Below you will find various external scholarships/fellowships for graduate study. The sources of funding are awarded to either prospective or current graduate students. These awards offer various funding amounts and other possible benefits to assist in paying for graduate education. See below for scholarship descriptions, benefits, and basic eligibility.
To learn more about deadlines and how to apply, visit our listing of graduate student external awards in the Panther Scholarship Portal. If you have any questions about the listed scholarships, contact Riley Harrison in the UWM Graduate School.
Future Graduate Students
Students can begin applying to the following opportunities in their junior or senior year of undergraduate study.
Current Graduate Students
Students who have already begun their graduate studies may apply to the following opportunities.
Fulbright Study/Research Award
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program focuses on expanding cross-cultural dialogue and perspectives through education and professional development. More than 140 countries are part of the program, offering opportunities to students of any major or degree. Students can apply to pursue graduate study, research, or teach English abroad. Requirements can vary depending on the host country.
- Stipend based on the cost of living in the host country
- Accident and sickness health benefits
- 24/7 support line
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility hiring status for U.S. government positions
- U.S. citizen or national
- Must have a bachelor’s degree before the award start date
- Meet the language requirements of the award
Harry S. Truman Scholarship
The Truman Scholarship is a memorial to the thirty-third president that awards merit-based scholarships to college students. This scholarship application is open to third-year undergraduate students planning to pursue a career in government or public service. The foundation broadly defines public service to include a wide variety of fields.
- $30,000 toward a public service-related graduate degree
- Participation in Truman Scholars Leadership Week
- Eight-week summer institute in Washington, D.C.
- Truman-Albright and Other Fellows Program: opportunity to stay in D.C. for a year in a public service job
- Full-time third-year undergraduate student
- Upper quarter of your class
- U.S. citizen or national
- Must be nominated by the campus Truman Scholarship Faculty Representative
James Madison Fellowship
James Madison Fellowships were created by Congress to honor Madison by providing support for master’s degrees focusing on the U.S. Constitution. Applicants compete only against other applicants from the states of their legal residence. As funding permits, the Foundation plans to offer one fellowship per state per year.
- Maximum of $24,000 toward a master’s degree
- Summer Institute on the Constitution held in Washington, D.C.
- Must plan to become a teacher of American history, government, or civics, teaching topics on the Constitution (grades 7-12)
- U.S. citizen
- Receive a bachelor’s degree no later than Aug. 31 of the application year
Marshall Scholarship
Marshall Scholarships provide funding for U.S. citizens to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom. Up to fifty scholars directly engage with Britain through academic programs that contribute to intellectual and personal growth by building connections and becoming advocates for UK-US relations.
- Study in the UK for up to two years with coverage of university fees and cost of living expenses
- Annual book grant and thesis grant
- Research and travel grants
- Fares to and from the United States
- When applicable, a contribution towards the support of a dependent spouse
- U.S. citizen
- Hold a first undergraduate degree from a 4-year college by September 2027
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7
- Have not studied for or hold a degree from a British University, GCSE, or A Levels taken at a UK school
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The NSF GRFP is for outstanding students pursuing full-time, research-based master’s and doctoral degrees. The fellowship program was created in 1952 to help ensure the quality and strength of science and engineering fields. The program provides funding for three years of support for graduate-level research.
- Three years of graduate-level research support
- $37,000 stipend each year
- $16,000 education payment allowance each year
- U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident (green-card holder)
- Must be one of the following:
- Undergraduate in the final year of a bachelor’s degree program
- First-year graduate student in the first graduate program with less than a year of completed study
- Bachelor’s degree holder with no enrollment in a graduate program
- Enrolled in a bachelor’s/master’s joint program with at least three undergraduate years completed
- Research fields eligible: STEM, Psychology, Social/Behavioral/Economic Sciences
- Undergrad research experience is recommended
Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi fellowship program was established in 1932 to provide funding to first-year graduate students across all disciplines. Students must be members of the honor society to apply for the fellowship. Each Phi Kappa Phi chapter nominates one candidate each year.
- Award ranges from $8,500 to $35,000
- Active Phi Kappa Phi member
- Seeking full-time enrollment in a graduate/professional degree program
- Have not completed more than 9 credits of graduate study in any field
Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award
The Love of Learning Award exists to help fund post-baccalaureate professional development. This includes graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, and travel related to teaching/researching/learning.
- $1,000 award to fund post-baccalaureate professional development, including:
- Graduate or professional studies
- Doctoral dissertations
- Continuing education
- Career development
- Travel related to teaching/research/learning
- Active Phi Kappa Phi member
- Completed bachelor’s degree studies by the application deadline
- Have not received a Fellowship, Dissertation Fellowship, or Award of Excellence Grant
Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship fully funds students from around the world to study at Oxford University. The scholarship is merit-based and promotes leadership development and international understanding through a community of scholars. Rhodes Scholars can apply to most Oxford courses to study for two or more years.
- Covers University of Oxford course fees
- Annual stipend
- Covers student visa and International Health Surcharge fees
- Two economy class flights to and from the UK for the beginning and end of studies at Oxford
- U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or active DACA program status
- Ages 18-23 by the application deadline
- OR under the age of 27 by the application deadline (early October) if you completed your first undergraduate degree during/after October of the previous year. (For example: 26 years old on the application deadline date and completed an undergraduate degree within the prior year.)
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7