Graduate Information
Merit scholarships
The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences offers merit-based scholarships to competitive incoming master’s students. Please note, no separate application is required. If you are selected for an award, you will be notified at the time of your admission.
BU fellowships
Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship
Boston University annually awards a limited number of Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowships to outstanding incoming graduate students who are committed to the social justice principles espoused by Dr. King. Candidates are nominated by the department of admission. To be considered for this fellowship, a student should be in contact with the department of admission to request nomination, and provide to the department a statement describing his or her accomplishments in and commitment to social justice and community involvement. The deadline for nomination is February 15.
For more details, please click here.
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Fellowship
Boston University annually awards the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Fellowship in recognition of the outstanding contributions made by Whitney M. Young, Jr., particularly in the fields of social work, urban studies, and Afro-American Studies. The deadline is February 15.
For more information and an application, please click here.
Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
The African Studies Center has a limited amount of funding for graduate students in the form of Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships. More information can be found with the African Studies Center.
For further information on internal funding sources, please see BU Fellowships for Graduate Students.
External fellowships & scholarships
There are external sources of financial support for which you as a Graduate School of Arts & Sciences student may be eligible. These tend to be extremely competitive, and because applications must be submitted as much as a year in advance, you should investigate early and plan ahead, keeping in mind that many deadlines are in the fall. Department chairs receive copies of current award opportunities that are received by the Dean’s Office, and you may also consult the University’s Student Resources page for more information and tips on applying for fellowship and scholarships.
National Science Foundation Fellowships
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the NSF Minority Graduate Fellowship are three-year fellowships open to those U.S. citizens who are at or near the beginning of their graduate study in science or engineering. These fellowships provide a cost-of-education allowance and a stipend for living expenses. Applications are available online at the National Science Foundation. Deadlines depend on the proposed field of study or specialization.
GEM Fellowships
The GEM Fellowship offers resources to traditionally under-represented students pursuing an MS or PhD in science or engineering. The GEM Fellowship program provides access to the nation’s top Engineering and Science firms. The program was designed to focus on promoting opportunities in the industry at the high level technical careers and academia. GEM fellows are provided with practical summer work experiences through a GEM employer sponsor, as well as portable academic year fellowships of tuition, fees, and a stipend. BU is excited to be a GEM Member University so that our students can reach their full potential without financial barriers!
If you are interested in applying for a GEM Fellowship, now is the time— the application deadline is coming up on November 15!
IELTS USA Andrea Scott International Graduate Scholarship
IELTS has just announced the launch of a new scholarship program designed to support incoming international graduate students. The Andrea Scott International Graduate Scholarship awards a $5000 annual scholarship, renewable for a maximum of three years, to each recipient.
The scholarship is open to students who are matriculating in the fall and who share Andrea’s commitment to international education, a passion for globalization, creative arts, and equal rights initiatives.
Eligible applicants:
- Applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic score within the last 2 years (by the time of application deadline)
- Applicants must be admitted to an accredited U.S. college or university for a Fall 2023 start term.
- Applicants must be admitted and enroll in an Masters or Ph.D. program
- Applicants must qualify as an international student (hold at least one passport from a country other than the U.S.)
- Applicants must be studying one of the following areas of interest:
- Social justice
- Criminal justice reform
- Women’s rights/Women’s studies
- Creative arts
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Educational access and equity
- International Studies or International Policy
- Higher Education Leadership
If your aspirations and studies align with the scholarship criteria, we highly recommend you apply for consideration.
For further information on external funding sources, please see the University’s page on National Fellowships & Scholarships for Graduate Students.