Funding
Fellowships & Awards
Students have a variety of options for funding their graduate education and research and are strongly encouraged to seek funding from both internal and external sources.
The Graduate School
The Graduate School offers a range of fellowships, awards, and travel grants to attract and support outstanding graduate students, including the award-winning Presidential Fellowship. Find a complete list of awards administered by The Graduate School here.
Departmental Awards
Departmental assistantships, fellowships, and travel grants vary in amount and availability. If you are interested in a departmental award, please contact your department directly.
University Awards
Graduate students are usually nominated for university awards by their home department. Because university-wide competitions for funding have early deadlines, we encourage you to begin the process as early as possible.
Research Centers and Institutes
The University of South Carolina supports more than 100 research centers, institutes, and collaborative networks across campus. Here graduate students can find support for research which aligns with the institutes’ mission. Some examples include
- Ceny Walker Graduate Fellowship, Walker Institute of International and Area Studies
- Confucius Institute Scholarship Program, Confucius Institute
- David G. Ellison Graduate Fellowship, Institute for Southern Studies
- African Studies Fellowship Competition, African Studies Fellowship Competition
Diversity Fellowships
African American students who are pursuing doctoral degrees and who are interested in becoming college professors are eligible to participate in the African American Professors Program.
Colleges and Schools
The college or school which houses your department can be a good place to find generous fellowships. In most cases students must be nominated by their department to qualify for these awards. Some examples include
- Presidential Doctoral Teaching Fellowships in Social Advocacy & Ethical Life, College of Arts & Sciences
- Dean’s Doctoral Fellowship Award, College of Nursing
- College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Dissertation Fellowships
Innovation, Technology, & Entrepreneurial Initiatives
The Office of the Vice President for Research supports research innovation and the scholarly and creative activities of USC faculty and students. Resources include
Entrepreneurial competitions that are open to graduate students include
- The Proving Ground, Innovista
- Invent Event, USC Technology Commercialization Office
National Awards
USC students have a distinguished record of successfully competing in national fellowship competitions. Most recently, USC was named a top Fulbright producer for 2012-2013. Because national fellowship competitions have particularly early deadlines, we encourage you to begin the process as early as possible. Generally, students should begin looking for funding about one year in advance..
Office of Fellowship and Scholar Programs
Graduate students who intend to compete for national fellowships are encouraged to visit USC’s Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs (OFSP). OFSP specializes in giving students advice on all aspects of the application and interview processes for national competitions.
Each semester, they also host a National Fellowship Workshop Series. Tailored to prepare applicants for corresponding fellowships, these workshops feature faculty experts and previous winners whose insights into the selection process can help increase your chances of winning a national fellowship.
Research Grants and National Fellowships
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive updates on graduate student-related opportunities such as:
- National research grants and fellowships
- National dissertation and thesis awards
- Non-profit, cultural and research agency awards
- Academe-related internships
- Postdocs
- Interdisciplinary (and sometimes international) call for proposals