Fellowship Opportunities

Fellowship Opportunities
Many fellowship opportunities are available through the Graduate School for students enrolled and seeking a degree in one of our many graduate departments.  These fellowships each have different purposes and eligibility criteria, so you will want to read through the information below carefully.  All fellowships, unless otherwise noted, are DGS nominated, which means your Director of Graduate Studies decides who from your department to nominate for the award.  If you believe that you meet the criteria for a fellowship and are interested in being nominated, please contact your Director of Graduate Studies.

Fellowships that carry a tuition scholarship are subject to current tuition policies.

Send questions to Catherine Brown at grad.fellowships@uky.edu or 257-3261.

Fellowships are divided into three main categories (each category list in order of Nomination Deadline): 

Allocated Fellowships
Allocated fellowships are fellowships that are given to your department to distribute.  Your department may receive a limited number of these fellowships, and will determine which students will receive them.  While the Graduate School will ordinarily accept the program’s nomination, it reserves the right to decline a nomination in unusual circumstances.  Since allocated fellows are selected by the departments, there is not a competition with a fellowship committee from the Graduate School Council.  Students may only be nominated by the Director of Graduate Studies—students cannot self-nominate for allocated fellowships.

Directors of Graduate Studies may nominate students for allocated fellowships by clicking on the link for the online nomination form, listed under each fellowship.

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Daniel R Reedy Quality Achievement Fellowship Award
For First-Year Graduate Students 2010-2011
Nomination Deadline: Monday, March 1, 2010
Amount: $3000 per year as an add-on to a full assistantship or fellowship

The Daniel R. Reedy Quality Achievement Fellowship Awards are intended to enhance the competitive ability of UK programs to attract outstanding first-year graduate students. Awards of $3000 per year are available to be used as “add-on” funding to supplement full fellowships or assistantships. The awards are potentially renewable for a second year for master's students or for a total of three years for doctoral students (students going from a master’s degree to a doctoral degree will be eligible for a second year renewal, but not a third). Reedy Quality Achievement Awards will be disbursed to the recipient’s student account as two lump sum payments, $1500 in August 2010, and $1500 in January 2011.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees must be enrolling for their first term of study in the program in a 2010 summer session or the 2010 Fall Semester
• Students must have achieved the 90th percentile or above on one portion of the GRE or GMAT
• Nominees must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 or above
• Nominees must have a graduate grade point average of 3.5 or above on any previous graduate work at other institutions
• Nominees must have the equivalent of either a full-time fellowship or full-time assistantship in order to receive this award

Daniel R Reedy Fellowship Award Online Nomination Form

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Max Steckler Fellowship
For First Year or Continuing Graduate Students, Doctoral Only
Nomination Deadline: Monday, May 3, 2010
Amount: $3000

Thanks to a generous bequest from the estate of Max Steckler, the seven graduate programs below have funding available for awards in the amount of $3,000.00 for doctoral students selected by the department.  The programs are: Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Business Administration, Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics, and Physics.  Steckler awards are for one year only and are not renewable.  Steckler Awards will be disbursed to the recipient’s student account as one lump sum payment of $3000 in August 2010.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees may be enrolling in the nominating program for their first term of study or be a continuing student
• Nominees must be in a PhD program, and in good standing

Max Steckler Fellowship Online Nomination Form

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Graduate School Academic Year Fellowship
For First Year or Continuing Graduate Students
Nomination Deadline: Monday, May 3, 2010
Amount: $15,000, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance

The Graduate School Academic Year Fellowships are allocated every three years through a departmental competition.   The current allocations are for 2008-2011.  These fellowships carry a $15,000.00 annual stipend, tuition scholarship, and student health insurance.   The currently eligible programs are: Animal and Food Science, Behavioral Science, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Classical Languages and Literature, Communications, Diplomacy, Entomology, Geography, Hispanic Studies, IBS*, Music, Nursing, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philosophy, Plant Pathology, Plant Physiology, Psychology, Public Policy and Administration.  Graduate School Academic Year Fellowships are disbursed as bi-weekly stipend payments through payroll.
 
*IBS includes Anatomy & Neurobiology; Nutritional Sciences; Toxicology; Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics; Molecular & Biomedical Pharmacology; Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry; Physiology—students must be entering the IBS program in Fall 2010 and must be nominated by the IBS department) 

 Criteria for Eligibility:

•  Nominees must have achieved an 81st percentile or higher on one portion of the GRE or GMAT in order to be eligible
• Nominees must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 on all previous undergraduate work and a 3.5 on all previous graduate work
• Fellowship holders must be enrolled full-time (9 credit hours, 2hours of 767, or 769/749 for zero credit) during the fellowship period
• A GGPA of 3.25 must be maintained during the term of the fellowship

Graduate School Academic Year Fellowship Online Nomination Form

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Kentucky Opportunity Fellowship
For First Year or Continuing Graduate Students
Nomination Deadline: Monday, May 3, 2010
Amount: $15,000, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance

As a result of having been identified as a program that has achieved national distinction or is well-positioned to gain such recognition, over 30 graduate programs have been identified by the Graduate School to receive a Kentucky Opportunity Fellowship to use for the recruitment of highly qualified graduate students, or to retain excellent, currently-enrolled students.  These fellowships include a $15,000.00 annual stipend, tuition scholarship, and student health insurance.  The eligible programs are: Agricultural Economics, Anatomy and Neurobiology, Animal Sciences, Anthropology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Business Administration, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Communication, Computer Science, Ecology Evolution and Behavior, Economics, Electrical Engineering, English, Geography, Gerontology, Hispanic Studies, History, Mathematics, Microbiology and Immunology, Music, Nutritional Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Physiology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology, Psychology, Public Administration, Special Education, Toxicology, Veterinary Science

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees must have achieved an 81st percentile or higher on one portion of the GRE or GMAT in order to be eligible.
• Nominees must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 on all previous undergraduate work and a 3.5 on all previous graduate work.
• Fellowship holders must be enrolled full-time (9 credit hours, 2 hours or 767, or 769/749 for zero credit) during the fellowship period.
• A GGPA of 3.25 must be maintained during the term of the fellowship

Kentucky Opportunity Fellowship Online Nomination Form

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Competitive Fellowships
Competitive Fellowships are fellowships for which the Director of Graduate Studies nominates a student (or students), and the nomination packet is then forwarded to a fellowship committee, who review and judge the fellowship nomination packets and determine a fellowship recipient.  Some of the competitive fellowships have only one fellowship recipient per year, and some have more than one.  Students may only be nominated by the Director of Graduate Studies—students cannot self-nominate for these competitive fellowships.

Directors of Graduate Studies may nominate students for competitive fellowships by clicking on the link for the online nomination form, listed under each fellowship.  In addition to the fellowship nomination form, the following must be submitted before the deadline for the nomination packet to be considered complete and to be forwarded on to the fellowship committee:

• Two letters of recommendation from references familiar with the student’s academic or career achievements and aspirations
• The student’s curriculum vitae, not to exceed 4 pages
• A statement from the student, not to exceed 2 pages, detailing their academic and career achievements and aspirations, the research they have worked on in their area of study, as well as details discussing how they meet the criteria for and purpose of the specific fellowship for which they are being nominated (for example, a James Still Fellowship nominee would discuss their ties to Appalachia; a Jeffrey Fellowship nominee would discuss their tobacco-related research, etc.)
• Additional items may be required by specific fellowships—please read the information below for each fellowship to see if anything else is required for the nomination packet

These documents may be attached to the original online nomination form, or may be sent by email (to grad.fellowships@uky.edu) to the Graduate School at a later date.  However, all necessary components of the fellowship packet must be received on or before the due date listed for the fellowship.  Incomplete nomination packets and late documents cannot be forwarded to the fellowship committee after the due date.  The Graduate School will pull GRE/GMAT scores, transcripts, and the QE date (for the Dissertation Year Fellowship) for all fellowships, so these will not need to be included in the nomination packet.

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Lexmark Fellowship
THE LEXMARK FELLOWSHIP WILL NOT BE OFFERED FOR THE 2010-2011 ACADEMIC YEAR.
For First Year or Continuing Graduate Students
Nomination Deadline: Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Amount: $12,000, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance

Endowed by the Lexmark Corporation, the Lexmark Graduate Fellowship is a $12,000 award designed to assist students who are pursuing graduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science. Preference shall be given to minorities and females so long as they remain disproportionately represented in the above disciplines. The fellowship carries a tuition scholarship for fall and spring and student health insurance, as well as a summer internship.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees must be pursuing a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science
• Nominees must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or above
• Nominees must have a graduate grade point average of 3.5 or above on any previous graduate work
• Awards will be made based on a combination of academic achievement and financial need.
• Preference shall be given to minorities and females so long as they remain under-represented in the above disciplines

• Awardees must be available to participate in a paid summer internship with Lexmark. The internship will be scheduled to begin in May or June 2010

Lexmark Fellowship Online Nomination Form

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Northern Kentucky UK Alumni Club Fellowship
For First Year or Continuing Graduate Students
Nomination Deadline: Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Amount: $5,000, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance for one term

Endowed by a gift from the Northern Kentucky UK Alumni Club, this fellowship will be given to support one full-time, new or currently enrolled, degree-seeking graduate student. Preference is given to residents of Northern Kentucky (defined as residents of Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, and Kenton Counties) who are considered in-state residents. The fellowship provides a $5,000 stipend, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance for one semester. The student may choose to receive the fellowship in the fall term or the spring term.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or above
• Nominees must have a graduate grade point average of 3.2 or above on any previous graduate work
• Nominees must be full-time graduate students in a master's or doctoral program at the University of Kentucky
• Awards will be based on academic achievement
• The nominee’s statement should include academic aspirations and note any ties to Northern Kentucky
• Preference will be given to residents of Northern Kentucky (defined as residents of Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, and Kenton Counties) who are considered in-state residents

Directors of Graduate Studies should log in to the Graduate School Database under the ‘For DGSs’ webpage to complete fellowship nominations, or follow the link below:

DGS logon page for Graduate School Database

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Dissertation Year Fellowship
For Currently Enrolled Graduate Students
Nomination Deadline: Friday, February 5, 2010
Amount: $16,000, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance

In order to enhance the research dimension of graduate education, the President’s Office has provided funding to support Dissertation Year Fellowships for the 2010-2011 Academic Year. The fellowship will carry a stipend of $16,000, a tuition scholarship and student health insurance. The Dissertation Year Fellowship is a 12-month award from July –June, as long as recipients are enrolled.

Criteria for Eligibility

• The qualifying examination must have been successfully completed by December 7, 2009
• The candidate's record should give evidence of outstanding scholastic and scholarly achievement
• The candidate must include a brief prospectus of the dissertation research project approved by his/her advisory committee
• The candidate must be in residence at the University of Kentucky and devote full-time to dissertation research during the tenure of the fellowship (additional positions/employment are not allowed)
• Prior recipients of a Dissertation Year Fellowship are not eligible for a second award because the expectation is that students will defend their dissertation at the end of the fellowship year
• Students who want to hold assistantships or outside employment during the fellowship year cannot be nominated
• Students working on their second PhD cannot be nominated
• Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate the potential to complete the dissertation during the award year

Note to Directors of Graduate Studies:  Programs may submit two nominations for the Dissertation Year Fellowship.  Awards will be based on the quality of the individual student and their work

Additional Documents Required:
In addition to the documents required for the competitive fellowship nomination packet (listed above under ‘Competitive Fellowships’), nominees must submit 1) A photocopy of the approved prospectus (not to exceed five double-spaced pages in length). The prospectus must be written in a manner that makes it comprehensible to readers who are not from the candidate's field of study; and 2) Evidence of the applicant's research capabilities as demonstrated by abstracts of research presented, publications and/or papers accepted for publication, other honors or outstanding achievements of the nominee. Applicants should submit no more than two abstracts of their research, and the abstracts should be no more than one page each.
The letters of recommendation should include statements regarding the significance of the proposed dissertation research and its potential contribution to the field of study.

Directors of Graduate Studies should log in to the Graduate School Database under the ‘For DGSs’ webpage to complete fellowship nominations, or follow the link below:

DGS logon page for Graduate School Database

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Multi-Year Fellowship
For First Year Graduate Students, 2010-2011
Nomination Deadline: Monday, February 15, 2010
Amount: $18,000 per year, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance

Pursuant to the President’s response to the Committee on Graduate Education at the University of Kentucky, starting with the 1998-99 academic year the Graduate School began offering Multi-Year Fellowships that carry a stipend of $18,000, a tuition scholarship, and student health insurance. Intended to enhance the competitive ability of UK programs, Multi-Year Fellowships are designed to attract outstanding first-year graduate students being newly recruited to the University of Kentucky. Multi-Year Fellowships are 12-month awards.  The awards are potentially renewable for a second year for master's students or for a total of three years for doctoral students (students going from a master’s degree to a doctoral degree will be eligible for a second year renewal, but not a third).

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees must be enrolling for their first term of study in the program in a 2010 Summer Session or the 2010 Fall Semester; nominees cannot be currently enrolled as graduate students at UK
• Nominees may not have received previous graduate or professional degrees from UK
• Nominees must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 or above
• Nominees must have a graduate grade point average of 3.7 or above on any previous graduate work
• Nominees must have achieved the 90th percentile or above on one portion of the GRE or GMAT

• Students in professional programs (Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Pharmacy, etc.) are NOT eligible

Note to Directors of Graduate Studies:  Programs may submit two nominations for the Multi-Year Fellowship.  Programs that submit two nominations must rank their nominees.

Directors of Graduate Studies should log in to the Graduate School Database under the ‘For DGSs’ webpage to complete fellowship nominations, or follow the link below:

DGS logon page for Graduate School Database

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Lexington Herald-Leader Fellowship
For First Year or Continuing Graduate Students
Nomination Deadline: Monday, February 15, 2010
Amount: $15,000, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance

Endowed by a gift from the Lexington Herald-Leader, this fellowship will support one currently enrolled or newly admitted student pursuing a graduate degree outside of the field of journalism.  The eligible programs are: Accounting, Agricultural Economics, Anthropology, Art History, Art Studio, Business Administration, Classics, Communication, Decision Science and Information Systems, Diplomacy, Economics, English, Family Studies, Finance, French, Geography, German, Health Administration, Hispanic Studies, Historic Preservation, History, Hospitality and Dietetics Administration, Interior Design, Library Science, Management, Marketing, Merchandising Textile and Apparel, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Sociology, Theatre.  The aim of the fellowship is to retain excellent Kentucky students from minority and poverty backgrounds in the local community. The fellowship provides a $15,000 stipend, a tuition scholarship, and student health insurance, as well as a summer internship.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or above
• Nominees must have a graduate grade point average of 3.5 or above on any previous graduate work
• Nominees must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the University’s Office of Student Financial Aid
• New students applying to enter a program whose most recent degree is from a college or university outside the U.S. are not eligible
• Students applying to either master's or doctoral programs in the programs listed above are eligible
• Awardees must be available to participate in a paid 12-week summer internship with the Herald-Leader. The internship will be scheduled to begin in May or June 2010

• Awardees must be available for a year-long mentoring experience with a manager of the Herald-Leader

Directors of Graduate Studies should log in to the Graduate School Database under the ‘For DGSs’ webpage to complete fellowship nominations, or follow the link below:

DGS logon page for Graduate School Database

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Graduate Fellowship for Selected Areas
For First Year Graduate Students, 2010-2011
Nomination Deadline: Monday, February 15, 2010
Amount: $16,000, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance

Awards of $16,000 are available for female applicants in program areas in which 30 percent or fewer doctorates have been awarded to women, according to National Research Council data. Eligible programs are Agricultural Economics, Biomedical Engineering, Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, Computer Science, Crop Science, Economics, all College of Engineering programs, Entomology, Geology, Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy, Radiation Science, and Soil Science. Fellowships are 12-month awards.  The fellowship carries a tuition scholarship for fall and spring and student health insurance.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees must be applying for or enrolling in their first term of study in one of the above-named programs in a 2010 summer session or the 2010 Fall Semester. Candidates cannot be currently enrolled in one UK graduate program with the intent of entering a new program and holding simultaneous enrollment in both
• Nominees must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 or above
• Nominees must have a graduate grade point average of 3.5 or above on any previous graduate work
• Nominees must have achieved the 81st percentile or higher on one portion of the GRE or GMAT

Directors of Graduate Studies should log in to the Graduate School Database under the ‘For DGSs’ webpage to complete fellowship nominations, or follow the link below:

DGS logon page for Graduate School Database

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James Still Fellowship for Graduate Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences
For First Year Graduate Students, 2010-2011
Nomination Deadline: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Amount: $15,000 per year, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance

A fellowship is available for graduate study in the humanities and social sciences at the University of Kentucky for an entering graduate student who graduated from a high school in the Appalachian region.  Eligible programs include: Accountancy, Agricultural Economics, Anthropology, Business Administration, Classics, Communication, Diplomacy, Economics, Education, English, Family Studies, Fine Arts, the foreign languages, Geography, Health Administration, Historic Preservation, History, Hospitality and Dietetics Administration, Interior Design, Library Science, Merchandising Textile and Apparel, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work and Sociology.  The fellowship includes an annual stipend of $15,000, a tuition scholarship and student health insurance. The award is potentially renewable for a second year for master's students or for a total of three years for doctoral students. The awards, named to honor author James Still, are endowed by a gift from the Bingham Fund. James Still Fellowships are 12-month awards, as long as the fellow remains enrolled.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees must have graduated from a high school in the Appalachian region (for a list of qualifying counties, please refer to the Appalachian Regional Commission website at http://www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=27)
• Non-traditional students and those with demonstrated financial need are encouraged to apply
• Nominees must be applying to or enrolling in their first year of study in the graduate program
• Nominees must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 or above
• Nominees must have a graduate grade point average of 3.5 or above on any previous graduate work

Additional Documents Required:
In addition to the documents required for the competitive fellowship nomination packet (listed above under ‘Competitive Fellowships’), nominees are also required to submit the name and address of the school from which they received their high school diploma.

Directors of Graduate Studies should log in to the Graduate School Database under the ‘For DGSs’ webpage to complete fellowship nominations, or follow the link below:

DGS logon page for Graduate School Database

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Jeffrey Research Fellowship for Tobacco Research
For First Year or Continuing Graduate Students
Nomination Deadline: Friday, February 19, 2010
Amount: $15,000, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance

The Jeffrey Fellowship was established by Mrs. Helen Lasby Jeffrey in memory of her husband, Dr. Robert N. Jeffrey. The primary purpose of the Jeffrey program is to provide financial support to graduate students engaged in research on tobacco at the University of Kentucky.  The Jeffrey Fellowship is a 12-month award, with a stipend of $15,000 per year, plus a tuition scholarship and student health insurance.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees for the Jeffrey Fellowships may be current University of Kentucky graduate students who are actively engaged in or who have specific proposals for research pertaining to tobacco or may be incoming University of Kentucky graduate students who intend to commit themselves to research pertaining to tobacco in fulfilling their graduate degree
• Individuals who have been awarded Jeffrey Fellowships in the past may be nominated for renewal of the fellowship
• The nominee’s statement must describe in detail the research project to be undertaken and its objectives, and/or a detailed progress report describing research work accomplished
• Nominees must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or above
• Nominees must have a graduate grade point average of 3.2 or above on any previous graduate work

Additional Documents Requested (opt.):
In addition to the documents required for the competitive fellowship nomination packet (listed above under ‘Competitive Fellowships’), nominees are also encouraged to submit material that demonstrates potential in research (publications, abstracts, research reports)

Directors of Graduate Studies should log in to the Graduate School Database under the ‘For DGSs’ webpage to complete fellowship nominations, or follow the link below:

DGS logon page for Graduate School Database

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Presidential Graduate Fellowship
For Currently Enrolled Graduate Students
Nomination Deadline: Monday, February 22, 2010
Amount: $15,000, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance

Graduate programs are invited to nominate candidates for the 2010-2011 Presidential Fellowships.  Fellowships include a stipend of $15,000, a tuition scholarship, and student health insurance. The Presidential Fellowship is a 12-month award, designed for currently-enrolled students.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Eligible students include those currently enrolled in graduate programs; students enrolling for their first term of study in a UK graduate program in the fall semester are not eligible for this fellowship
• Students who are currently being supported or have been previously supported by the Dissertation Year Fellowship are not eligible for this fellowship
• Nominees must have a graduate grade point average of 3.7 or above on any previous graduate work
• Nominees must have achieved the 81st percentile or higher on one portion of the GRE or GMAT
• Awards will be based on academic achievement, significance of research to the nominee’s area of study, and the nominee’s potential as a good representative of the University of Kentucky

Note to Directors of Graduate Studies:  Programs may submit two nominations for the Multi-Year Fellowship.  Programs that submit two nominations must rank their nominees.

Directors of Graduate Studies should log in to the Graduate School Database under the ‘For DGSs’ webpage to complete fellowship nominations, or follow the link below:

DGS logon page for Graduate School Database

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Cralle Foundation/Joan Cralle Day Fellowship
For First Year Graduate Students, 2010-2011
Nomination Deadline: Monday, February 22, 2010
Amount: $15,000, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance (for students in graduate school programs)

A fellowship is available for graduate or professional (law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy) study at the University of Kentucky for an entering student who is a graduate of one of the 20 four-year independent colleges and universities in the Commonwealth affiliated with the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities. The eligible independent institutions are: Alice Lloyd College, Asbury College, Bellarmine University, Berea College, Brescia University, Campbellsville University, Centre College, Georgetown College, Kentucky Christian University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Lindsey Wilson College, Mid-Continent University, Midway College, Pikeville College, Spalding University, St. Catharine College, Thomas More College, Transylvania University, Union College, and University of the Cumberlands.  The one-year fellowship is in the amount of $15,000. It also carries a tuition scholarship and student health insurance for student in graduate school programs. The awards, named to honor Joan Cralle Day, are endowed by a gift from the Cralle Foundation. Cralle Fellowships are 12-month awards.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees must be applying to or enrolling in their first year of study in a graduate (masters or doctoral) or professional program at UK in the 2010 Fall Semester
• Nominees must be seniors (having graduated at the end of the 2009 Fall Semester, or expecting to graduate at the end of the 2010 Spring Semester or a 2010 summer session) at their baccalaureate-granting independent college or university
• Nominees must be nominated by the chief academic officer of the baccalaureate-granting independent institution
• Nominees must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 or above
• The nominee’s statement should describe how they will be able to contribute to the economic and intellectual status of the Commonwealth through their research or professional endeavors
• Preference will be given to candidates graduating from Bellarmine College, Georgetown College, Lindsey Wilson College, or University of the Cumberlands

Additional Documents Required:
In addition to the documents required for the competitive fellowship nomination packet (listed above under ‘Competitive Fellowships’), nominators must include a letter of nomination from the chief academic officer of the nominee’s baccalaureate institution, including the date that all baccalaureate degree requirements are expected to be completed, and, if possible, class rank.

Note to baccalaureate institutions:  Each baccalaureate institution may nominate no more than one graduate student and one professional student each year.

Directors of Graduate Studies should log in to the Graduate School Database under the ‘For DGSs’ webpage to complete fellowship nominations, or follow the link below:

DGS logon page for Graduate School Database

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UK McNair Fellowship
For First Year Graduate Students, 2010-2011
Nomination Deadline: Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Amount: $15,000, plus a tuition scholarship and health insurance

The McNair Program was named in honor of Ronald E. McNair, the African-American astronaut who died in the 1986 explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. First-year UK graduate students from undergraduate universities and colleges who are in the McNair program are eligible to be nominated for a fellowship in the amount of $15,000 with a tuition scholarship and health insurance.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Nominees must be from undergraduate universities and colleges participating in the McNair Scholarship Program
• Nominees must be applying to Graduate School—professional programs not eligible
• Nominees must be enrolling for their first term of study in the program in a 2010 Summer Session or the 2010 Fall Semester; nominees cannot be currently enrolled as graduate students at UK
• Nominees may not have received previous graduate or professional degrees from UK
• Nominees must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 or above
• Nominees must have a graduate grade point average of 3.5 or above on any previous graduate work

Additional Documents Required:
In addition to the documents required for the competitive fellowship nomination packet (listed above under ‘Competitive Fellowships’), nominees are also required to submit evidence of their undergraduate university’s participation in the McNair Fellowship Program.

Directors of Graduate Studies should log in to the Graduate School Database under the ‘For DGSs’ webpage to complete fellowship nominations, or follow the link below:

DGS logon page for Graduate School Database

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Self-Nominating Fellowships
Self-Nominated Fellowships are competitive fellowships for which the students nominate themselves.  The students submit a nomination packet, and the nomination packet is then forwarded to a fellowship committee, who review and judge the fellowship nomination packets and determine a fellowship recipient.  Some of the competitive fellowships have only one fellowship recipient per year, and some have more than one.

Students may nominate themselves by clicking on the link for the online nomination form, listed under each fellowship.  In addition to the fellowship nomination form, the following must be submitted before the deadline for the nomination packet to be considered complete and to be forwarded on to the fellowship committee:

• Two letters of recommendation from references familiar with the student’s academic or career achievements and aspirations
• The student’s curriculum vitae, not to exceed 4 pages
• A statement from the student, not to exceed 2 pages, detailing their academic and career achievements and aspirations, the research they have worked on in their area of study, as well as details discussing how they meet the criteria for and purpose of the specific fellowship for which they are being nominated
• Additional items may be required by specific fellowships—please read the information below for each fellowship to see if anything else is required for the nomination packet

These documents may be attached to the original online nomination form, or may be sent by email (to grad.fellowships@uky.edu) to the Graduate School at a later date.  However, all necessary components of the fellowship packet must be received on or before the due date listed for the fellowship.  Incomplete nomination packets and late documents cannot be forwarded to the fellowship committee after the due date.  The Graduate School will pull GRE/GMAT scores, transcripts, and the QE date (for the Dissertation Year Fellowship) for all fellowships, so these will not need to be included in the nomination packet.

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University of Kentucky Woman’s Club Endowed Fellowship
For Currently Enrolled Graduate Students
Nomination Deadline: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Amount: $2,000

Applications are invited to apply for a $2,000 fellowship offered by the University of Kentucky Woman’s Club, in conjunction with the Graduate School.  These awards are made possible by generous donations from UK Woman’s Club members as well as support from the Research Challenge Trust Fund.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Candidates must be currently enrolled, full-time or part-time Ph.D., Ed.D., D.M.A., or D.S. students
• Candidates must have passed their qualifying examination
• Candidates must be Kentucky residents
• Candidates must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GGPA
• Candidates for professional degree programs (Law, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Medicine) are not eligible
• Preference is given to female candidates age 30 or over
• Preference is given to female candidates who are underrepresented in their field of study
• Selection is based on both academic achievement and financial need
• Student statement should include information about area of concentration within field of study, obstacles overcome, aspirations, personal characteristics, and how a candidate might benefit from this fellowship

University of Kentucky Woman’s Club Fellowship Application Form

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Association of Emeriti Faculty Endowed Fellowships
For Currently Enrolled Graduate Students
Nomination Deadline: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Amount: $1,500

Applications are invited for $1,500 fellowships offered by the University of Kentucky Association of Emeriti Faculty, in conjunction with the Graduate School.  These awards are made possible by generous donations from UK emeriti faculty members as well as support from the Research Challenge Trust Fund. These fellowships express the commitment of emeriti faculty to the preparation of outstanding future college and university teachers.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Candidates must be currently enrolled, full-time, fully admitted Ph.D., Ed.D., D.M.A., or D.S. students
• Candidates must have completed at least two semesters in their current Graduate School academic program
• Candidates must be preparing for careers in college/university teaching
• Student statement should include information about area of concentration within field of study, obstacles overcome, aspirations, personal characteristics, reasons for selecting a career in college teaching, and how a candidate might benefit from this fellowship

Association of Emeriti Faculty Fellowship Application Form

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Charles T Wethington, Jr./W.L. Matthews Jr./Otis A Singletary Fellowships for Graduate or Professional Study
For First Year Graduate Students, 2010-2011
Nomination Deadline: Monday, February 8, 2010

Note:  Only one nomination packet set is required to apply for all three fellowships.  The selection committee will decide the award recipients for each fellowship from the same pool of applicants.

Charles T. Wethington Jr. Fellowship
In honor of Charles T. Wethington Jr., the president of the University of Kentucky from 1989 to 2001, the University will annually provide funding for fellowships up to $20,000 to be awarded to UK graduating seniors who plan to continue their post-baccalaureate education in one of the University's graduate or professional programs. The fellowships will be awarded for a first year of graduate or professional study at UK and are not renewable for subsequent years. Preference will be given to Kentucky residents and first-generation college students.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Candidates must be UK seniors (having graduated at the end of the 2009 Fall Semester, or expecting to graduate at the end of the 2010 Spring Semester or the 2010 Second Summer Session)
• Candidates may not have been previously enrolled in a graduate or professional program
• Candidates must meet the academic and other criteria required for admission by the program in which they plan to enroll
• Candidates should have demonstrated high academic achievement in an undergraduate program of study at the University of Kentucky
• Candidates should provide evidence of participation and leadership roles in university and community life during their undergraduate program of study
• Preference will be given to residents of Kentucky
• Preference will be given to first-generation college students

W.L. Matthews Jr. Fellowship
The Board of Directors of the University of Kentucky Athletics Association has established quasi-endowment funds in memory of W.L. Matthews Jr.  The funds will provide annually for $12,000 fellowships to be awarded to UK graduating seniors who plan to continue their post-baccalaureate education in one of the University’s graduate or professional programs. The fellowships will be awarded for a first year of graduate or professional study at UK and are not renewable for subsequent years. 

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Candidates must be UK seniors (having graduated at the end of the 2009 Fall Semester, or expecting to graduate at the end of the 2010 Spring Semester or the 2010 second Summer Session)
• Candidates may not have been previously enrolled in a graduate or professional program
• Candidates must meet the academic and other criteria required for admission by the program in which they plan to enroll
• Candidates should have demonstrated high academic achievement in an undergraduate program of study at the University of Kentucky
• Candidates should provide evidence of participation and leadership roles in university and community life during their undergraduate program of study

Otis A. Singletary Fellowship
The Board of Directors of the University of Kentucky Athletics Association has established quasi-endowment funds in honor of Otis A. Singletary. The funds will provide annually for $12,000 fellowships to be awarded to UK graduating seniors who plan to continue their post-baccalaureate education in one of the University’s graduate or professional programs. The fellowships will be awarded for a first year of graduate or professional study at UK and are not renewable for subsequent years.  Recipients enrolled in graduate (not professional) programs will also be eligible for a tuition scholarship and health insurance.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Candidates must be UK seniors (having graduated at the end of the 2009 Fall Semester, or expecting to graduate at the end of the 2010 Spring Semester or the 2010 second Summer Session)
• Candidates may not have been previously enrolled in a graduate or professional program
• Candidates must meet the academic and other criteria required for admission by the program in which they plan to enroll
• Candidates should have demonstrated high academic achievement in an undergraduate program of study at the University of Kentucky
• Candidates should provide evidence of participation and leadership roles in university and community life during their undergraduate program of study

Wethington/Matthews/Singletary Fellowship Application Form

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Fellowships that carry a tuition scholarship are subject to current tuition policies.

Send questions to Catherine Brown at grad.fellowships@uky.edu or 257-3261.

Direct questions to grad.webmaster@email.uky.edu
Last updated November 17, 2009