Fellowships and Scholarships for Graduate Study

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

There are more fellowships and scholarships than you might think there are to help fund graduate or professional study. It’s helpful to be creative and persistent in your search, and in your applications. This research will give you an overview of some of the fellowships out there, and tips for searching for opportunities.

    Chinese Government Scholarship (seniors and graduates)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    The Chinese government has set up a variety of scholarship programs to sponsor international students, teachers, and scholars to study and do research at Chinese universities. Wellesley may nominate graduating seniors and graduates for these awards. Campus application deadline typically in early in the new year.

    Introduction to Fellowships for Graduates

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    Fellowships and scholarships can fund graduate or professional study, purposeful travel, professional placements, self-designed projects, and so much more. They can help you build your experience and qualifications, help you explore a passion, and clarify a path forward. What would you do with a fellowship?

    Yenching Academy Scholarship at Peking University (seniors & graduates)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    The Yenching Academy of Peking University builds bridges between China and the rest of the world through an interdisciplinary master’s program in China Studies for outstanding graduates from all over the globe. This initiative brings together young people who show promise to lead and innovate in their fields in an intensive learning environment where they can explore China and its role in the world — past, present, and future. The Academy aims to thereby shape a new generation of global citizens with a nuanced understanding of China and its role in the world.

    Wellesley is an official Partner Institution for the Yenching Academy: campus deadline typically in November.

    A Brief Introduction to Fellowships and Scholarships

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    Fellowships and scholarships offer funding to support a range of purposeful activities, including undergraduate research, language study/other study abroad, self-designed projects, teaching and service, graduate or professional study, or even internships and professional placements. They can open doors for you to things you might not be able to pursue otherwise.

    There are opportunities for students and graduates of every nationality and at every stage of their careers. What might be the right fit for you?

    McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill (rising seniors & graduates)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    The McCall MacBain Scholarships seek to bring together exceptional students from around the world who strive to engage in positive change by taking on meaningful leadership roles. McCall MacBain Scholars connect with mentors and participate in an interdisciplinary leadership program while pursuing a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University! (Campus deadline typically in August.)

    Schwarzman Scholars Program (rising seniors & graduates)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    Supports leadership development & a special one-year Master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, taught in English. Eligible are graduating seniors, current graduate and professional students, and recent graduates from any country and any major (knowledge of Mandarin is an asset but is not required). Official deadlines typically in May and September.

    Rhodes Scholarship (rising seniors & graduates)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    Did you know that citizens of any country are now eligible to apply for the Rhodes Scholarships, for graduate study at the University of Oxford? Campus deadline for Wellesley applicants for Global Rhodes is typically in early June and for the Canadian and US Rhodes typically in late August. Application deadlines for other Rhodes competitions may fall even earlier (see their website, and Career Education deadline listings). All prospective Wellesley Rhodes applicants are encouraged to seek advice from Kate Dailinger, of Wellesley's Career Education, and learn more through this resource page.

    Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program (seniors & graduates)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    Offers full scholarships for any graduate or professional degree offered at Stanford University, plus leadership development, aimed at preparing leaders to find creative solutions for the world's greatest problems. Eligible are graduating seniors and recent graduates, from any country. Apply to the Knight-Hennessy by their deadline in early October, and to the Stanford degree program of your choice by the deadline for that program.

    The Susan Rappaport Knafel ’52 Scholarship for Foreign Study or Traveling Fellowship (seniors)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    Scholarship for Foreign Study – up to $36,000
    The scholarship will be awarded to a member of the graduating class who displays a desire for learning and an ability to impart knowledge and judgment to others.  It will fund a year of study at a foreign institution to pursue a specific subject that requires contact with foreign scholars, libraries or other resources.  

    Traveling Fellowship – up to $36,000
    The fellowship will be awarded to a member of the graduating class who displays an interest in and an acceptance of others, and who displays the ethos of a Wellesley education.  It will fund a year of purposeful travel abroad to explore a particular interest with the requirement that the recipient not remain in the same area for more than two months.

    Wellesley College Graduate Fellowships (WCGF—seniors & graduates)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    Wellesley College offers a number of fellowships and scholarships for graduate study or research open to Wellesley seniors and graduates. Two awards are open to women graduates of any American institution (the Schimke and the Shackford). Awards are usually made to applicants currently enrolled in or applying to graduate/professional school for the following academic year; there is a single common application process for most of these awards, and the campus deadline is typically in January.

    Sep 25, 2024

    Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford - expected direct application deadline

    Graduating seniors and recent graduates, in any field and from any country.

    Research/Gradschool, International Student, Postgraduate

    The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program is an exciting new scholarship and leadership development program which seeks to prepare leaders to address global challenges in the 21st century and beyond! With applications launched for the very first time in 2017, each year the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program will identify a group of up to 100 high-achieving students from around the world with demonstrated leadership and civic commitment to receive full funding to pursue any graduate or professional degree in any field offered at...

    May 20, 2024

    Schwarzman Scholars Program - direct application deadline for applicants from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao

    Eligible: citizens of any nation (though this May deadline is specifically for applicants who hold passports from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao) who are rising seniors or recent graduates under the age of 29. All applicants must have strong English language skills. Proficiency in Mandarin is not required, but would certainly be an asset.

    Research/Gradschool, International Student, Travel, Postgraduate

    Each new cohort of Schwarzman Scholars will join a global network of the world's most talented young leaders, helping to build stronger links between China and a rapidly changing world. The Schwarzman Scholars experience is anchored in a rigorous and innovative Master’s of Global Affairs degree program at Tsinghua University, one of the country's leading universities. Drawing on the best traditions of Tsinghua and top academic institutions around the world, the curriculum bridges the academic and professional worlds to educate students about leadership and about China's expanding role in...

    Aug 21, 2024

    McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill - campus deadline to declare intention to apply

    Eligible: candidates in all fields, from any country, planning to apply in the same application cycle for admission to a full-time master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate program at McGill University.

    Research/Gradschool, International Student, Postgraduate, Travel

    The new McCall MacBain Scholarships seek to bring together exceptional students who strive to engage in positive change by taking on meaningful leadership roles. McCall MacBain Scholars connect with mentors and participate in an interdisciplinary leadership program while pursuing a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University!

    Applications will open this summer for the third global cohort. Up to 20 Canadians (citizens, permanent residents, and refugees) and 10 international candidates will...

    Sep 12, 2024

    Israel Rhodes Scholarship - expected direct application deadline

    Eligible: graduating seniors and alumnae who are citizens of Israel.

    Research/Gradschool, International Student, Travel, Postgraduate

    The Rhodes Trust, based at the University of Oxford, brings together and develops exceptional people from all over the world, and in all fields of study, who are impatient with the way things are and have the courage to act. Each year, there are two Scholarships available for Israel, to support postgraduate study at Oxford.

    **Please note this is an expected deadline; please see the program website for updates and additional details.

    **For details of eligibility and how to apply, see the official Rhodes website: https...

    Jun 20, 2024

    Rhodes Scholarship: Global Competition - campus deadline to declare interest

    Rising seniors, current seniors, and alumnae from any country not included in another Rhodes competition (see official website for details), who meet the official eligibility criteria.

    Research/Gradschool, International Student, Travel, Postgraduate, Service

    The Rhodes Trust, based at the University of Oxford, brings together and develops exceptional people from all over the world, and in all fields of study, who are impatient with the way things are and have the courage to act.  One of the oldest and most prestigious international awards, Rhodes Scholarships provide full funding for postgraduate study in any field at the University of Oxford.  For the first time in 2018, Rhodes Scholarships were opened to citizens of any country, through the creation of the Global...

    Aug 1, 2024

    East Africa Rhodes Scholarship - direct application deadline

    Eligible: graduating seniors and alumnae from Uganda, Tanzania, Rawanda, South Sudan, and Burundi in any field.

    Research/Gradschool, International Student, Travel, Postgraduate

    The Rhodes Trust, based at the University of Oxford, brings together and develops exceptional people from all over the world, and in all fields of study, who are impatient with the way things are and have the courage to act.  Each year, there is one Scholarship available for East Africa, to support postgraduate study at Oxford.  East Africa includes Uganda, Tanzania, Rawanda, South Sudan, and Burundi.

    **For details of eligibility and how to apply, see the official Rhodes website: https...

    Aug 1, 2024

    New Zealand Rhodes Scholarship - direct application deadline

    Eligible: graduating seniors and alumnae from New Zealand in any field.

    Research/Gradschool, International Student, Travel, Postgraduate

    The Rhodes Trust, based at the University of Oxford, brings together and develops exceptional people from all over the world, and in all fields of study, who are impatient with the way things are and have the courage to act.  Each year, there are three Scholarships available for New Zealand, to support postgraduate study at Oxford.

    **For details of eligibility and how to apply, see the official Rhodes website: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk

    Although Wellesley...

    Aug 1, 2024

    India Rhodes Scholarship - direct application deadline

    Eligible: graduating seniors and alumnae from India in any field.

    Research/Gradschool, International Student, Travel, Postgraduate

    The Rhodes Trust, based at the University of Oxford, brings together and develops exceptional people from all over the world, and in all fields of study, who are impatient with the way things are and have the courage to act.  Each year, there are five Scholarships available for India, to support postgraduate study at Oxford.

    **For details of eligibility and how to apply, see the official Rhodes website: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk

    Although Wellesley seniors and...