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Graduate Scholarships, Fellowships, Assistantships and Awards

Saint Louis University’s Office of Graduate Education has multiple scholarship, fellowship and assistantship opportunities for new and returning graduate education students.

You can also find external funding opportunities via Handshake, SLU's career and job database.

Student Financial Services

Scholarship and Awards

Edward L. and Rhelda Marbry Morgan, Ph.D. Endowed Book Fund Award

The Morgan Book Fund Award provides a book scholarship to graduate students at SLU for one academic year.

The fund benefits full-time master’s degree students studying American studies, biological sciences, communication, speech, language and hearing sciences, community health, English, health management and policy, mathematics, philosophy, physiological sciences, psychology, public health studies or theological studies.

Students will not be eligible if they have received the Morgan Book Fund Award in the past.

To apply for this award, go into Scholarship Suite in your mySLU tools and fill out the general application required questions. The award should then be posted in your recommended list with an "Apply" button.

Applications open Friday, March 1, 2024, and will close Sunday, March 31, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted.

If there are any issues submitting the application, please email Felicia C. Echols, academic affairs coordinator, at felicia.echols@slu.edu

Three-Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®)

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and master’s students. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. In addition, the competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. This year's competition will be in person.

History

The first 3MT competition was held at UQ in 2008, with 160 Research Higher Degree students competing. In 2009 and 2010, the 3MT competition was promoted in Australian and New Zealand universities, and a multinational event was developed, with an Inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT competition being held at UQ in 2010. Since 2011, the concept of cultivating students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills have increased, and 3MT competitions are now held in more than 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide.

Eligibility

Currently enrolled Ph.D., Professional Doctorate (Research), and master’s candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the presentation date are eligible to participate in the 3MT competition.

Rules

  • One single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. Slide transitions, animations, or ‘movement’ of any description of the slide content are prohibited.
  • The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
  • No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g., notecards, scripts, pointers, costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to three minutes (3:00) maximum, and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps, or songs).
  • Presentations should be executed from a stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter begins through movement or speech.
  • Submissions will be judged on comprehension, content, engagement, and communication. The decision of the judging panel is final.

Award

The following awards will be given for the doctorate and master’s categories:

  • 1st Place: $750*
  • 2nd Place: $500
  • 3rd Place: $250

*First place doctoral winner will be able to compete in the regional competition representing Saint Louis University in March 2024.

The registration to present will open on Monday, December 4, 2023, and close on Monday, February 12, 2024. The in-person competition will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. 

Late registrations will not be accepted. Please click on the Three-Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®) link to register: https://form.jotform.com/232884079641162

If you have questions, please contact Felicia C. Echols, academic affairs coordinator – graduate education at felicia.echols@slu.edu.

Fellowships 

Dissertation Fellowships

The Saint Louis University Dissertation Fellowship is competitively awarded to Saint Louis University Ph.D. candidates whose work, during their time at Saint Louis University, demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and whose dissertation will significantly extend the body of knowledge within their discipline. Students interested in being nominated should contact their department or Ph.D. mentor.

Each 11-month fellowship award carries a stipend of $29,500, 12 hours of tuition scholarship depending on the number of dissertation hours needed to reach the required 12, and health insurance. Summer attendance is mandatory. No other fellowship, traineeship, assistantship, similar appointment, or employment at the University or outside may be held concurrently with this fellowship.

To be eligible for this award, you must:

  • Have passed your doctoral oral exams and advanced to candidacy.
  • Be nominated by the department.
  • Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and a proposed dissertation that will significantly extend the body of knowledge within your discipline.
  • Preference will be given to those applicants who have completed their prospectus the prior spring, summer or fall.

Submissions will only be accepted from the department. Please contact your department to complete the Dissertation Fellowship Application Packet. Department nominations are due by Monday, December 18, 2023. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Download the Dissertation Fellowship Application Packet

Diversity Fellowships

The Saint Louis University Diversity Fellowships are awarded to newly accepted master’s or doctoral students, or to students in the first year of a program who have a history of outstanding academic achievement, who espouse a commitment to diversity in their discipline, and whose research trajectory and professional goals have the potential for impact in their field.

Each 11-month fellowship award carries a $29,500 stipend, 18 hours of tuition scholarship during the regular academic year and three hours during the summer session, and continuous health insurance coverage. Summer attendance is mandatory. No other fellowship, traineeship, assistantship, similar appointment, or employment at the University or outside may be held concurrently with this fellowship. For more information regarding expectations and responsibilities, please read the Diversity Fellowship Expectations and Responsibilities for Recipients and Programs (PDF)

The award is for a maximum of two years for a master's degree recipient and four years for a doctoral degree recipient.

To be eligible for this award, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or DACA recipient.
  • Be accepted as a classified (degree-seeking) graduate student at Saint Louis University.
  • Be a new masters or doctoral student (an applicant may have been enrolled for no more than one semester previously in the degree program).

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Outstanding Scholastic Achievement to date
    As evidenced in success in previous degrees and current programs (if applicable) as well as faculty observations about student work
  • Commitment to Promoting Diversity in the Discipline
    As evidenced in diversity-related work in the discipline, potential to provide leadership for diversity in the discipline, or other factors identified by the department that contribute to the discipline’s goal of diversity
  • Future Scholarly Impact for the Field
    As evidenced in clear and specialized goals that suggest a promising research trajectory that will have a potential impact on the field

Any student who wishes to be considered for Saint Louis University’s Diversity or Presidential graduate fellowships must submit an essay with their application for the fellowship. Instructions for the content of this essay are outlined in the application link.

Applications will open on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, and close on Friday, January 19, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted. Please click on the Diversity Fellowship Application link to apply: https://form.jotform.com/232883738443163

If you have questions, please contact Felicia C. Echols, academic affairs coordinator – graduate education at felicia.echols@slu.edu .

Presidential Fellowships

The Saint Louis University Presidential Fellowships are awarded to newly accepted master’s or doctoral students, or to students in the first year of a program who have a history of outstanding academic achievement, who demonstrate potential to contribute to the University mission, and whose research trajectory and professional goals have the potential for impact in their field.

Each 11-month fellowship award carries a $29,500 stipend, 18 hours of tuition scholarship during the regular academic year and three hours during the summer session, and continuous health insurance coverage. Summer attendance is mandatory. No other fellowship, traineeship, assistantship, similar appointment, or employment at the University or outside may be held concurrently with this fellowship.  For more information regarding expectations and responsibilities, please read the Presidential Fellowship Expectations and Responsibilities for Recipients and Programs (PDF).

The award is for a maximum of two years for a master's degree recipient and four years for a doctoral degree recipient.

To be eligible for this award, you must:

  • Be accepted as a classified (degree-seeking) graduate student at Saint Louis University.
  • Be a new masters or doctoral student (an applicant may have been enrolled for no more than one semester previously in the degree program).

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Outstanding Scholastic Achievement to date
    As evidenced in success in previous degrees and current programs (if applicable) as well as faculty observations about student work
  • Potential to Contribute to the University Mission 
    As evidenced in the candidate's articulation of a connection to the mission, mission-related work, and/or work congruent with the mission
  • Future Scholarly Impact for the Field 
    As evidenced in clear and specialized goals that suggest a promising research trajectory that will have a potential impact in the field

Any student who wishes to be considered for Saint Louis University’s Diversity or Presidential graduate fellowships must submit an essay with their application for the fellowship. Instructions for the content of this essay are outlined in the application link.

Applications will open on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, and close on Friday, January 19, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted. Please click on the Diversity Fellowship Application link to apply: https://form.jotform.com/232883738443163

If you have questions, please contact Felicia C. Echols, academic affairs coordinator – graduate education at felicia.echols@slu.edu .

For more information about any of the fellowships offered through the Office of Graduate Education, contact Felicia C. Echols, academic affairs coordinator, at felicia.echols@slu.edu.

Graduate Assistantships

Saint Louis University offers three categories of graduate assistantships. They may be dependent upon the degree level, the field of study and the length of the appointment.

These awards typically include tuition scholarships during the nine-month academic year. Recipients also receive a stipend, health insurance, and extended library privileges. Assistants spend no more than 20 hours per week performing assistantship duties.

The majority of graduate assistantships are awarded by the department or program to which you have been admitted. If you checked the appropriate box on your application and have been accepted as a classified degree-seeking student, contact your department to inquire if an additional application and/or interview is needed.

February 1 is the recommended deadline for most departmental assistantship applications. Additional assistantships are available across the Saint Louis University campus. Interested students should apply directly to the administrative office or center.

The types of assistantships available include:

Graduate Assistant

Performs duties that are not primarily teaching or research. These may include clinical or administrative responsibilities that are inherently related to your educational and career objectives.

Graduate Teaching Assistant

May work with students in small groups, lead group discussions, monitor examinations and grade papers, help prepare lectures, conduct laboratory sessions, or even be responsible for a course as the primary instructor. Under the close supervision of the faculty, the teaching assistant concurrently develops teaching skills and a deeper understanding of the discipline.

Graduate Research Assistant

May be appointed in a department with funding from within the school or by the principal investigator of an externally funded research project. In either case, the student is assigned a range of duties such as library searches, fieldwork, laboratory experiences, and preparation of research proposals and grants, gaining professional skills in research that complement their graduate education.

Funding Opportunities 

Funder Opportunity Deadline
SLU University Honors Graduate Assistantship  March 1, 2024
SLU

Reinert Center Graduate Assistantship
     Call for Applications
     GA Job Description
     Chair Approval Form

March 25, 2024
AAUW American Fellowships  Ongoing
NAGAP Graduate Student Enrollment Management Research Grant Ongoing
WATER Water Institute Graduate Research Fellowship February 1, 2023
Students can also find external funding opportunities at the Career Services website via Handshake, SLU's career and job database.