Funding Graduate Education

We recommend that prospective students submit applications and all supporting materials by December 15, since most financial support decisions are made shortly after that date. Qualified students will be automatically considered for financial awards; however, feel free to contact the program office regarding any of the opportunities below.

Click here for an online tool that will help you estimate the cost of your graduate education.

Financial Aid

For information about federal student aid, visit the Federal Student Aid website

Assistantships and Fellowships

A limited number of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships, and grants are available on a competitive basis. Graduate assistantship salaries vary with the terms of individual appointments. Graduate assistants receive tuition waiver coverage at double their appointment percentage; this means that a 50% research or teaching assistantship results in a 100% waiver of tuition. In addition, graduate assistants receive stipends and subsidized health insurance fees.

University-wide and Departmental Fellowships

Again, all qualified applicants who have their completed application materials submitted by December 15 will be considered for fellowships. In addition to the Natural Resources Science and Management Fellowship, applicants may be eligible for the following, administered through other units at the University of Minnesota:

Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship

The DOVE Fellowship is administered by the University of Minnesota's Graduate School Diversity Office. This fellowship is awarded to first-year students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents only) from traditionally under-represented groups and diverse educational backgrounds and experiences. The fellowship provides a stipend, tuition, and subsidized health insurance for one academic year. Applicants are encouraged to inform us if they are interested in being nominated for this award. We may also nominate applicants on our own, so individuals who feel that they may be competitive for this award are encouraged to submit a strong "diversity statement" (Statement #2 in the online application). Please read more about eligibility and requirements at the DOVE website.

NRSM applicants who are awarded the DOVE Fellowship for their first year of study will also receive a full second year fellowship administered by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). CFANS Diversity Scholars (Graduate & Postdoctoral Funding Opportunity)

CFANS Diversity Scholars Graduate Student Fellowship Program

The CFANS Diversity Scholars Fellowship is administered by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). First-year students (U.S. citizen or permanent resident only) who self-select interest in the award (within the official online application) will be considered for nomination. The fellowship provides a stipend, tuition, and subsidized health insurance for one academic year. Applicants are encouraged to inform us if they are interested in being nominated for this award. We may also nominate applicants on our own, so individuals who feel that they may be competitive for this award are encouraged to submit a strong "diversity statement" (Statement #2 in the online application).

The Graduate Opportunity Fellowship may be deferred by students who are also selected to be DOVE Fellowship recipients. 

Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change Fellowships

The ICGC at the University of Minnesota offers fellowships for both incoming and current graduate students. Successful nominees for these various awards have backgrounds, experiences, and interests which indicate they are committed to the interdisciplinary study of the global south (particularly Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East) in the context of global change. This award requires a program nomination, so please let our office know if you are interested in being nominated. Please read more about eligibility and requirements at the website.