GEM Consortium
As a university member of the GEM Consortium, we partner with industry leaders to provide GEM fellows in eligible STEM fields with internships and financial support for graduate study.
Fellowships for New Students
Newly admitted students who will begin their graduate program in the upcoming fall semester are eligible for supplemental funding through these awards.
Open to prospective and current doctoral and MFA students, this program prepares underrepresented ethnically diverse students to become professors.
Presidential Fellows are part of an engaged community of scholars pursuing doctoral
and MFA degrees across a wide range of academic disciplines.
Learn more
These one-time (non-renewable) awards are given to graduate students in memory of individuals who influenced particular fields of study and the University of South Carolina during their lifetimes.
Fellowships for Continuing Students
Current students are eligible for additional funding through these fellowships.
Open to prospective and current doctoral and MFA students, this program prepares underrepresented
ethnically diverse students to become professors.
These one-time (non-renewable) awards are given to graduate students in memory of individuals who influenced particular fields of study and the University of South Carolina during their lifetimes.
The Graduate School - Graduate Student Awards
Current or graduated students are eligible for these annual $1000 merit awards.
The Dean’s Award for Doctoral Achievement is awarded to one doctoral student who demonstrates overall excellence in research, teaching, and service.
The Dean’s Award for Master’s Achievement is awarded to one master’s student who demonstrates overall excellence in research, teaching, and service.
The Outstanding Dissertation Award is presented to individuals who have completed dissertations representing original work that makes a significant contribution to the discipline. Individuals awarded are nominated for the national CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award. Thus, our award categories parallel the CGS/ProQuest categories. In 2025, the categories are (1) Biological and Life Sciences and (2) Humanities and Fine Arts.
The Outstanding Community Engagement Award is awarded to any graduate student who demonstrates substantial impact and engagement related to community service, social advocacy, civic engagement, and/or volunteer opportunities conducted between the summer of 2025 and the spring 2026 academic semesters.
The Outstanding Research Award is awarded to one graduate student who conducted research during the 2025-26 academic year that is vital to their academic discipline and society at large.
The Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award is awarded to any graduate student who has shown themselves to be an exceptional graduate instructor or instructional assistant.
Awards and Fellowships Across Campus and Beyond
Admitted and current students are encouraged to explore funding opportunities with campus partners and external organizations.
SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program
The goal of the Southern Regional Education Board Doctoral Scholars Program is to increase the number of students who earn doctorates and choose to become faculty at colleges and universities. We partner with the SREB Doctoral Scholars Program to provide full tuition abatement and stipend support for selected fellows. Two types of awards are available: one for students applying in the first year of their doctoral program and one for students entering their final year of dissertation work.
College & Department Fellowships
The college or school that houses your program can be a good place to find generous fellowships. In most cases, students must be nominated by their department to qualify. Ask in particular about teaching fellowships and dean's fellowships.
National Fellowships and Scholar Programs
Assists graduate students striving to earn nationally prestigious fellowships by educating them on application cycles, alerting them to deadlines and resources and supporting them throughout the application process.
The Office of the Vice President for Research
Supports research innovation and the scholarly and creative activities of our graduate students and faculty.