Assistantships and Fellowships
Purdue University, the College of Agriculture and academic departments offer several funding opportunities for graduate students. Some resources are provided here and applicants are encouraged to contract the chair of their graduate program of interest for additional information on funding opportunities.
Graduate Assistantships
Most graduate assistant positions are awarded and managed by academic departments and may involve teaching, research or administrative duties. Most graduate assistants are supported the equivalent of a full-time position and provided a stipend and tuition waiver. For more information, contact departmental graduate programs.
Graduate Fellowships
Many of our students are supported through graduate fellowships through the College of Agriculture or the graduate school. In some cases you may be encouraged to apply for a fellowship, but in most cases, your department will nominate you.
The Ag Data Services Graduate Research Fellowship is offered on an as-needed basis. More information is available here.
DEPARTMENT NOMINATIONS
The Andrews Fellowships are to attract exceptional Ph.D. students to Purdue University. Allocation of Andrews recruiting fellowships will be determined by a competitive process. The Assistant Dean and Associate Director of Research and Graduate Education in consultation with the Graduate Council in Agriculture will determine applicants to be recruited using an Andrews Fellowship. All graduate programs within the College can identify one active Ph.D. recruit to this competition.
The Ross Fellowships are for the recruitment of outstanding, Ph.D.-track students to Purdue University. Each program must provide information (to ARGE) on selection process and criteria used to identify the Ross fellowship candidate within their program.
The Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship, which is awarded by the Dean of the Graduate School, provides support to outstanding Ph.D. candidates in their final year of doctoral degree completion. This fellowship is awarded each year to students already in the graduate programs at Purdue. Nominations are initiated by graduate faculty and the top nominees for each program brought forward to Ag Research & Graduate Education (ARGE) by their respective graduate program chair.
The purpose of the Agriculture Research Graduate Research Assistantship Program is to attract and support promising graduate students who graduated from a U.S. high school that demonstrate the ability to contribute to a campus community of scholars where diverse perspectives, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences are welcomed, respected, and valued. to our graduate programs in the Colleges of Agriculture, Health and Human Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University and that are aligned with research and education priorities of USDA-NIFA.
Prospective Students
Charles C. Chappelle Fellowship
The Charles C. Chappelle Fellowship provides a one-year fellowship to students with undergraduate degrees from Purdue for furtherance of postgraduate research at the University. This fellowship includes a stipend, graduate tuition scholarships, payment of most fees and a medical insurance supplement. As a Graduate School managed fellowship, students must fill out and submit an online application themselves (not via faculty nomination).
Current Students
Ludwig Kruhe Fellowship
The Ludwig Kruhe Fellowship was established as a means for promoting a deeper understanding in global issues and international relations. It is intended for doctoral candidates in one of the following programs:
- Agricultural economics
- Civil engineering
- Foreign languages and literatures
- History
- Management
- Political science
As a Graduate School managed fellowship, students must fill out and submit an online application themselves (not via faculty nomination).
External Support
Several federal research agencies offer graduate (predoctoral) and postdoctoral research fellowships including: National Science Foundation; Fulbright; NASA; and National Institutes of Health (extramural program).
Funding for graduate students can come from many sources including agencies, nonprofits, private loans, federal financial aid, corporations, professional associations and many other places. Students are encouraged to explore internal and federal research agency support before considering other alternatives.
Additional information is available in the Graduate School Fellowship Manual (updated November 2023).
Helpful contacts:
Lisa Nielsen, Ph.D., Grant Writer and Director of Postdoctoral Office
The Graduate School
lnielse@purdue.edu