Schimke and Shackford Graduate Fellowships (women graduates of any US institution)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Wellesley College offers a number of fellowships and scholarships for graduate study or research open to seniors and graduates of Wellesley. Two of these awards are also open to women graduates of any American institution. The Mary McEwen Schimke Scholarship is a supplemental award to provide relief from household and child care expenses while pursuing graduate study, and the M.A. Cartland Shackford Medical Fellowship is for the study of medicine with a view to general practice, not psychiatry.

    “I will be the first doctor in my family and the first to attend graduate school with the gift of the Sarah Perry Wood Medical Fellowship.”

    Beinecke Scholarship Program (juniors)

    Kate Dailinger
    Kate Dailinger

    Supports two years of graduate study at a university in the US or abroad for those aiming to pursue degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Eligible are US citizens and nationals who are current juniors. Campus application deadline typically in January.

    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.

      “In order to make changes in laws and policies, we need to have data on our side. We need to be able to make a case that shows a causal link between misinformation online and the erosion of democracy.”

      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.

      Fulbright Program (rising seniors & graduates)

      Kate Dailinger
      Kate Dailinger

      Supports a year (or occasionally more) of study or research abroad in any discipline, or year-long English teaching assistantships (ETAs) abroad in programs designed by the host countries. Eligible are graduating seniors and graduates who are US citizens. Campus application deadline for Wellesley students and graduates typically in August.

      Marshall Scholarship (rising seniors & graduates)

      Kate Dailinger
      Kate Dailinger

      Supports one or two years of study in any discipline at a university in the United Kingdom. Eligible are graduating seniors and recent gradiates who are US citizens. Campus application deadline for Wellesley's endorsement typically in August.

      Churchill Scholarships (seniors & graduates)

      Kate Dailinger
      Kate Dailinger

      Supports one year of graduate study (including one-year research degrees) in science, mathematics, or engineering at Cambridge. Eligible: graduating seniors and recent graduates of Wellesley College who are US citizens with majors in appropriate STEM fields. Campus application deadline typically in early October.

      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.

      Mitchell Scholarship (rising seniors & graduates)

      Kate Dailinger
      Kate Dailinger

      *As of March, 2024, the Mitchell Scholarship has paused the selection of new Scholars. There will be no new class selected in autumn 2024, but they hope in future to be able to re-open this award.

      Supports one year of study in any discipline at a university in Ireland. Eligible are graduating seniors and graduates who are US citizens between the ages of 18 and 30. Campus application deadline for seniors (who must seek institutional nomination) typically in August; graduates apply directly for the Mitchell but are very welcome to seek application advice from Wellesley's Fellowships office.

      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.

      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.

      Apr 1, 2024

      Quad Fellowship - direct application deadline

      Eligibility: applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application be citizens or legal permanent residents of Australia, India, Japan, the United States, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam; have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a STEM field by August 2024; and have a demonstrated record of superior academic achievement at the undergraduate level. If applicants are currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD program, they may apply if they will be enrolled in a qualified academic program during their time as a Fellow (i.e., August 2024 - May 2025)

      Research/Gradschool, International Student, Postgraduate

      The Quad Fellowship will sponsor 100 exceptional American, Japanese, Australian, and Indianas well as candidates from the ten ASEAN countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam for master’s and doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to study in the United States. The fellowship will develop a network of science and technology experts committed to advancing innovation and collaboration in the private, public, and academic sectors, in their own nations and among Quad countries. The...