{"id":22982,"date":"2017-06-20T09:44:57","date_gmt":"2017-06-20T13:44:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/?page_id=22982"},"modified":"2026-06-26T11:57:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:57:14","slug":"aid-for-phd-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/admissions\/phd-mfa\/fellowship-aid\/aid-for-phd-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Aid for PhD Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) awards various types of fellowship aid to PhD students.\u00a0 Newly admitted domestic and international PhD students are eligible to receive up to five years of fellowship funding from Boston University. This five-year period starts at matriculation and expires at the conclusion of the fifth year in the PhD program (or at graduation, whichever is sooner).\u00a0 The fellowship funding is contingent upon the PhD student maintaining Good Academic Conduct, maintaining Good Academic Standing, and making Satisfactory Academic Progress, as defined by the department and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.<\/p>\n

This fellowship funding includes a full tuition scholarship for courses required by the PhD degree, mandatory student services and student wellness fees, a credit towards the basic Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) premium during semesters with full stipend funding; and a living stipend as described in the admission offer letter.<\/p>\n

The type of stipend funding may be a combination of a training fellowship (such as a Dean’s Fellowship or Dissertation Fellowship), teaching fellowship, or doctoral research fellowship, depending on the department of admission.\u00a0 It is contingent on, among other things, the continued availability of funding to support the PhD student’s work.\u00a0 Detailed information about the fellowship awards and the policies and privileges associated with each award can be found below.<\/p>\n

Effective October 16, 2024<\/strong> until August 31, 2027<\/strong>, teaching and research fellow positions are governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiated between Boston University and the Boston University Graduate Workers\u2019 Union (BUGWU)\/Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 509.\u00a0 The BUGWU Collective Bargaining Agreement<\/a><\/strong> sets forth some of the your rights and responsibilities as a member of this bargaining unit.<\/p>\n

For additional fellowship information such as the current stipend rate, please refer to our PhD & MFA Fellowship FAQs<\/strong><\/a>.

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PhD Fellowships<\/span><\/h3>\n

Research Fellowships (Service)<\/h4>
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Doctoral Research Fellowships provide a stipend and scholarship for exceptionally qualified students in return for research work done for the department.\u00a0 Your obligation in this fellowship will include research duties assigned by your department that total 20 hours per week<\/strong>.\u00a0 All Research Fellows must be in residence<\/strong> for the entire semester and also complete course\/lab preparation\/wrap-up activities such as updating course\/lab materials, refreshing content, or course\/lab assessment activities, etc. within the standard semesterly employment start and end dates (refer to: Residency Requirement<\/a><\/strong>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Teaching Fellowships (Service)<\/h4>
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A Teaching Fellowship provides a stipend and a full scholarship and an opportunity for graduate students to gain classroom experience under the close supervision of the faculty members who have the formal responsibility for the courses to which the teaching fellows are assigned. Your obligation in this fellowship would include instructional duties assigned by your department. Instructional and other duties total 20 hours per week<\/strong>.\u00a0 All Teaching Fellows must be in residence<\/strong> for the entire semester and also complete course\/lab preparation\/wrap-up activities such as updating course\/lab materials, refreshing content, or course\/lab assessment activities, etc. within the standard semesterly employment start and end dates (refer to: Residency Requirement<\/a><\/strong>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Training Fellowships (Non-Service)<\/h4>
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Non-service Training Fellowships provide a stipend and scholarship for exceptional students to focus primarily on their degree coursework with no departmental research or teaching responsibilities.\u00a0 Students awarded Training Fellowships are required to enroll in a full load of academic courses as determined by the department.\u00a0 Examples:<\/p>\n