Stipend Amount

These awards consist of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend (paid monthly, starting in Fall 2019). Departments may couple the fellowship with a partial or full assistantship.

Duration of the Award

Recipients of the JF and the HF are eligible for up to five years of fellowship support. Recipients of the CF are eligible for two years of fellowship support, except for recipients who applied to and are accepted in an MFA program. Recipients of the CF in an MFA program are eligible for three years of fellowship support. Students may elect to defer one or more years of support for which they are eligible, but the award must be used within the usual time limits for a degree (8 years for PhD, 6 years for master’s).

Eligibility for the Award

JF and HF awards are available only to students in Doctoral programs who have been nominated by the department to which they are applying. CF awards are available only to students in Master’s programs who have been nominated by the department to which they are applying. To maintain their eligibility for the award, students must enroll full-time and must maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Because the JF, HF, and CF awards are intended to enhance recruitment of outstanding young scholars to the University of Connecticut, they are intended primarily for incoming students who have received or are earning degrees at other institutions. Current University of Connecticut students are eligible for the awards, but only when the nominating department or program can make a strong case that the nominee is an outstanding scholar who is likely to be recruited by a peer or aspirant institution.

Award Criteria

Recipients of these fellowships will be the most academically promising members of the entering class of graduate students at the University of Connecticut. The criteria used to select recipients include the following:

• Evidence of scholarly or creative achievement highlighted by the department or program in their nomination and evidence that the department or program provides the environment necessary for success in the areas of interest highlighted by the applicant.
• Evidence of any prior scholarly or creative achievement by the nominee, e.g., publications, presentations, exhibits, performances.
• Evidence that the nominee has been successful at previous academic institutions, e.g., letters of recommendation.
• Quantitative evidence of academic accomplishment, e.g., undergraduate grade point average, GRE/GMAT (when available).
  • Please note that GRE scores are not required for consideration for the fellowship.

Additional information regarding diversity commitment for HF and CF awards

Nominees for HF and CF awards are expected to demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity either within their field of study or more generally in all areas of higher education.

Students can demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity in higher education through participation in organizations or activities that (a) directly relate to increasing access to higher education and retention in higher education of individuals, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, cultural background, religion, or beliefs or (b) that help to ensure that individuals are welcomed and included in higher education environments regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, cultural background, religion, or beliefs. Such organization and activities might include participation/affiliation with TRIO programs, cultural/affinity organizations/centers, volunteer experiences, and college or university committees focused on these goals. Students provide evidence of this commitment through research and educational experience reflected on their CV/resume (articles, presentations, internship, and research experience), in their personal statement, or in letters of recommendation.