Fellowships

There are many sources of funding for enhancing the educational experience at Yale. Some are merit-based while others may only be accessed by students who already are receiving financial aid. Others are distributed through Yale College while some come from specific centers and institutions on campus, including Silliman College.

The student grant database can be found here.

Students who want to keep up to date with the Fellowships Calendar can subscribe in Yale Connect: here.

It should be noted that the University limits how much funding can be allotted for the same project.  All submissions are  reviewed in an overlap meeting so as to monitor this limitation. Please prepare your budget wisely and make sure you are clear on the total funds needed (regardless of the individual fellowship cap). The University guidelines can be found here (https://funding.yale.edu/prepare-apply/creating-budget). 

Silliman Grants

For students applying to multiple grants within Silliman, you will ONLY hear about funded grants.  You will receive an email from the HoC office for Silliman-managed grants and from the Department/Fellowships office for outside Silliman grants. 

Mellon Research Grant

A limited number of Mellon Forum Research Grants are available for Silliman seniors to pursue research during the academic year under the supervisor of a Yale faculty member. Awardees are required to report on the results of their research either to the Mellon Forum or to another educational forum in the College. In addition, awardees must submit a written report to the Head of College Office on the work accomplished with the Mellon Research Grant.

Richter Summer Fellowship

The Richter Summer Fellowship is an award for independent study and research, not for general travel, work or enrollment in a school. Internships and participation in team research are eligible for this award only if the primary component is study or research.
 
Students who are interested in this award must complete the application, including a one-page proposal detailing your research project and a copy of your registration cover sheet from the Student Grant database. You should submit all items electronically on the Yale Student Grants and Fellowship site. Students must also sign and submit the Assumption of Risk Waiver Form for any international travel. International students must make sure that their paperwork is completed through Daysi Cardona in the Tax Department at (203) 432-5530 so that your check is not delayed. Students who are awarded fellowships will be expected to submit a brief written report to the Council of Heads of College at the beginning of the Fall term.
 

Additional Summer Fellowships

The Howard Topol Roberts, The Silliman Sherwood, and the George Shultz are additional grants available for summer research travel and fellowships.  The on-line application for these Silliman College Research Grants and their guidelines are available on the Yale Student Grants and Fellowship site.

Yale College Grants

Creative and Performing Arts Award (CPA Award)

The Creative and Performing Arts Award is administered by the Council of Heads of College. They support on-campus dramatic, musical, dance, video or film productions, literary publications, and exhibitions in each residential college. Productions must be held within the residential colleges, when feasible. Otherwise, they must take place on campus. Online guidelines and an application can be found here:  http://creativeandperformingarts.yale.edu/.  The treasurer of each project must be a member of the sponsoring college. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with the heads prior to submitting applications for CPA awards.

International Study Award (ISA)

The International Study Award (ISA), funded in part by donors, provides a stipend for one summer experience abroad for first-year students, sophomores, or juniors who receive financial aid. For summer 2026 ISA-eligible students could receive up to $16,100 in funding for eligible programs, proportional to their need and the cost of the program. Yale offers a number of its own summer and year or term abroad courses which can be found in the study abroad database. Students needing work or study visas, outside a Yale Study Abroad Program, should contact CIBT, a Yale-preferred visa processing service, which offers a discount for Yale students. The ISA may cover passport fees and other documentation needed for students to travel abroad.  
 
Eligible students can request an ISA only after they have submitted an application  and have been accepted to the intended summer study abroad program. Once accepted, students will have access to the (ISA) International Study Award request form as one of the required pre-departure forms in their study abroad account.
 

Summer Experience Award (SEA)

The Summer Experience Award is another gift-funded program that provides a stipend for either a domestic or international opportunity to first-years, sophomores, and juniors on Yale financial aid who have not used their SEA, previously. These experiences include unpaid or underfunded ($2,000 or less) summer opportunities in one of the following areas: a 501(c)(3) non-profit including non-profit universities; a government entity including public universities; a non-governmental organization (NGO); an arts apprenticeship; or a science, laboratory, or other research position. Stipends are awarded in amounts of $4,000 for domestic opportunities and $6,000 for international opportunities.
 
Interested students should log in through their Yale Career Link Account, choose “Professional Experience” and then add “Add New Experience.” Students with questions can email sea@yale.edu. Relevant information and due dates can be found on the OCS website.
 

The Science, Technology, and Research Scholars Program (STARS)

The Science, Technology and Research Scholars (STARS) Program, administered by the Yale College Dean’s Office, is designed to support women, minorities, economically underprivileged, and other historically underrepresented students in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Through the generosity of Yale donors, the STARS program provides undergraduates an opportunity to combine course-based study, research, mentorship, networking, and career planning in the fields of science and technology. The program seeks to improve student performance and persistence rates in all STEM disciplines.
 
There are currently three components to the STARS Program: 
  1. The STARS I Program provides seminars, networking, mentorship, and professional development tailored for first-year undergraduates.
  2. The STARS Summer Research Program combines individual on-campus research with academic support and course credit.
  3. The STARS II Program supports individual student research beginning in the fall semester of the junior year, through the following summer, and both semesters of the senior year.
It should be noted that only STARS summer and STARS II come with funding and they require that the student successfully complete STARS I to be eligible. Students should connect with Donalee Slater at donalee.slater@yale.edu with any application questions.
 

Merit-Based Fellowships

The Office of Fellowships offers several subject and concentration-specific summer fellowships. Fellowships typically support purposeful activities that relate to students’ academic or career goals, such as internships, research, public service projects, and language learning. The Student Grants Database is home to all of the fellowship opportunities that may match the project a student is looking to undertake. 
First-semester seniors can apply for summer fellowships as long as they will be matriculated at Yale in either the fall or spring following the summer experience. There are also many fellowships available to support research, language learning, or further study after graduation. Students can learn more by searching the Student Grants Database.
 
The Office of Fellowships offers many in-person information sessions and workshops throughout the academic year and their website has several online information sessions. They also offer advisement for students who have more questions or need specific guidance on the application process. In addition, students can sign up for a 15-minute general advising appointment or a 30-minute appointment with an advisor.
 
It should be noted that Yale College Fellowships have eligibility requirements based on the preferences and interests of the generous donors who fund them. All students are eligible to apply and you can visit their site here for more information.
 

Office of Career Strategy (OCS) Professional Development Reimbursement

The OCS offers a reimbursement program for Yale juniors and seniors to help offset the costs associated with career related engagements, conferences, and travel for interviews/auditions. Air travel, ground transportation (i.e. subway, bus, shuttle, or taxi fares), car rental, parking fees, tolls, personal vehicle gas mileage costs, and other career-related expenses can be reimbursed. However, food purchases are not eligible for reimbursement.
 

1.    Log into ocs.yale.edu with your NetID

2.    Go to the Reimbursement Form and Complete All Sections (You must be logged in to access this form)

Visit the Professional Development Reimbursement Page of the OCS website for more details.

Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking

The Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale (Tsai CITY) serves students from across Yale’s campus through programs, funding, and mentoring. Students from all backgrounds tackle issues like climate change and civic engagement, develop creative projects from documentary films to digital platforms, and launch high-growth ventures and movements. All students are eligible to apply for funding through the Tsai CITY funding page.

Arts Funding

Linked here is a list of awards, fellowships, and funds available to undergraduate art-makers. All students who are enrolled in arts courses are eligible to apply. Each of Yale’s residential colleges also offers funding and students should contact their head of college office for information on those fellowships and awards.

Travel Costs for Faculty Led Ensembles

Students participating in a faculty-led tour can receive funding for specialized and required concert attire, instrument rental, instrumental accoutrements (reeds, valve oil, rosin, strings, sticks), music or other materials required for music lessons, social dues, costs related to field trips, and other ensemble costs.  

Students should contact the leader of their ensemble with requests for support.

Yale College Safety Net

Yale College Safety Net is supported by donor funded gifts designed to assist high-need students with emergency expenses that fall outside of the standard Unbilled Expenses/Student Share and other parts of the Cost of Attendance.
 
Yale College Safety Net offers assistance to high-need students in several areas, including but not limited to winter clothing, computers and technology, emergency travel costs in the event of bereavement or illness, course-based travel, and emergency medical expenses beyond insurance coverage, books and academic supplies, emergency medical insurance, commencement support for graduation, and other essential items.
All currently enrolled high-need Yale College students experiencing financial hardship are eligible for funding and can visit the application page for additional information. 
 

OISS Support for Visas

The Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) supports admitted students living outside of the United States apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. Undergraduate international students with high-need who do not receive a student visa sufficiently long enough in duration to cover their four years of study at Yale are eligible for support. Please note, though, that support is available for fees associated with visa renewal only, not for initial visa applications. Interested students should email their designated OISS adviser,  Daniel Riecker, with questions.