Where to begin?
- Explore all sections of the Fellowships@URI website to see the resources available to you!
- Think of your own academic interests, your career, and your future. What led you to choose your major(s)? What topics would you like to explore? Where do you see yourself after you graduate? Self-reflection and curiosity are key to exploring and applying for fellowships!
- Understand the awards. Certain opportunities require nomination – known as Endorsed Opportunities – while other opportunities you can apply to directly.
Most Endorsed Opportunities will require a preliminary application as URI can only nominate a specific number of students. In short, you would be applying for URI’s nomination rather than the award itself initially. Therefore, many of these Endorsed Opportunities have a campus deadline earlier than the national deadline. For Endorsed Opportunities, we recommend students begin working on their application 3-6 months or more prior to the campus deadline. The year you apply is often determined by the time left until your graduation.
Students may apply directly to awards which do not require URI’s nomination. We encourage students to work with Fellowships@URI on these applications as we will support you as you craft and revise your applications.
- Identify the opportunities for you. Look through the Fellowships page to determine relevant Endorsed Opportunities of interest as well as use the Fellowship Finder to see direct-apply awards. As every award has unique eligibility requirements – citizenship, field of study, GPA minimum, duration, when you can apply, financial-need, and more – read the award description carefully and apply the Fellowship Finder filters so you determine and understand your eligibility, the deadline, and the necessary application components and processes.
Fellowships@URI will be hosting both general and award-specific info sessions and workshops to help you learn more about eligibility and application process as well as address your specific questions. Visit our Calendar to see upcoming events.
We encourage you to Subscribe to our newsletter ‘Fellowships Friday’ where we share application tips, alumni stories, and upcoming deadlines. We will send out one ‘Fellowships Friday’ every other month so do not worry about these being spam ☺
By subscribing to the newsletter, you will also be able to indicate your interest in specific fellowships where we will send out tailored information about those deadlines and workshops!
- Apply to the award(s)! If you haven’t already done so, attend an award-specific info session or workshop, and create a plan and timeline for assembling your application materials.
Determine your reference letter, or recommendation letter writers early. Think of reference letter writers who can speak best to your abilities as relating to your application, and reach out to them to discuss your application. You should give your recommenders a minimum of 1 month before the deadline to craft their letters.
Your essays are the core of your application. Read the prompts carefully and outline your responses. This will help form your initial draft.
Interviews may be required. Schedule a mock interview with Fellowships@URI and we can assist you in making sure you are ready!
We also recommend reaching out to alumni to learn more about their own experiences and discuss strategies on how they created a winning application. Use LinkedIn to make these connections and network with alums.
Have questions? You are welcome to contact Fellowships@URI!