biology phd fellowships

Biological Sciences

• Mellon College of Science

The Department of Biological Sciences actively encourages its graduate students to apply for external fellowships. Sources of such funding have included the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NIH), the Merck Foundation, the American Heart Association, and the U.S. Air Force; current opportunities being pursued include the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and the Hertz Foundation.

Students can expect guidance from their research mentors and the Coordinator of Graduate Programs in seeking funding opportunities, organizing and writing proposals, and managing successful awards.

• American Heart Association To help students initiate careers in cardiovascular or stroke research by providing research assistance and training
• DoD: National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship To increasing the number and quality of our nation's scientists and engineers. Toward that end, the DoD annually supports approximately 8,000 graduate students in fields important to national defense needs
• Department of Homeland Security To ensure a diverse and highly talented science and technology community to achieve the DHS mission and objectives
• Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship The Hertz Foundation identifies the rare young scientists and engineers with the potential to change the world for the better and supports their research endeavors from an early stage.
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
• NASA (GSRP Program) To cultivate research ties to the academic community; fellowships for graduate study leading to masters or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering related to NASA research and development
• NIH (NRSA program) To help ensure that highly trained scientists will be available in adequate numbers and in appropriate research areas to carry out the Nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research agenda.
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) To ensure the vitality of the scientific and technological workforce in the United States and to reinforce its diversity; graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees and is intended for students who are at the early stages of their graduate study
• The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
• Sigma Xi (Grants-in-Aid of Research) The program promotes scientific excellence and achievement through hands-on learning

Searchable database

• http://scholarships.fatomei.com/
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Molecular and Cell Biology

Fellowships

MCB students are competitive for a variety of extramural fellowships through federal or private agencies as well as University fellowships. Many students are awarded with National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowships, Berkeley Fellowships, and fellowships from other agencies such as the DOD, DOE, and American Heart Associatiation.

Students are encouraged to seek out fellowships in support of their graduate research. The Graduate Division maintain a list of current fellowship opportunities and general advice in their Fellowship Guide available here . Please find a list of the most common fellowships our students apply for below:

Other good resources for fellowships to check are the campus' Sponsored Projects Office (SPO) http://www.spo.berkeley.edu/  and Science Magazine's GrantsNet http://www.grantsnet.org .

Scholarships, Grants & Fellowships

For biology students, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, there are numerous grants, fellowships or scholarships available to help fund education and research. Scholarships are given to the student to help financially support their secondary education. They can be for general academic merit – or target to specific groups, like prospective teachers or science majors. Grants are awards given to students to be used for a specific research project. Grants can range from $100 to upwards of $100,000. And lastly, fellowships are financial awards given to promising graduate students that cover full or partial tuition and living expenses.

The following list is only a small sample of different possibilities and should be used as a starting point for further exploration. Students can also check with the Biology Department Office for more resources and support.

American Society For Microbiology

Robert D. Watkins Graduate Research Fellowship

This is a three-year award for graduate-level students from historically excluded and underrepresented groups to conduct research in microbiology. The fellowship aims to encourage students to continue and complete their research projects in the microbiological sciences. There are also summer programs available for undergraduate students pursuing similar research goals. For more information, please visit the ASM website.

Association of Public Health Laboratories

Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory Fellowship Program

This is a two-year program, sponsored by APHL and the CDC, for doctoral-level research in infectious diseases. Special attention is paid to development and evaluation of diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, vector control, and emerging pathogens. There is also a one-year program for researchers that have completed a bachelor or master’s level degree in biology or related discipline. For a complete list of requirements and application information, visit the Program’s website .

Association of Women in Science – Educational Foundation

AWIS Undergraduate College Scholarship

This scholarship is given to female high school seniors who plan to study science in college and plan a career in research or teaching. Smaller awards, including Citations of Merit and Recognition Awards may be given. To learn more about Evaluation Criteria and Timeline, please visit the AWIS webpage.

AWIS Pre-Doctoral Awards

These awards are given to female students enrolled in science program leading to a Ph.D., including graduate biology work and graduate plant biology. There is also a smaller Citation of Merit to qualified students. Each award is describe in full with deadline on the AWIS site. 

Environmental Protection Agency – STAR Programs

EPA-Science to Achieve Results Research Grant

This is a research grant funded by the Environmental Protection Agency for graduate-level environmental research studies. According to the EPA, these grants currently focus on drinking water, water quality, ecosystem assessment and repair, pollution prevention, children’s health and global change. Visit the STAR program website to learn more about each particular request for application.

EPA – Science to Achieve Results Graduate Fellowship

The STAR program also offers master’s and doctoral level students financial support for environmentally related fields of study. Master’s students may receive funding for up to two years and doctoral students may receive funding for up to three years. For more information and the application, visit the STAR Fellowship website .

National Geographic – Committee for Research and Exploration

Graduate Research Grant

This award from National Geographic is for projects that have a geographical dimension as well as relevance to other scientific fields, like biology. The 1-year grant requires research to not be entirely laboratory work or archival research. To learn more for obtain an application form, visit the grant’s website .

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grants

Keystone Initiative Grants

This award is given to researchers, undergraduate or graduate, who aim to sustain, restore and enhance the Nation’s fish, wildlife and plants, and the habitats on which they depend. There is a minimum of 1:1 non-federal match, which requires the recipient to raise equal amounts of money for their research in non-federal funds. In order to learn more, please visit the Foundation’s website .

Special Grants Programs

Along with the Keystone Initiative Grants, the Foundation also awards Special Grant Programs that have specific guidelines and timelines. Many of these special programs focus on the control of invasive species, minimal-impact energy sources, and developing future conservation leaders. The entire list of Grants can be found on the Program Website .

National Science Foundation

Graduate Research Fellowship Program

This program is intended for students in their early stages of the Graduate level work toward a research-based master or doctoral degree. The fellowships provide three years of financial support with the aim of building and reinforcing the diversity of the human resource base of science and technology. For more information, visit the Program website .

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring

This award is given to undergraduate or graduate students who have made outstanding mentoring efforts to enhance the participation of underrepresented groups in science. More information can be found on the Program website.

UNCF-Merck Science Initiative

Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Award

These awards are intended to help African American undergraduate students who are interested in science to further their science education and potentially pursue science careers by providing tuition support and research opportunities. Each Fellow will be mentored by a Merck scientist and will receive two Summer Research Internships with stipends, following the Junior year and the year after graduation either at Rahway NJ, West Point PA or Boston MA. Click on the following link for more information and application forms: Undergraduate Research Scholarship

Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowship

This award will help African American graduate students complete coursework, conduct research, and prepare the dissertation required for a doctoral degree in the biomedically relevant life or physical sciences. The stipend is expected to cover 12-24 months with additional funds to support the research. Click on the following link for additional information and application forms: Graduate Dissertation Fellowships . 

Seeding Postdoctoral Innovators in Research and Education Program

Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

This program is a three-year post-doctoral fellowship that allows for 2 years of research at UNC-Chapel Hill and 1 year of teaching in a minority-serving institution in North Carolina. The goal of SPIRE is to invest in tomorrow’s scholars and educators by allowing them to combine research with education. For more information, visit the SPIRE website .

Sigma Xi – GIAR Program

Grant-in-Aid of Research

This grant, for undergraduate or graduate students, is given for research into all areas of science and engineering. Larger grants are also given for astronomy or vision-related research. Membership in Sigma Xi is not required, but 75% of awards are given to student members or mentees of members. For more information, including application deadlines, visit the Sigma Xi GIAR Program webpage .

The Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology 

Grants-in-Aid of Research

This grant is for graduate students in the field of integrative and comparative biology who are active members of the SICB. For more information and to learn about the application process, visit the SICB website .

Fellowship for Graduate Student Travel

This award funds a student’s travel to distant research sites with the goal of learning specialized techniques or using unique resources. Students must be active members of SICB and never receive the Grants-in-Aid of research prize. For more information, visit their webpage.

Secondary Menu

Fellowship and jobs information, fellowships.

• Biology post-docs : Listing of post-doc fellowships separated by country and eligibility. Not an exhaustive list, but very comprehensive.
• The Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (NRSA -F32) is due in April, August, and December. Eligibility includes postdocs with less than two years of postdoctoral experience, with decreasing duration of funding if you have been a postdoc for more than one year at the time the award is made. Fellowship open to US citizens or permanent residents only
• Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) : Due in Feb, June, and October. At least one year of postdoc funding (up to 2) + up to 3 years of support in an independent PI position. Eligibility includes fewer than 4 years of postdoctoral experience (including for resubmissions, so plan to make a first submission early). Open to citizens and non-citizens alike.
• The  Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)  provides postdoctoral funding for select areas of Biology. These areas are:  (1) Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology, (2) Integrative Research Investigating the Rules of Life Governing Interactions Between Genomes, Environment and Phenotypes, and (3) Plant Genome Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (subject to frequent change, check the NSF website for the most up-to-date information) . Open to citizens and permanent residents only. 

Private Foundations:

• The  Damon Runyon Foundation encourages all theoretical and experimental research relevant to the study of cancer and the search for cancer causes, mechanisms, therapies and prevention.  Open to citizens and non-citizens alike.
• The Helen Hay Whitney supports early postdoctoral research training in all basic biomedical sciences. You are eligible up to one year after starting your postdoc. Open to citizens and non-citizens alike.
• The Life Science Research Foundation supports postdoctoral researchers engaged in high-quality, creative science in all areas of basic life sciences. Postdocs are eligible up to 5 years after Ph.D.. Open to citizens and non-citizens alike. 
• The American Cancer Society   funds researchers to start training for an independent career in cancer research (including basic, preclinical, clinical, cancer control, psychosocial, behavioral, epidemiology, health services and health policy research). Must be within within 3 years of receiving a doctoral degree may apply for initial funding. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. 
• The Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Funds  provides funding for Biomedical research. Applicants must be have no more than one year of postdoctoral research experience at the time of the deadline for submitting applications (February 1). PhD. degree must not have been conferred more than 18 months prior to the deadline date). Open to citizens and non-citizens alike. 
• HHMI's  Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program   provides 4 years of postdoc + 4 years of PI funding. The goal of the Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program is to recruit and retain individuals from gender, racial, ethnic, and other groups underrepresented in the life sciences, including those individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Open to citizens and non-citizens alike.
• The Human Frontier Science Program  fellowship supports proposals for frontier, potentially transformative research in the life sciences. Applications for high-risk projects are particularly encouraged.   The projects should be interdisciplinary in nature and should challenge existing paradigms by using novel approaches and techniques. Scientifically, they should address an important problem or a barrier to progress in the field. Open to citizens and non-citizens alike.

Duke Internal Awards

• Regeneration Next Postdoctoral Fellowships : Two years of postdoc funding (salary+benefits). Regenerative biology or medicine component to research in any department. Open to citizens and non-citizens alike.
• Duke Postdoc Professional Development Award : Up to $1000 for postdocs professional development needs, by providing reimbursement for activities that directly enhance the individual's professional growth. Such activities include, but are not limited to, conference travel, workshop attendance, and purchase of lab materials (excluding computers). Open to citizens and non-citizens alike. 

Women in Science Fellowships

• Duke's Foerster-Bernstein Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program for Women in STEM : one year postdoc funding for women in STEM who work in the labs of women PIs. Open to citizens and non-citizens alike.
• The L'Oreal USA for Women in Science Fellowship funds five exceptional female scientists looking to advance their research and serve as role models for the next generation of girls in STEM.Candidates must have completed their PhD and have started in their postdoctoral research position by the application deadline. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply.

Job Openings in Biology

• EcoLog : Ecology listserv which often presents job openings and postdoctoral opportunities 
• EvolDir : Evolutionary Biology listserv with lists of job openings and postdoctoral opportunities in Evolutionary Biology
• EcoEvoJobs : Privately maintained complete listing of all job openings in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in a given academic year, with frequent updates and comments from users.
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SIGF: Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship

Fellowships & Funding

The Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship (SIGF) Program is a competitive, university-wide program that awards three-year fellowships to outstanding doctoral students engaged in interdisciplinary research. Since 2008, 396 students have received a SIGF. The SIGF supports Stanford doctoral students in undertaking novel, cutting-edge research and pursuing questions that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. Examples include:

• Interdisciplinary initiatives in bio-x, biomedical research and biosciences; international studies; creativity and the arts; K-12 education; and environment, energy, and sustainability
• Multidisciplinary inquiry within and between the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences
• Other emerging areas of interdisciplinary study.

Browse the list of 2023 SIGF Fellows

Fellowship Terms

• Annual stipend paid over 4 quarters for three years. The 2024-25 stipend for VPGE-administered fellowships is set at $54,800 annually, $13,700 per quarter.
• In Year 3, a fund of $3000 ($750/quarter) will facilitate intellectual and professional development in interdisciplinary research.
• Fellows with TGR enrollment before Year 3 will also receive the additional stipend of $750 per quarter to facilitate intellectual and professional development in interdisciplinary research.
• In Years 1 and 2, the SIGF pays tuition for 8 - 10 units for Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, plus Summer tuition for 3 units.
• In Year 3, the SIGF pays TGR tuition for four quarters.
• SIGF Fellows can reserve (i.e., defer or bank) up to a maximum of two quarters of support during the lifetime of their SIGF provided that all SIGF support is used within the first six years of graduate study, which includes summer quarter of the sixth year.

Application

The Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE) and the Graduate Fellowships Faculty Advisory Committee (GFFAC) are pleased to announce the 16th competition to award Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowships for autumn quarter 2024-25.

Application Opens : January 5, 2024

Application Deadline : February 14, 2024

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all materials are submitted before the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Award Notifications : May 20, 2024

SIGF Acceptance Deadline : May 28, 2024

Eligibility

Stanford graduate students must fulfill the following criteria to be eligible to apply for the SIGF:

• Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral degree program in any of Stanford’s seven schools.
• If an applicant is initially admitted to a non-terminal master's degree program (please consult department if unsure) in the same department as their doctoral program, the time spent in the master's program counts towards the first three years of graduate study. In this case, applicants must be within their first three years of graduate study (master's plus doctoral quarters) and be enrolled in an open/active doctoral program at the time of application.
• If an applicant has a NSF, NDSEG, or other equivalent fellowship that provides tenure on an annual basis, all that fellowship’s support must be exhausted prior to autumn quarter 2024-25 (i.e., all available funds from the fellowship have been used and funds are not being forfeited).

Ideally, applicants will be in the second or third year, and have demonstrated academic excellence and evidence of the potential for innovative research in an interdisciplinary area. Ability to link intellectual innovation with solving societal problems, an interest in communicating research to a broader audience, and a capacity for future leadership will also be considered positive qualifications.

Nominations Process:

Applications are submitted online. Applicants are required to enter requested information, upload several documents and request two reference letters. Applicants are urged to carefully read instructions and eligibility requirements before beginning the application, paying special attention to field descriptions. Please be sure that you are eligible and intend to apply for the SIGF before requesting reference letters from faculty members. References will be requested online. Once you enter the faculty member’s information and request the reference, they will receive a link to upload their reference letter, which will then be attached to your application.

The application provides the ability to return to the application for further changes before submitting. You can complete your application at one time and submit, or save it for editing and submitting later. Reference letters can be requested prior to submission of your online portion.

Once an application is submitted, no further changes are possible.

Required Documents

• The research statement should be titled and may not exceed two pages of text . References or full-page figures are not included as part of the two pages. Pages should be single-spaced with one-inch margins and in readable font size. The selection committee includes scholars from a wide range of disciplines so please avoid the use of jargon. Your name should be on each page.
• What is your broader scholarly and research agenda?
• What makes it interdisciplinary?
• Which disciplines are you building upon and how are you integrating them?
• What questions are the focus of your research project?
• What is the research plan?
• What is your anticipated contribution and why does it matter? Who will it benefit?
• As you look ahead to your career trajectory, how will your work be different, important, and innovative?
• Abstract (100 words)
• Only two letters will be read by the committee.
• Curriculum vitae
• Stanford Unofficial Transcript
• Graduate transcripts (Unofficial or a non-certified official transcript will be accepted)

Application Review Process

Students may submit one application, choosing one of three categories for faculty review. VPGE will reposition applications, if needed, to the area with the deepest faculty expertise for review.

• Bio-X, Biomedical Research, and Biosciences
• Environment, Energy, and Sustainability
• General (multidisciplinary inquiry within and between the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences; international studies; creativity and the arts; K-12 education; other emerging areas of interdisciplinary study)

An application submitted to the  Bio-X, Biomedical Research, and Biosciences area is considered for two fellowship programs - the Bio-X Bowes Fellowships and SIGFs affiliated with Bio-X (Bio-X SIGF), as determined by the applicant's eligibility for each competition.  The SIGF eligibility rules, fellowship policies and terms described above apply to all Bio-X SIGFs, but applicants should refer to information on the Bio-X website for instructions about application materials, submission of the application and selection criteria.

Each of the categories will forward the most competitive applications to VPGE for a university-wide review by the Graduate Fellowships Faculty Advisory Committee. All applicants will be notified via email mid-May 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where can I get help with my research statement?

A. The Hume Center for Writing and Speaking offers Graduate Workshops.  Read more here . Students in the School of Engineering can request a consultation from the Technical Communication Program. Read more here . Grant Writing Academy. Read more here .

Q. What date is the cut-off matriculation date as a graduate student to be eligible for a 2024 SIGF?

A. The practice that's established is for students to be no further along than at the start of their fourth year when the 2024 SIGF begins in autumn 2024-25. Students who matriculated as graduate students prior to September 2021 are ineligible to apply. If you are concerned about your eligibility, please write to [email protected] .

Q. If I am an M.D. student doing interdisciplinary research for a master's degree am I eligible for a SIGF?

A. No. All applicants must be pursuing a dissertation-based doctoral degree.

Q. I am pursuing a joint degree, a JD-PHD. Do JD years count as years of graduate study for eligibility purposes?

A. Yes, and no.

Those seeking two degrees, for example, a JD and a PhD, are subject to the SIGF eligibility rule of currently being in the first three years of graduate study.

However, for an applicant pursuing a cohort-based professional degree along with the PHD, one year need not be counted as one of the first three years of graduate study when determining eligibility for the SIGF, IF during that year, the applicant took only professional degree units for the professional degree. This often is the case for those in the first year of law school. This caveat will apply to those seeking these types of degrees: MD and PHD, MBA-PhD, and MOM MSM and PhD.

Regardless, students should enter the matriculation date for the graduate degree they started first. JD first, PHD first and both at the same time are all possibilities for those seeking a joint degree.

Q. If I applied last year, may I apply again?

A. There is no restriction against applying multiple times, if eligible.

Q. If I have a Stanford Graduate Fellowship, can I apply for a Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship?

A. For 2024, students with two or fewer quarters of SGF for 2024-25 can apply, if otherwise eligible.

Contact the VPGE office by email [email protected] .

Related Events

The 2024 SIGF Application is now closed.

Review the information session slides.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology

The PhD in Biology is a research degree requiring graduate-level coursework, completion of a dissertation, and two semesters of participation in teaching (usually as a teaching fellow in laboratory or discussion sections of lecture courses led by Biology faculty). For most students, obtaining this degree typically involves five or more years of full-time study.

A summary of Biology PhD student expectations by year can be found here . Full details can be found in the Graduate Program Guide .

The Biology Department guarantees support for five years for all PhD students, contingent on satisfactory performance in the program.

How to Apply    Frequently Asked Questions

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate academic mastery in one of three areas of Biology: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior & Marine Biology; Neurobiology; or Cellular & Molecular Biology.

2. Attain research expertise , including grant writing experience, and complete original research that advances a specific field of study within one of three broad subject areas represented in the department: Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology; Neurobiology; or Cellular & Molecular Biology.

3. Attain teaching experience and expertise in one of three broad areas of Biology: Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology; Neurobiology; or Cellular & Molecular Biology.

4. Attain the skills and qualifications needed for employment in an academic, government, or private sector position related to the life sciences.

Coursework Requirements

Students must complete 64 credits with a minimum grade point average of 3.0; at least 32 of these credits must be accrued from lecture, laboratory, or seminar courses. Students with prior graduate work may be able to transfer course credits.  See the  Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) Transfer of Credits policy  for more details. 

• 2 semesters of Progress in Research Seminars (2 credits each):

Cell & Molecular Biology:  BI 583 & BI 584 (CM section)

Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology:  BI 579 & BI 580

Neurobiology:   BI 583 & BI 584 (NEURO section)

• 1 semester grant-writing course (2 credits):

Cell & Molecular Biology:  BI 581

Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology: BI 671

Neurobiology: BI 581

• 1 semester pedagogy course (1 credit): All Biology PhD students take  BI 697
• 1 quantitative course (3–4 credits): from a list of recommended courses .
• Additional courses vary by specific track below:

Cell & Molecular Biology

1. GRS BI 791/GRS BI 792 Graduate Rotation Credits (2 credits each/4 credits total)

2. GRS BI 753 Advanced Molecular Biology  (4 credits)

3. GRS MB 721 Graduate Biochemistry  (4 credits)

4. GRS BI 735 Advanced Cell Biology  (4 credits)

5. Two electives (8 credits, 500-level and above), see the Graduate Program Guide for recommendations

6. Research credits  (remaining credits)

Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology

1. Six electives  (24 credits, 500-level and above), see the Graduate Program Guide for recommendations

2. Research credits  (remaining credits)

Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology PhD candidate coursework is highly variable. Students, in consultation with advisors, develop a plan of coursework and research. Students are required to take a minimum of 32 credits of coursework. The remainder of the credits should be research.

Neurobiology

2. GRS BI 755 Cellular and Systems Neuroscience  (4 credits)

3. GRS BI 741 Neural Systems: Functional Circuit Analysis  (4 credits)

4. Four electives  (16 credits, 500-level and above), see the Graduate Program Guide for recommendations

5. Research credits  (remaining credits)

Teaching Requirement

The department requires a minimum of two semesters of teaching as part of the Doctor of Philosophy program. During the first semester of teaching, students are required to enroll in our first-year seminar course, GRS BI 697 A Bridge to Knowledge . The course provides guidance and training on pedagogy and other aspects of graduate school.

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination must be completed no later than six semesters after matriculation. In most graduate curricula in the department, this consists of a research proposal—often in the form of a grant application—which the student submits to their committee and subsequently defends in an oral presentation. In the  Cell & Molecular Biology and Ecology, Behavior, Evolution & Marine Biology curricula , this is preceded by a comprehensive written examination testing the student’s general background from coursework.

Dissertation & Final Oral Examination

Candidates shall demonstrate their abilities for independent study in a dissertation representing original research or creative scholarship. A prospectus for the dissertation must be completed and approved by the readers, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the Biology Department Chair. Candidates must undergo a final oral examination in which they defend their dissertation as a valuable contribution to knowledge in their field and demonstrate a mastery of their field of specialization in relation to their dissertation. All portions of the dissertation and final oral examination must be completed as outlined in the  GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree . The results of the dissertation must be presented at a department colloquium.

Graduation Timeline

Forms and additional information about PhD graduation can be found on the GRS website .

9 – 12 months before proposed graduation date

• Dissertation Prospectus & approval form due to Graduate Program Specialist for departmental review and submission to GRS

Semester prior to your intended graduation cycle

• Intent to Graduate Form completed online

About 2 months before dissertation defense

• Meet with Graduate Program Specialist, Director of Graduate Studies, and Faculty Advisor to review requirements for defense
• Arrange for Special Service Appointments if committee members are not BU faculty
• Send first draft of dissertation to readers

Once defense date is confirmed with committee

• Reserve room(s) for public seminar and defense

At least three weeks prior to dissertation defense

• Schedule of Final Oral Exam with Abstract Approval due to GRS
• Properly formatted draft of dissertation submitted as PDF to [email protected]

At least two weeks prior to dissertation defense

• Send dissertation to all committee members

At least one week prior to dissertation defense

• Send program information to Graduate Program Specialist

See the Graduate Program Guide for final dates to submit dissertation to ETD

• Submit final dissertation to ETD (online submission)
• Complete electronic signature page and forward confirmation to Graduate Program Specialist along with a copy of your submitted dissertation

MS Degree (En Route to PhD)

Option one: A PhD student who has advanced to candidacy (as demonstrated by passing the PhD qualifying exam), and has completed 32 credits of graduate-level coursework (not including research) may apply to the Graduate School for an MS degree in Biology. This must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies within the Biology Department. The student’s major professor will receive notification of this application process.

Option two: A PhD student who has taken, but has not advanced to candidacy based on the PhD qualifying examination, may still receive an MS degree. This student may receive a Coursework MS degree provided they have completed 32 credits of coursework (not including research credits). Alternatively, this student may receive a Scholarly Paper or Research Thesis MS degree if the written portion of the qualifying examination is adapted to ensure it is of sufficiently high quality for a MS degree, and approved by a majority of the qualifying exam committee and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Interdisciplinary Study Options

Biology PhD students have the option to participate in the Boston University Graduate Program in Urban Biogeoscience and Environmental Health (BU URBAN), the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program Understanding the Brain: Neurophotonics (NSF NRT UtB: Neurophotonics), and the Biogeoscience Advanced Graduate Certificate Program . These programs require separate applications in addition to the standard Biology PhD application; those interested in BU URBAN are encouraged pre-apply .

Time Limits

Officially, the PhD must be completed within seven years after the first registration for doctoral study. PhD degrees are conferred in either May, August, or January, as specified on the GRS website . In addition, the PhD candidacy expires after the fifth anniversary of passing the Qualifying Examination. Petitions to extend this deadline are possible at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies, the Department Chair, and the Dean of the Graduate School, and can be obtained from the Office of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

The Biology Department guarantees support for five years for all PhD students, contingent on satisfactory performance in the program. PhD students are encouraged to apply for fellowships and grants at funding agencies. All domestic students should apply for NSF Graduate Research Fellowships in the Fall semester of their first or second year. 

Travel Grants may be available to assist students in their travel to professional scientific meetings; students presenting papers or posters on their research will receive first consideration.

Common Types of Funding:

Dean’s Fellowships: These are non-service fellowships allocated to first-year PhD students that do not have immediate teaching requirements.

Teaching Fellowships: These provide a stipend plus full tuition and fees for up to four full courses per semester plus a 2-credit teaching course. Teaching responsibilities usually require approximately 20 hours per week. Full or partial awards may be given.

Doctoral Research Fellowships: These awards are given to students who assist individual faculty with specific areas of research. These Research Fellowships provide a stipend and full tuition. The supervising faculty member determines the specific duties of the Research Fellow.

In addition to the above funding sources, several competitive Department awards and fellowships are available to graduate students in the Department of Biology.

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Fellowships and Awards

Current students should review the Harvard University Funding Portal to search and view available funding opportunities.

Another resource for students is the publication Scholarly Pursuits: A Practical Guide to Academe , which offers advice on all aspects of professional development in preparation for an academic career and for enhancing PhD career opportunities more generally. It also includes samples of winning fellowship proposals, as well as CVs and cover letters for job applications. This publication is available online .

The Fellowship Funding for BPH Students Guide has a list of frequently applied to fellowships along with current due dates and Harvard Chan Grant Application guidelines to help students with policies and practices at the school.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for support from extramural agencies such as the National Science Foundation, Ford Pre-Doctoral Fellowship for Minorities, and Howard Hughes Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in Biological Sciences all for U.S. citizens or permanent residents . Funds to support international applicants are very limited. International applicants are urged to seek financial support from their national governments and fellowship agencies.

F31 Resources

NIH has recently posted F31 sample applications on their website: F31 Sample 1

Resources and Programs for NIH Grant Applicants

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Grants

Harvard Griffin GSAS Graduate Student Council Conference and Summer Research Grants The Graduate Student Council offers grants for conference attendance and summer research on a competitive basis to Harvard Griffin GSAS students who are enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program.

Fundación México en Harvard, A.C.

Other Harvard resources:

Harvard Funding Portal:  https://harvard.communityforce.com/Funds/Search.aspx

Harvard University Pivot : https://pivot.proquest.com/

HSPH Office of Research and Development: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/research-strategy-and-development/

HSPH Student Funding Finder: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/student-funding-finder/

Harvard Graduate Student Council: https://gsc.fas.harvard.edu/student-groups

Marianne Wessling-Resnick  Student Service Award This award is given in memory of  Professor Marianne Wessling-Resnick , devoted mentor, colleague, and former director of the PhD Program in the Biological Sciences in Public Health (BPH) at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Presented annually in July to a current student or student team who has shown extraordinary commitment to the improvement of the program and experience of fellow students at Harvard. The award recipient(s) will also be recognized at the Harvard-Chan Convocation Ceremony in their year of graduation.

Edgar Haber Award The Edgar Haber Award for outstanding achievement in the biological sciences is presented annually to one graduating Ph.D. or S.D. student in the Division of Biological Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.  The award is given in recognition of outstanding, original and creative dissertation work that makes a fundamental contribution to our understanding of a biological problem of importance in public health.  Graduating students may be nominated by their dissertation adviser. The award is in honor of Edgar Haber, Blout Professor of Biological Sciences and former director of the Division of Biological Sciences Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and of the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease.

The Albert Schweitzer Award The Albert Schweitzer Award is given each year at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to one graduating student whose past work and activities during their academic program have been marked by a “reverence for life” and who has sought, as expressed by Schweitzer, to “make my life an argument.”

Herchel Smith Fellowship Graduate student support funds have been made available to HILS – member programs from a PhD fellowship initiative, the Herchel Smith Graduate Fellowship Program. Derived from the Herchel Smith Endowment fund, these resources provide Harvard University and the University of Cambridge with new funds to promote and underwrite scientific inquiry by PhD students at the two universities. The Herchel Smith Graduate Fellowship Program provides ‘steady state’ support for 14 Harvard PhD students (7 new fellowships per year). These premier fellowships provide two years of full tuition and fees and a generous stipend at the NSF level.

Merit Research Awards The Harvard Merit Research Awards are available to outstanding Harvard Griffin GSAS students in all fields, including Harvard Griffin GSAS departments in the natural sciences. These fellowships are normally to be held in the fourth or fifth year and are for the purpose of allowing the students to devote a greater portion of their time to research, fieldwork, and writing. Students must have passed Generals and have an approved dissertation prospectus at the time of nomination.

Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award The Weintraub Award, managed by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, seeks to recognize exceptional students who have made outstanding achievements during their graduate studies in the biological sciences. Nominated students should be advanced students nearing the completion of their studies (G3-G6’s).

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Phd program.

Graduate students in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington receive a commitment from the entire department to support their education and research.  In addition to providing five years of assistantships, we support our many of our students through endowed departmental grants for research and travel.  Our students make excellent use of the many opportunities available to them, as evidenced by the extraordinary number of fellowships and awards received, the successful publication of high impact papers, and their regular contributions at national and international meetings.  Our students receive additional training by participating in departmental governance, curriculum development, faculty recruitment and other activities. Together these factors combine to promote an unusual degree of professionalism and community spirit.

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By joining the Biology Department at the University of Washington, you will become a part of a world-class research institution.  Here, graduate students are treated as colleagues by a committed faculty who work to mentor students, to provide opportunities to develop research interests, to network both on and off campus, and to publish and present their own research.

You will find a collaborative environment at the University of Washington, with faculty engaging in research with the lab next door, researchers across campus, and teams halfway across the world.  Our graduate students are encouraged to collaborate similarly, seeking additional mentors and colleagues throughout the world who compliment their research interests.

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Ph.d. biology.

Our PhD program accepts students possessing Bachelors or Masters degrees who are planning a career in science. The purpose of our PhD program is to prepare highly qualified scientists who have excellent up-to-date training in the fields of biology or bioinformatics, who are actively involved in scientific research, are capable of making significant contributions to their scientific field, possess all the necessary skills for effective oral and written communication with colleagues, and can successfully compete in the job market for postdoctoral and research scientist level positions in academia and science-related industries.

We currently have approximately 100 PhD students in the Biology PhD program of the School of Biological Sciences. Of recent PhD graduates, 70% are currently employed as postdoctoral researchers in academia, 9% as government scientists , 9% as industry scientists , 4% as instructors , and 9% are enrolled in further professional training . The average number of journal publications is 3.9 per student and the average number of presentations at conferences around the world is 4.3 per student .

Areas of concentration:

• Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior   including population and evolutionary ecology; community ecology; aquatic chemical ecology; ecological genomics; sensory ecology; evolution of development, behavior, and sociality; biological oceanography; environmental microbiology; theoretical ecology.
• Molecular and Cell Biology   including eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell biology; molecular physiology; molecular biophysics and structural biology; animal, plant, and microbial molecular genetics; human genomics; molecular evolution.

Quick Facts

• Stipend and tuition waiver offered.
• Fellowships available.
• Duration of program depends on research progress. Ph.D. candidates typically defend their thesis at the end of the 5th or during the 6th year.
• 18 credit hours of coursework.

General Inquiries

• Chung Kim Academic Program Coordinator Email  | 404.385.4240 | EBB 2009

Ph.D. Program Overview:

• Stipend: $33,500 per year
• Year 1 Focus:  Coursework / Lab Rotations / Teach
• Year 2 Focus:  Coursework / Thesis Research / Qualifying Exams
• Year 3 Focus:  Thesis Research
• Year 4 Focus:  Thesis Research
• Year 5 Focus:  Thesis Research, Writing and Defense

The PhD in Biology is a research-based degree involving deep immersion in a topic within biology with mentoring from an advisor and thesis committee with expertise in the field of study. Coursework is typically completed within the first 2 years (18 credit hours). Students who have previously earned an M.S. degree or taken graduate courses elsewhere can negotiate up to 9 transfer credit hours upon entering our program. Selection of a thesis advisor is made in discussion with our faculty and/or via lab rotations during the first year, and the composition of the thesis committee is established by the student by the end of the first year.

PhD students in the School of Biological Sciences are each supported by a stipend and do not pay tuition, only modest   fees   each semester. Stipend support comes from teaching or research assistantships which complement research training towards the PhD. Whether PhD stipends are earned from research or teaching assistantships after the first year is decided in consultation with a student's thesis advisor and the graduate committee. Our base PhD stipend is $33,500. Several fellowships are available which can supplement the PhD stipend.

Further Funding

Please take some time to review our   funding opportunities and fellowships .

Choosing between the Masters and Ph.D. Program

Our graduate program is primarily focused on the PhD which prepares students for careers in scientific research and employment in academia, industry, or government. We encourage potential applicants to the PhD program to directly contact individual   faculty   members whose research may appeal to them to discuss research interests and future opportunities. Students who are not yet sure of their interest in scientific research or are interested in other kinds of professional development should consider the M.S. degree in   Biology   or  Bioinformatics . Admission decisions are made by our graduate committee (composed of Biology faculty) in consultation with all of the faculty in the School of Biological Sciences.

Georgia Tech provides application fee waivers to advance diversity, recognize outstanding undergraduate achievement, and engage prospective students in recruitment events where Georgia Tech is affiliated. Such fee waivers are currently available only to domestic applicants.

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A comprehensive list of funding opportunities for graduate and postgraduate students can be found here , but a list of some of the more commonly petitioned agencies and department-specific awards are below:

Andrew Mellon Predoctoral Fellowships

These fellowships are awarded to students of exceptional promise and ability either when they first enroll in the PhD program or when they have advanced to the dissertation stage. They carry a stipend plus remission of tuition. No service is required.

The application process begins in January of each year. Information is provided by the graduate secretary of the Department of Biological Sciences.

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

The National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) helps ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science and engineering in the United States and reinforces its diversity. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions.  The NSF welcomes applications from all qualified students and strongly encourages under-represented populations, including women, under-represented racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities, to apply for this fellowship.

Deadline: November

American Heart Association Great Rivers Affiliate Predoctoral Fellowships

The American Heart Association Great Rivers Affiliate (which covers Pennsylvania) offers a pre-doctoral fellowship to help students initiate careers in cardiovascular and stroke research by providing research assistance and training. Proposals are encouraged from all basic, epidemiological and/or clinical disciplines that bear on cardiovascular and stroke problems. It is particularly important for the new fellow to receive wise counsel and direction from a senior investigator interested in the conduct and progress of the research project during the research-training period. Each fellow must have a sponsor.

Deadline: January

Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program Predoctoral Traineeship

The Predoctoral Traineeship Award supports the training of promising graduate students studying breast cancer under the guidance of a designated mentor to prepare them for successful careers in breast cancer research.

Deadline : see website for program announcements

National Institutes of Health Individual Predoctoral Kirschstein Fellowships

The purpose of this individual predoctoral research training fellowship is to provide support for promising doctoral candidates who will be performing dissertation research and training in scientific health-related fields relevant to the missions of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers. 

Deadline: see website

McKinley Research Fund

The G. Murray McKinley Research Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation provides grants to support research in ecology conducted at the PLE.

Deadline: February

Arthur and Barbara Pape Endowment

The Arthur and Barbara Pape Endowment provides support for research conducted at PLE.

Leasure K. Darbaker Prize in Botany

The Leasure K. Darbaker Prize in Botany is an annual award available for support of botany-related studies conducted at PLE at the graduate or post doctoral levels.

Departmental Awards

Stanton c. crawford award , ivy mcmanus award, mary p. edmonds award, margaret a. oweida fellowship.

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Global PhD Student Fellowship in Biology

The NYU Abu Dhabi Global PhD Student Fellowship in Biology is offered in collaboration with the Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU New York.

The program generally involves one to two years of classwork at NYU New York, followed by three to four years of research at NYU Abu Dhabi. If selected, the doctorate is fully funded under the NYU Abu Dhabi Global PhD Student Fellowship.

Key Features of the Fellowship

• New York University degree upon graduation
• Access to the extraordinary resources of the NYU Graduate School of Arts and Science
• Graduate coursework in New York
• Cutting-edge research opportunities in NYU Abu Dhabi’s labs
• Tuition, fees, and health insurance provided throughout the program
• Generous research assistantship and stipend provided by NYU Abu Dhabi throughout the program
• Assistance for degree-related travel between Abu Dhabi and New York
• Campus accommodation at no cost in Abu Dhabi
• A contribution toward accommodation costs in New York
• Career development assistance at both campuses

Interested in Applying?

Get in touch with us.

Learn How to Apply

The applications for Fall 2024 are now closed. Applications will re-open for Fall 2025 in September.

Our Research

See where you can do biology research at NYU Abu Dhabi.

Science at NYU Abu Dhabi

Addressing pressing issues affecting the globe.

NYU New York Biology Doctoral Program

Graduate student highlights.

"For a researcher, it's a dream come true"

Biology student Wael Abdrabou can quickly process data from his fieldwork in Burkina Faso because of NYU Abu Dhabi’s excellent lab facilities.

Finding the right research environment

PhD fellow Patrice Delaney grew up on an island, so she has always been interested in studying our natural world.

For more information about our programs, please contact  [email protected] .

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Fellowships

The Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship offers a special opportunity for U.S. citizens seeking a Ph.D. in Computational Biology at the University of Kansas. Self Graduate Fellows receive $34,000 each year for four years, full tuition and fees, and the opportunity to participate in the Fellow Development Program. For more information, please visit the Self Graduate Programs Website.

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All graduate students receive:

• Full-tuition coverage
• Stipend to cover living expenses
• Individual Health Insurance – MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan .

Graduate fellowships and scholarships

We encourage applicants and current students to apply for independent funding from outside organizations.

Fellowships for U.S. citizens and permanent residents

• American Association of University Women (AAUW) American Dissertation Fellowships  – Open to women scholars
• Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship  – Open to first year graduate students (may apply before or during your first year)
• Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowship  – Open to first and second year graduate students (may apply before or during your first year)
• Ford Foundation Fellowship Program
• Hertz Foundation Fellowships
• National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship  – Open to first and second year graduate students
• The National GEM Consortium Fellowship  – Open to minority graduate students
• Graduate Fellowships for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Diversity (GFSD)
• National Science Foundation  – Numerous funding opportunities including the Graduate Research Fellowship Program
• Office of Naval Research
• P.D. Soros Fellowship for New Americans   – Applicant’s birth parents must have both been born outside of the US as non-US citizens, and both parents must not have been eligible for US citizenship at the time of their births.

Fellowships for international students

• American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships  – Open to women scholars
• Kennedy Memorial Trust Scholarships  – Citizens from Great Britain are eligible to apply
• MIT Office of Graduate Education  – List of financial resources specifically for international students
• Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future  – Open to women from developing countries or emerging economies

Fellowships for U.S. citizens and international students

• Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
• The Gilliam Fellowships – Application by invitation only
• Josephine de Karman Fellowship Trust
• Link Foundation Energy Fellowships
• MIT Office of Graduate Education Fellowships  – See specific grant for eligibility
• National Institute of Health  – See specific grant for eligibility
• Petersons.com  – Web search for scholarship opportunities
• USA Today  – Web search for scholarship opportunities; note that some databases may require registration

Google PhD fellowship program

Google PhD Fellowships directly support graduate students as they pursue their PhD, as well as connect them to a Google Research Mentor.

Nurturing and maintaining strong relations with the academic community is a top priority at Google. The Google PhD Fellowship Program was created to recognize outstanding graduate students doing exceptional and innovative research in areas relevant to computer science and related fields. Fellowships support promising PhD candidates of all backgrounds who seek to influence the future of technology. Google’s mission is to foster inclusive research communities and encourage people of diverse backgrounds to apply. We currently offer fellowships in Africa, Australia, Canada, East Asia, Europe, India, Latin America, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the United States.

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Program details

Application status, how to apply, research areas of focus, review criteria, award recipients.

Applications are currently closed.

Decisions for the 2024 application cycle will be announced via email in July 2024. Please check back in 2025 for details on future application cycles.

• Launch March 27, 2024
• Deadline May 8, 2024
• Winner selected by July 31, 2024

The details of each Fellowship vary by region. Please see our FAQ for eligibility requirements and application instructions.

PhD students must be nominated by their university. Applications should be submitted by an official representative of the university during the application window. Please see the FAQ for more information.

Australia and New Zealand

Canada and the United States

PhD students in Japan, Korea and Taiwan must be nominated by their university. After the university's nomination is completed, either an official representative of the university or the nominated students can submit applications during the application window. Please see the FAQ for more information.

India and Southeast Asia

PhD students apply directly during the application window. Please see the FAQ for more information.

Latin America

The 2024 application cycle is postponed. Please check back in 2025 for details on future application cycles.

Google PhD Fellowship students are a select group recognized by Google researchers and their institutions as some of the most promising young academics in the world. The Fellowships are awarded to students who represent the future of research in the fields listed below. Note that region-specific research areas will be listed in application forms during the application window.

Algorithms and Theory

Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing

Health and Bioscience

Human-Computer Interaction and Visualization

Machine Intelligence

Machine Perception

Natural Language Processing

Quantum Computing

Security, Privacy and Abuse Prevention

Software Engineering

Software Systems

Speech Processing

Applications are evaluated on the strength of the research proposal, research impact, student academic achievements, and leadership potential. Research proposals are evaluated for innovative concepts that are relevant to Google’s research areas, as well as aspects of robustness and potential impact to the field. Proposals should include the direction and any plans of where your work is going in addition to a comprehensive description of the research you are pursuing.

In Canada and the United States, East Asia and Latin America, essay responses are evaluated in addition to application materials to determine an overall recommendation.

What does the Google PhD Fellowship include?

Students receive named Fellowships which include a monetary award. The funds are given directly to the university to be distributed to cover the student’s expenses and stipend as appropriate. In addition, the student will be matched with a Google Research Mentor. There is no employee relationship between the student and Google as a result of receiving the fellowship. The award does not preclude future eligibility for internships or employment opportunities at Google, nor does it increase the chances of obtaining them. If students wish to apply for a job at Google, they are welcome to apply for jobs and go through the same hiring process as any other person.

• Up to 3 year Fellowship
• US $12K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
• Google Research Mentor
• 1 year Fellowship
• AUD $15K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
• Up to 2 year Fellowship (effective from 2024 for new recipients)
• Full tuition and fees (enrollment fees, health insurance, books) plus a stipend to be used for living expenses, travel and personal equipment
• US $10K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
• Yearly bursary towards stipend / salary, health care, social benefits, tuition and fees, conference travel and personal computing equipment. The bursary varies by country.

Early-stage PhD students

• Up to 4 year Fellowship
• US $50K to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel

Late-stage PhD students

• US $10K to recognise research contributions, cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel
• US $15K per year to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel

Southeast Asia

• US $10K per year for up to 3 years (or up to graduation, whichever is earlier) to cover stipend and other research related activities, travel expenses including overseas travel

Is my university eligible for the PhD Fellowship Program?

Africa, Australia/New Zealand , Canada, East Asia, Europe and the United States : universities must be an accredited research institution that awards research degrees to PhD students in computer science (or an adjacent field).

India, Latin America and Southeast Asia : applications are open to universities/institutes in India, Latin America (excluding Cuba), and in eligible Southeast Asian countries/regions (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam).

Restrictions : All award payments and recipients will be reviewed for compliance with relevant US and international laws, regulations and policies. Google reserves the right to withhold funding that may violate laws, regulations or our policies.

What are the eligibility requirements for students?

All regions

• Students must remain enrolled full-time in the PhD program for the duration of the Fellowship or forfeit the award.
• Google employees, and their spouses, children, and members of their household are not eligible.
• Students that are already supported by a comparable industry award are not eligible. Government or non-profit organization funding is exempt.
• Past awardees from the PhD Fellowship program are not eligible to apply again.
• Grant of the Fellowship does not mean admission to a PhD program. The awardee must separately apply and be accepted to a PhD program in computer science (or an adjacent field) at an eligible institution.
• Grant of the Fellowship will be subject to the rules and guidelines applicable in the institution where the awardee registers for the PhD program.

Nominated students in Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and the United States, East Asia and Europe.

Universities should only nominate students that meet the following requirements:

• Africa: Incoming PhD students are eligible to apply, but the Fellowship award shall be contingent on the awardee registering for a full-time PhD program in computer science (or an adjacent field) within the academic award year of the Fellowship award, or the award shall be forfeited.
• Australia and New Zealand : early-stage students enrolled in the first or second year of their PhD (no requirement for completion of graduate coursework by the academic award year).
• Canada and the United States : students who have completed graduate coursework in their PhD by the academic award year when the Fellowship begins.
• East Asia: students who have completed most of graduate coursework in their PhD by the academic award year when the Fellowship begins. Students should have sufficient time for research projects after receiving a fellowship.
• Europe: Students enrolled at any stage of their PhD are eligible to apply.

Direct applicant students in India, Latin America and Southeast Asia

• Latin America : incoming or early stage-students enrolled in the first or second year of their PhD (no requirement for completion of graduate coursework by the academic award year).

What should be included in an application? What language should the application be in?

All application materials should be submitted in English.

For each student nomination, the university will be asked to submit the following material in a single, flat (not portfolio) PDF file:

• Student CV with links to website and publications (if available)
• Short (1-page) resume/CV of the student's primary PhD program advisor
• Available transcripts (mark sheets) starting from first year/semester of Bachelor's degree to date
• Research proposal (maximum 3 pages, excluding references)
• 2-3 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the nominee''s work (at least one from the thesis advisor for current PhD students)
• Student essay response (350-word limit) to: What impact would receiving this Fellowship have on your education? Describe any circumstances affecting your need for a Fellowship and what educational goals this Fellowship will enable you to accomplish.
• Transcripts of current and previous academic records
• 1-2 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the nominee's work (at least one from the thesis advisor)

Canada, East Asia, the United States

• Cover sheet signed by the Department Chair confirming the student passes eligibility requirements. (See FAQ "What are the eligibility requirements for students?")
• Short (1-page) CV of the student's primary advisor
• 2-3 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the nominee's work (at least one from the thesis advisor)
• Research / dissertation proposal (maximum 3 pages, excluding references)
• Student essay response (350-word limit) to: Describe the desired impact your research will make on the field and society, and why this is important to you. Include any personal, educational and/or professional experiences that have motivated your research interests.
• Student essay response (350-word limit) to: Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. (A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities? Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family?)

Students will need the following documents in a single, flat (not portfolio) PDF file in order to complete an application (in English only):

• Student applicant’s resume with links to website and publications (if available)
• Short (one-page) resume/CV of the student applicant's primary PhD program advisor
• 2-3 letters of recommendation from those familiar with the applicant's work (at least one from the thesis advisor for current PhD students)
• Applicant's essay response (350-word limit) to: Describe the desired impact your research will make on the field and society, and why this is important to you. Include any personal, educational and/or professional experiences that have motivated your research interests.
• Applicant's essay response (350-word limit) to: What are your long-term goals for your pathway in computing research, and how would receiving the Google PhD Fellowship help you progress toward those goals in the short-term?

How do I apply for the PhD Fellowship Program? Who should submit the applications? Can students apply directly for a Fellowship?

Check the eligibility and application requirements in your region before applying. Submission forms are available on this page when the application period begins.

India, Latin America and Southeast Asia: students may apply directly during the application period.

Africa, Australia, Canada, East Asia, Europe, New Zealand, and the United States : students cannot apply directly to the program; they must be nominated by an eligible university during the application period.

How many students may each university nominate?

India, Latin America and Southeast Asia : applications are open directly to students with no limit to the number of students that can apply from a university.

Australia and New Zealand : universities may nominate up to two eligible students.

Canada and the United States : Universities may nominate up to four eligible students. We encourage nominating students with diverse backgrounds especially those from historically marginalized groups in the field of computing. If more than two students are nominated then we strongly encourage additional nominees who self-identify as a woman, Black / African descent, Hispanic / Latino / Latinx, Indigenous, and/or a person with a disability.

Africa, East Asia and Europe : Universities may nominate up to three eligible students. We encourage nominating students with diverse backgrounds especially those from historically marginalized groups in the field of computing. If more than two students are nominated then we strongly encourage the additional nominee who self-identifies as a woman.

*Applications are evaluated on merit. Please see FAQ for details on how applications are evaluated.

How are applications evaluated?

In Canada and the United State, East Asia and Latin America, essay responses are evaluated in addition to application materials to determine an overall recommendation.

A nominee's status as a member of a historically marginalized group is not considered in the selection of award recipients.

Research should align with Google AI Principles .

Incomplete proposals will not be considered.

How are Google PhD Fellowships given?

Any monetary awards will be paid directly to the Fellow's university for distribution. No overhead should be assessed against them.

What are the intellectual property implications of a Google PhD Fellowship?

Fellowship recipients are not subject to intellectual property restrictions unless they complete an internship at Google. If that is the case, they are subject to the same intellectual property restrictions as any other Google intern.

Will the Fellowship recipients become employees of Google?

No, Fellowship recipients do not become employees of Google due to receiving the award. The award does not preclude future eligibility for internships or employment opportunities at Google, nor does it increase the chances of obtaining them. If they are interested in working at Google, they are welcome to apply for jobs and go through the same hiring process as any other person.

Can Fellowship recipients also be considered for other Google scholarships?

Yes, Fellowship recipients are eligible for these scholarships .

After award notification, when do the Google PhD Fellowships begin?

After Google PhD Fellowship recipients are notified, the Fellowship is effective starting the following school year.

What is the program application time period?

Applications for the 2024 program will open in March 2024 and close in May 2024 for all regions. Refer to the main Google PhD Fellowship Program page for each region’s application details.

A global awards announcement will be made in September on the Google Research Blog publicly announcing all award recipients.

How can I ask additional questions?

Due to the volume of emails we receive, we may not be able to respond to questions where the answer is available on the website. If your question has not been answered by a FAQ, email:

Africa: [email protected]

Australia and New Zealand: [email protected]

Canada and the United States: [email protected]

East Asia: [email protected]

Europe: [email protected]

India: [email protected]

Latin America: [email protected]

Southeast Asia: [email protected]

See past PhD Fellowship recipients.

Discover our collection of tools and resources

Browse our library of open source projects, public datasets, APIs and more to find the tools you need to tackle your next challenge or fuel your next breakthrough.

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Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)

View guidelines, important information for proposers.

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Supports postdoctoral fellows in selected areas of the life sciences who focus on broadening participation of underrepresented groups in biology; study the rules governing interactions between genomes, environments and phenotypes; or study plant genomes.

The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) awards Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) to recent recipients of the doctoral degree for research and training in  selected  areas supported by BIO and with special goals for human resource development in biology. For proposals under this solicitation, these areas are  (1) Broadening Participation of Groups Underrepresented in Biology, (2) Integrative Research Investigating the Rules of Life Governing Interactions Between Genomes, Environment and Phenotypes, and (3) Plant Genome Postdoctoral Research Fellowships.  

The fellowships encourage independence at an early stage of the research career to permit Fellows to pursue their research and training goals in the most appropriate research locations in collaboration with sponsoring scientists. It is expected that the sponsoring scientists will actively mentor the Fellows and will greatly benefit from collaborating with these talented early-career scientists and incorporating them into their research groups. The research and training plan of each fellowship must address important scientific questions within the scope of BIO and the specific guidelines in this fellowship program solicitation. Because the fellowships are offered to postdoctoral scientists only early in their careers, NSF encourages doctoral students to discuss the availability of these postdoctoral fellowships with their doctoral mentors and potential postdoctoral sponsors early in their doctoral programs to take full advantage of this funding opportunity. Fellowships are awards to individuals, not institutions, and are administered by the Fellows. 

Updates and announcements

Faqs on submitting postdoctoral research fellowships in biology (prfb) proposals, prfb virtual office hours, program contacts, program events.

• September 21, 2023 - PRFB Virtual Office Hours
• September 19, 2023 - PRFB Virtual Office Hours
• September 13, 2023 - MCB Virtual Office Hour: Postdoctoral Research Fellowships…
• September 13, 2023 - PRFB Virtual Office Hours
• March 21, 2023 - Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) Virtual Office…
• November 16, 2021 - Q&A Session for the Postdoctoral Research Fellowships…
• September 8, 2021 - Post-doctoral Research Fellowships in Biology
• October 9, 2020 - Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology Webinars
• October 6, 2020 - Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology Webinars

Additional program resources

• How to Apply for Fellowship Applicants
• Sponsoring Scientist Statement Instructions
• Reference Letter Author Submission Guide
• For Current PRFB Fellows: PRFB Administrative guide (NSF 22-109)
• For PRFB Applicants: PRFB Administrative Guide (NSF 23-137)

Awards made through this program

Organization(s).

• Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO)

• Scholarship

The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program is dedicated to ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of every action and every decision. We know that having varied perspectives helps generate better ideas to solve the complex problems of a changing world. To be effective stewards we must ensure our programs reflect the communities in which we live, work, and play. The longevity and success of our system depends on creating a culture that is welcoming and inclusive of all.

The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program provides support for master’s and doctoral degrees in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology—these may include but are not limited to ocean and/or coastal: engineering, social science, marine education, marine stewardship, cultural anthropology, and resource management disciplines—and particularly encourages Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and women to apply.

In order to have a competitive application for the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, you need to demonstrate academic excellence and financial need. It is recommended that you review the following bullets to assess whether or not you should apply for this scholarship.

• Your research proposal aligns closely with NOAA's mission, with particular emphasis on meeting the science priorities of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. This is worth up to 30 points of your application score.
• Your financial need statement documents a strong financial need due to challenges, hardships, or other information through a compelling personal narrative. This is worth up to 25 points of your application score.
• You have exceptional letters of recommendation. This is worth up to 10 points of your application score.
• Historically, proposals that do not support the science or education priorities of NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary System do not rank as high.
• If you are in the last year of your Masters or Ph.D. program, it is not advised to apply for this scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

View All FAQs

Dr. Nancy Foster

Dr. Nancy Foster's Legacy

Class of 2023

Laura Kate Anthony

Her dissertation focuses on how different environmental variables influence deep-sea coral reproduction.

Amanda Nichole Croteau

Utilizing Siderastrea siderea isotope geochemistry, Amanda aims to reconstruct past climate, understand the biochemical effects of coral disease, and predict future ocean conditions of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

Serina Moheed

Serina has partnered with the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary to investigate seagrass wasting disease in Tomales Bay, an estuary with a natural temperature gradient.

Kailey Pascoe

Kailey's goal is to honor her heritage by using science and innovative technologies to comprehend how coral reefs respond to climate change, and how science can aid management efforts to reverse their rapid decline.

Allyson Genevieve Ropp

Her doctoral research aims to integrate archaeology, microbial ecology, hydrology, and geospatial sciences to characterize and evaluate wooden shipwreck degradation.

Yasamin Sharifi

Her Ph.D. research seeks to better understand how the cycling of nutrients (particularly nitrogen) in coastal areas interacts with anthropogenic and environmental drivers to influence the bottom-up ecology of kelp forest ecosystems.

Philip Fan Yang

Philip's research will focus on generating a spatial and temporal understanding of environmental variability in mesophotic coral and coralline macroalgae ecosystems in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

Meet the Scholars

The NOAA Ship Nancy Foster (R 352) commissioned May 10, 2004.

Dr. Nancy Foster Scholars can expect support by NOAA throughout their scholarship experience, as well as help to create a pathway to a future career. NOAA staff will mentor and foster collaborative experiences for each scholar. Through hands-on research, policy and education, the National Marine Sanctuary System provides a classroom away from universities and colleges to allow for students to experience real world science in some of the United States most special underwater treasures and to become ambassadors for NOAA and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program applicants are encouraged to document how their research activities support NOAA's mission , particularly the mission of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries , and the science priorities and specific needs assessment of the National Marine Sanctuary System.

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Top 103 Biology Scholarships in May 2024

Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

Learn about our editorial policies

Biology is an intriguing and versatile major since people with biology degrees can go on to conduct tests in a lab, care for zoo animals, work in a hospital, or do field research just about anywhere!

With these exciting options, it’s no surprise that so many people choose to study biology. We put the top biology scholarships under our Scholarships360 microscope to find you the best opportunities and make your education more affordable.

Why choose Scholarships360

We helped over 4 million students find scholarships in 2023

We've spent over 4,000 hours reviewing 3,000 scholarship programs

13+ years of experience helping students make smart education decisions

The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

• The scholarship requires a fee to apply
• The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
• The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
• Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
• The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
• The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
• The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
• There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
• The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
• There is no available contact information

If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!

* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system. ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements. ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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$40,000 Build a College List Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by The College Board

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GeneTex Scholarship

Offered by GeneTex

Are you a STEM major in college or university looking for help to pay off your degree? If so, consider applying for the GeneTex Scholarship!… Show More

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Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Niche

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

Wiingy Future STEM Leaders Scholarship

Offered by Wiingy

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Offered by DoSomething.org

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Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident between the ages of 13 and 25 who is currently attending or planning to attend a post-secondary institution? Further, do you have a passion for STEM? If so, the Science Go Seek School Challenge may be a great opportunity for you! Each year, the scholarship awards $2,500 to one applicant who makes the best 30-60-second video sharing the hidden connections between STEM and their hobbies and interests. In addition to the scholarship, winning applicants may receive a $3,000 grant to go towards their middle or high school. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bold.org

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Al-Ben Scholarship College Undergraduate Awards

Offered by Los Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers

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$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

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Save The Everglades Scholarship

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Aylesworth Scholarship

Offered by Aylesworth Foundation & Florida Sea Grant College Program

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$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

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Satrix Saves The Seas Scholarship

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Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Fellowship

Offered by Helen Hay Whitney Foundation

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$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

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MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship

Offered by MPOWER Financing

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Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship

Offered by Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance

Are you a full-time undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in forestry, wildlife, or marine science at a Louisiana public university? If so, consider… Show More

Are you a full-time undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in forestry, wildlife, or marine science at a Louisiana public university? If so, consider applying for the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards $2,000 and $3,000 to undergraduate and graduate students, respectively. These scholarships can be renewed for up to three years of undergraduate study and two years of graduate study, so long as winners continue to meet the eligibility criteria. The scholarship is provided by the Louisana Office of Student Financial Assistance.  If you fit their scholarship criteria and have a passion for the natural world (and sciences) around us, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

Jump ahead to…

• How to win biology scholarships

Resources for biology majors

• Frequently asked questions
• Explore these additional scholarship categories

How to win biology scholarships  

Like exams and many other things in college, the more time you put in, the better you will do! The same rules apply to scholarships. If you want to win, you need to put in the time! Talking about yourself and your academic achievements for scholarship essays might feel strange at first, but once you write a few essays, you should start to feel more comfortable with it. 

To get started, give our article about how to write an essay about yourself a read, then take some time to explore how we can help you start your scholarship essays and how we can help you end your scholarship essays .  

Once you’ve exhausted the scholarships on this list, use our ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships to apply to even more!  

Top Easy Scholarships of May 2024

$10,000 “no essay” scholarship.

June 30, 2024

Jun 30, 2024

Easy scholarship open to all US-based high school, college, community college and graduate students.

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

May 31, 2024

Easy $2,000 monthly scholarship. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school!

Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

Tree of life web project.

This is a collaborative and user-run database of information collected by biologists and nature enthusiasts around the world! Whether you are deciding whether biology is the major for you, or stuck on a biology paper, this site could come in handy. Though it is not likely to be reliable enough to cite for a paper, it could steer you in the direction of some sources which are.

iBiology is a database of open-access, free videos which will educate you about biology facts as well as the general framework that biologists use to solve problems.

Molecular Workbench

Molecular Workbench offers simulations of labs and other biological experiments. This can give you a preview of what you might learn as a biology major, and if you are already studying biology, you can use it to dip your toe into new subfields which may interest you.

Frequently asked questions about biology scholarships

What classes should i take if i want to major in biology.

Every school has its own requirements for biology majors, so it is worth looking at your specific college’s website to learn about the requirements. Here is a sample class guide for biology majors at the University of Michigan, to give you some idea of the classes you might take as a biology major if you haven’t chosen a school yet!

Also see: First year of college: How to prepare

What is the highest paying scholarship?

Biology scholarships for undergraduate study tend to range from about $1,000 to $5,000, but there are some more substantial biology scholarships for graduate study, such as this scholarship at MIT.

Don’t miss: How to make the most out of college

How do I succeed as a biology major?

To succeed as a biology major, you can make sure that you are taking your required courseload, take good notes in class, and make sure to apply for scholarships and grants to allow yourself to pursue labs and field studies in your field of interest!

What major does biology fall under?

Although this varies by school, biology is typically its own major, with several different concentrations of biology contained within the subject. It is considered one of the hard sciences.

Also see: How to choose a major

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• About Fellowships and Training Opportunities
• Explore Short-Term and Full-Time Training Opportunities
• Host Site Opportunities
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• Additional Opportunities and Resources
• Training and Education

Master's Degree Full-Time Opportunities

• Learn about full-time fellowship opportunities for those who have or will soon have a master's degree.
• These opportunities are one or two years long and offer unique experiences that can help develop a public health career path.

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*Denotes fellowships offered in partnership with CDC

Fellowships and Training Opportunities

The Fellowships and Training Opportunities site provides information about a variety of fellowship, internship, and training opportunities for students and professionals.