponsored by industry, foundations, and government agencies are available to graduate students at Oregon State University. Search for an OSU fellowship that fits your academic goals.

National Science Foundation Award

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP) is a national award program of prestigious fellowships given each year to a select group of master’s and doctoral students in science and engineering fields in recognition of their academic and professional excellence.

PNNL-OSU Distinguished Graduate Research Program

Through the PNNL-OSU Distinguished Graduate Research Program (DGRP), Ph.D. candidates will earn a stipend along with benefits while working under a prestigious graduate committee on nationally relevant research. It is a unique opportunity to tap into the knowledge and world-class research infrastructure available at both institutions.

External Fellowships

Find a large collection of national fellowships and scholarships where students may apply directly to the granting organization or agency. Also included is a worksheet to organize information about prospective funders and links to web resources and scholarship search engines.

Strategies for Finding External Funding

This list of best practices will help make sure you are on the right path to finding external funding.