A fellowship program provides funding to select candidates who meet the program’s criteria for academics, research, or other purposes. Many fellowships are linked to specific schools or disciplines, but there are also numerous non-academic fellowship opportunities. A fellowship program can help a gifted individual pursue their educational, career, or intellectual goals while reducing their financial burden.
A specific school or program usually offers institutional fellowships. These fellowships vary by school and may require students to study a specific subject, come from a particular racial, cultural, or economic background, or demonstrate exceptional merit in some way. Because only current and incoming students are allowed to apply, institution-based fellowship programs are often less competitive than national or widespread fellowship programs. Multiple fellowship programs are more likely to be offered at private universities, which are usually funded by alumni or private donors. A school or a school-based donor’s fellowship usually covers part or all of the tuition for a semester or year, but it may also cover living expenses.
Fellows in a subject-based fellowship program must plan to study or pursue a specific field. This could include deciding on a major, such as economics, drama, or marine biology. Individuals who intend to pursue a research project in accordance with the donor’s interests may also be eligible for subject-based fellowships. A non-profit environmental foundation, for example, might award a yearly fellowship to an applicant who is attempting to complete a research project aimed at improving the safety of marine wildlife.
A fellowship program can have a variety of other connotations, most of which are related to higher education. Fellowship programs are often used to provide advanced training to qualified doctors who are pursuing a specialty. All postgraduate students may be considered “fellows” at some schools, though this may or may not have an impact on tuition and requirements. A business or laboratory may also offer a fellowship program as a means of advanced training for a few select applicants. This type of fellowship usually includes a monetary payment in exchange for work, which is referred to as a “stipend.”
Finding a fellowship program can be a valuable way to fund your higher education. With fewer government postgraduate programs available, students frequently find themselves unable to achieve the highest levels of education in their fields without assistance. Many excellent fellowship databases can be found by searching the Internet; if a person plans to attend a specific university or work for a specific company, it may also be worthwhile to inquire about in-house fellowship programs.