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Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity

Number of Awards: Varies annually

Schedule: Online applications open in late August and close on January 15, 2026.

Type: Fellowship

Duration: Initial support may be for two or three years, or for a full six years, depending on the employer-sponsor. Fellowship renewal will be reviewed in partnership with employer-sponsor on an annual basis.

Amount: The charge to the employer for each student supported is $27,000 annually, of which $20,000 is the fellow’s expense allowance and $7,000 is GFSD’s fee to support its operations. (The charge is subject to change at the discretion of the GFSD Board of Directors.)

Fields of Study: Though the fields supported can vary annually depending on employer needs, in general GFSD covers the following: Astronomy, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Materials Science, Mathematical Sciences, Physics, and their subdisciplines, and related engineering fields: Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical.

Location or Type of Institution: Any participating GFSD University or College

Selection Process: GFSD employers select fellows based the following factors, not in order:

Whether the applicant’s field of study matches the employer’s needs
Undergraduate and graduate coursework and grades
Research experience at a university or in industry
Letters of recommendation from professors and employers. These can be decisive. The most effective letters are from persons who have supervised or observed the applicant’s participation in research.
The GRE General tests are optional but suggested; the Subject test is suggested and may be required by your university.

Using these criteria, employers review the pool of applicants and advise GFSD of which students the employer wishes to support. GFSD then makes the award.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must be accepted at a participating GFSD-member university or college and progress through a full-time study program leading to a graduate degree in the physical sciences or related engineering fields. Fellows must complete one or two summer internships, as the sponsoring employer requires. To continue in good standing, fellows must submit a transcript annually as well as any forms and information that GFSD requests. Fellows must perform satisfactorily in their summer internship and during the academic year. A fellow who switches his or her field of study to one not of interest to the sponsoring employer will likely have support terminated.

National Security Agency (NSA): Requires Fellows to pass a background investigation if interested in doing summer internships.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

GFSD supports high-potential STEM graduate students from underrepresented groups pursuing MS or PhD degrees in disciplines aligned with industry needs (engineering, computer science, physical sciences, life sciences, applied math, etc.), with a strong emphasis on industry relevance and workforce diversity.

1. Strong academic preparation and trajectory

Successful GFSD fellows typically show:

Solid undergraduate GPA (often upward-trending)

Strong performance in core STEM coursework

Evidence of readiness for graduate-level research or advanced technical work

Predictor: Demonstrated academic capability to succeed in a rigorous STEM graduate program.

2. Clear alignment with GFSD-supported STEM fields

GFSD prioritizes fields with:

High industry demand

Strong links to applied research, innovation, and technology development

Predictor: A graduate program and research direction that clearly fits GFSD’s target STEM disciplines and workforce goals.

3. Belonging to an underrepresented group in STEM

Eligibility and competitiveness are strongly tied to:

Applicants from groups historically underrepresented in STEM (as defined by GFSD)

First-generation students, women in certain STEM fields, and other underrepresented identities

Predictor: Clear eligibility and alignment with GFSD’s diversity mission (this must be explicitly stated, not assumed).

4. Commitment to increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM

Competitive applications go beyond eligibility and demonstrate:

Past involvement in outreach, mentoring, tutoring, advocacy, or service

Clear plans to continue contributing to diversity in STEM during and after graduate training

Predictor: Authentic, sustained engagement with diversity and inclusion—not just aspirational statements.

5. Strong personal statement with a coherent narrative

Successful applicants present a compelling story that connects:

Background and motivation

Academic preparation

Career goals

Commitment to diversity in STEM

Predictor: A clear, focused narrative showing resilience, purpose, and long-term impact.

6. Well-defined graduate goals with industry relevance

GFSD has strong ties to corporate partners. Strong applications:

Clearly explain how graduate training will lead to industry, applied research, or translational careers

Show awareness of real-world STEM challenges

Predictor: Career goals that align with GFSD’s industry-facing mission (not purely vague or unfocused academic goals).

7. High-quality letters of recommendation

Successful fellows usually have recommenders who:

Can speak specifically to technical ability and research potential

Comment on perseverance, leadership, and teamwork

Address readiness for graduate school

Predictor: Detailed, personalized letters from faculty or supervisors who know the applicant well.

8. Evidence of resilience and perseverance

GFSD reviewers value applicants who:

Have overcome structural, financial, or personal barriers

Demonstrate persistence in STEM pathways despite challenges

Predictor: Concrete examples of resilience and growth, not generic hardship statements.

Specialties

Anatomy

Biomedical Engineering

Eligibility Requirements

GFSD welcomes applications from any qualified U.S. citizen who has the ability to pursue graduate work at a GFSD university partners. Applicants at any stage of their graduate program may apply, as long as they will be available to accept two summers of paid internship. Those who already possess a doctoral degree are ineligible.

Employers may nominate GFSD fellows directly, obviating the selection process. These fellows may enroll for either a Master’s or a PhD degree.

Eligible Countries:

United States

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: USC – 837 Downey Way STO – Suite 113 Los Angeles, CA 90089

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