Fellowships, Awards and Scholarships

The Graduate School offers a number of fellowships and awards, all of which are competitively awarded. Awards recognize excellence in research, scholarship, and/or artistry. Fellowships provide financial support and opportunities for research and academic growth.

Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Awards

Awarded annually to the best theses and dissertations among students whose degrees were awarded in the previous year.

Outstanding Graduate Student Awards

Awarded annually to one individual from each degree program to recognize excellence in the area of research, scholarship or artistry.

Dissertation Completion Fellowships

Provides doctoral students one-year of fellowship support to complete their dissertations. Full-time fellowships carry stipends and a tuition waiver; part-time fellowships offer a tuition waiver only. The call for nominations, application form and criteria are usually made available in early December with awards starting in the following fall semester. 

Great Journeys Assistantships

Supports graduate students with graduate research assistantships mentored by faculty pursuing external funding for research projects.

Rhoten S. Smith Graduate Assistantships

The Rhoten A. Smith Graduate Assistantship Program supports inclusive excellence and access to graduate education for  students who bring a broad range of experiences, abilities, perspectives, backgrounds and talents to our scholarly community. Departments awarding Rhoten Smith Graduate Assistantships provide graduate students with enhanced professional development and mentored applied learning experiences in teaching, research and/or administrative activities related to students’ fields of study.

Scholarships

NIU has a wide variety of scholarships available. Check MyScholarships to browse and learn more.