Fellowships are amounts of money which are available to students for carrying out various kinds of projects, such as research, internships, or public service projects.  

There is no official distinction between fellowship and scholarship. The terms are often used interchangeably. We refer to ourselves as the “fellowships office” to distinguish us from colleagues who help students to identify financial aid and scholarships for college. Fellowships often refer to postgraduate experiences and take many forms. Often, they are a long-term time commitment and a large amount of planning is required. Applications are usually due up to a year in advance.  

Fellowships typically support activities that support your goals, such as: 

• graduate study
• internships
• research
• public service projects
• language learning
• creative work  

Explore this website and experience.cornell.edu to find fellowship opportunities that match the goals you have for the future. 

• Visit our website and explore Advising Overview.
• Review the Fellowships Module of the Toolkit.
• Check Handshake for upcoming events and deadlines. 

Yes, but each fellowship has distinct eligibility requirements. Often these are based on: 

• the type of activity the fellowship supports
• your class year
• your academic standing
• the location you intend to carry out your project
• other criteria 

Eligibility requirements for specific fellowships can be found on the foundation’s website for the fellowship. Read these carefully before you begin an application and refer back to them as you develop your work.  

The eligibility requirements of each fellowship competition reflect the mission and goals of the foundations that fund them and thus support activities or experiences which the foundation has identified as important.  

Yes, there are many fellowships available to support research, language learning or further study after graduation. More information can be found in the Guide for Seniors. 

Yes, there are many fellowships available to support research, language learning or further study in the early stages of Cornellians’ professional careers. More information can be found in the Guide for Alumni. 

Not at all. Cornell’s experience has been that alumni have similar experiences as graduating seniors in applying for fellowships. In some cases, taking a year to work or pursue graduate study can help you define your objectives more clearly, and ultimately improve your applications.

Students from all majors have been awarded prestigious fellowships. What matters most is that you choose the major that most interests you—and that you excel in your coursework and research. Get to know your faculty and other mentors. Spend your time wisely: engage deeply with a small number of co-curricular or community activities, advancing to a leadership role or two. Learn your strengths, but seek to develop your weakness. Develop a global perspective. In short, take advantage of what your time at Cornell has to offer and you will be on your way to a bright future, regardless of the path you take after graduation.

Think about your goals, and consider what experiences would be valuable. Then investigate which fellowships speak to your interests. Some fellowships require high GPAs; others do not. Some fellowships require foreign language skills; others do not. Many fellowships value leadership, commitment to service, research experience, and having a bold and exciting vision for your future that would be bolstered by the fellowship experience. You are often a good fit for fellowships if you are excited by the possibilities, are willing to commit the time and energy into crafting a compelling application for any awards where you meet the eligibility requirements, and are excited about learning about yourself in the process.

The Office of National Fellowships Advising, located at 100 Barnes Hall, advises undergraduate students and alumni of Cornell University about fellowships and scholarships. Make an appointment with us! See how at the Advising Overview.

It depends. It is a good idea to begin planning applications at least a year before you intend to do the fellowship (for example, for an application for fellowship after graduation which is due in the fall of your senior year, start planning during the spring of your junior year). That’s also the time to attend information sessions about many fellowships.  

Some awards have early fall deadlines, so summer is a key time to be productive. If you plan ahead, you will be prepared to meet deadlines without rushing. Consider using the Summer Experience Grant to support you if you are looking for an unpaid or minimally paid opportunity that aligns with your goals. Consider applying for fellowships that occur during the summer months of your sophomore or junior year.  

Each fellowship is different, but it is a good idea to begin planning applications due in the fall of the next year during the spring of that year. That’s also the time to attend information sessions about fellowships. Some awards have early fall deadlines, so summer is a key time to be productive.

Yes, fellowship deadlines are firm.  In fairness to all applicants, the Office of National Fellowships Advising at Cornell and the national foundations that support fellowships cannot accept any applications past the deadline.   

It depends. Announcements of winners varies from fellowship to fellowship.  

Most awards are not deferrable. You should refer to the guidelines issued by the specific fellowship commission for details. 

It depends on your goals. Fellowships naturally fall into categories, meaning that certain fellowship applications (e.g., the Rhodes and Sachs Worcester) are relatively similar and do not require that you completely reinvent the wheel for each application. Ultimately, you’ll want to apply only for the number of awards for which you can genuinely craft strong and compelling applications by the deadlines. 

In some cases, you’ll find that the work you put into a personal statement or a project proposal is transferrable to another application, particularly if two opportunities in your field are similar. However, we do not advise that you “recycle” your written application materials. You may decide to apply to multiple awards that align with a similar vision for your future, but you should treat each application as its own microcosm.   

You can ultimately attend only one graduate program: so apply only to programs where you would be fulfilled. The same is true for fellowships: you can usually pursue only one fellowship at a time after graduation, and, unlike graduate school, most awards are not deferrable. So, apply only for opportunities you would accept and best align with your goals. 

Some fellowships have an upper limit to how much funding is awarded per student. Other fellowships award a fixed amount to each awardee each year. Fellowships which do not have an upper limit or do not award a fixed amount expect applicants to submit a well-researched, sensible and feasible budget as part of the application process. Be sure to keep track of which fellowships you applied to and your application materials. 

It depends. Your chances of winning a fellowship can be influenced by a number of factors, including:  

• Some fellowship funds have very limited funds but a large application pool.
• Some fellowships are very specific and have fewer applicants. 

The best plan of action is to: first, identify a fellowship which supports the activity you hope to undertake; then, put together a very strong, well-researched and carefully crafted fellowship application; finally, apply to as many fellowships as you and your project are eligible for, without spreading yourself too thinly.   

Some fellowships have a cap on how much funding is awarded per student. Other fellowships award a specific amount to each awardee each year. In either scenario, we recommend you prepare and submit a well-researched, sensible, and feasible budget with your application. 

The Office of National Fellowships Advising does not offer tax advice. However, in general, under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, most fellowship monies are considered taxable income. Certain fellowships are “qualified,” in which case specific portions of the funds awarded may be deductible. Fellowship recipients are advised to consult an accountant regarding the declaration of fellowship funds and to review carefully Chapter I of the IRS Publication 970 - Tax Benefits for Education. International students may reach out to International Services for additional resources. 

If your plans change completely before a fellowship award has been announced, and you no longer intend to carry out the project you outlined in your fellowship proposal, you can withdraw from fellowship competitions by informing the staff of the Office of National Fellowships Advising.  

If you have been awarded a fellowship and then your plans change in such a way that you no longer intend to carry out the project for which you were awarded the fellowship, you must inform the staff of the Office of National Fellowships Advising as soon as possible. You will need to decline or return the award so that the funds can be reallocated to another short-listed applicant. 

• You may only submit one application to each individual fellowship.  

• It is not recommended that you submit applications for more than three different projects. 

• It is recommended that, your schedule allowing, you consider as many fellowships as you and your project are eligible for, without spreading yourself too thinly.   

The Office of National Fellowships Advising aims to support your development over the course of the application cycle and your Cornell career so that even if you do not get the fellowship you intended, you will have learned something about yourself and your goals through the process of applying. In other words, the application process is beneficial whatever the outcome. Many applicants are successful on second tries, and Cornell has supported those applicants.

Visa requirements vary by host country and country of citizenship. It is your responsibility to determine if you will need a visa. Some helpful resources include: 

• Global Cornell 

• International Services 

More information about passports can be found at Global Cornell.  

There are many fellowship opportunities available to international students, such as Rhodes, Schwarzman, Chevening Gates Cambridge and several more. Consult the applications for specific information on eligibility. More information can be found in the Guide for International Students.