Fellowships & Financing

Graduate Student Researchers (GSR): GSR appointments may be awarded at various percentage levels. Appointments greater than 25 percent time are entitled to a tuition and fee remission. 
 
Merit Awards: Approximately $2 million in merit fellowships are given to 25 percent of the incoming MIA and MPP students. Merit funding is awarded based on academic performance, test results and personal and professional accomplishments.
 
Need-Based Aid: U.S. Citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for need-based financial aid. Financial aid is funding provided by federal and state governments and the University of California to help pay your educational expenses during the 9-month academic year. Visit UC San Diego Financial Aid site for information about financial aid, the types available, eligibility requirements and filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
 
Teaching Assistantships, Readers and Tutors: Are appointed to a minimum of 25 percent time for the quarter are also eligible for graduate student health insurance remission and a partial university-fee remission. Our students serve as teaching assistants and readers in academic departments throughout the UC San Diego campus.

GPS-Funed-Conacyt Fellowship: This unique partnership offers qualified Mexican students partial tuition funding while also opening the door to consideration for a matching fellowship and low-interest loans from La Fundación Mexicana para la Educación, la Tecnología, y la Ciencia (FUNED) and El Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT).

Joseph Naiman Graduate Fellowship: Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 to support research and study on Japan.

Robertson Foundation for Government Fellowship: GPS is proud to be one of Robertson Foundation's five partner institutions. The foundation aims to train and educate students for government service, with particular emphasis on international relations and foreign affairs. The fellowship covers tuition, fees, stipend and summer internship support. Graduates commit to work for the U.S. federal government for a minimum of three of their first seven years after completing their master’s degree.

The Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF): This fellowship offered in partnership with The Nippon Foundation and the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research. Awardees of this fellowship receive full tuition and fees to GPS as well as a stipend and summer internship support. To qualify, an applicant must demonstrate a strong commitment to leadership and priority is given to students studying Japan."

San Diego Fellowship: UC San Diego offers the San Diego Fellowship program as a means to increase campus diversity. The fellowship program provides two awards: the San Diego Fellowship and the Eugene Costa-Robles Fellowship. Please refer to the website for program guidelines, requirements and fellowship amounts.

Summer Internship Funding: Our career services office provides financial support to our master’s students who undertake unpaid internships during the summer between their first and second year.

UC San Diego's Center on Global Justice: Holds an annual student competition for human rights fellowships. Successful applicants will receive a stipend for summer internships with a human rights organization.

UC San Diego Education Abroad (EAP) Scholarships: UC San Diego awards over $500,000 dollars each year in scholarships specifically for study abroad. The application form for scholarships administered by the Program Abroad Office will be revised prior to each scholarship deadline.

UC San Diego Tribal Membership Initiative: Under the Tribal Membership Initiative, all members of a federally recognized tribe of any of the original peoples of North America or the Hawaiian Islands who enroll in our MIA and MPP programs will be eligible to receive a two-year fellowship, which includes a $15,000 per year stipend and up to $25,000 per year allotment for fees.

Federal Veterans Benefits: Veterans may now apply for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill that is effective Aug. 1, 2009, among other available federal veterans benefits. Veterans and active duty U.S. military also receive and application fee waiver.

APSIA: Listing of additional fellowships and scholarships.

Central Intelligence Agency Graduate Scholarship Program: The Graduate Scholar Program was developed, in part, to assist minority and disabled students, but application is open to all students who meet the requirements. Selected students will be given up to $18,000 per calendar year for tuition, mandatory fees, books and supplies, an annual salary, and an optional benefits package that includes health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, and retirement. Scholars agree to continue employment with the Agency after graduation for a period equal to 1.5 times the length of your college sponsorship. Students should apply at least 12 months prior to their anticipated start date in order to allow for security processing.

Fulbright Program: The largest U.S. international exchange program offers opportunities for students, scholars and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide. 

NSEP David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships: Up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students. Eligibility: Student seeking graduate admission or continuing graduate student support for overseas or domestic study or both.

The Organization of American States (OAS) Rowe Fund: The Rowe Fund is an educational loan program that helps citizens from Latin America and Caribbean OAS Member States finance their studies or research in accredited universities across the U.S. by awarding interest-free loans of up to $15,000.

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship: The fellowship is designed to attract outstanding individuals from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a foreign service career with the U.S. Department of State. Participants are awarded with second year, full funding of tuition and fees while enrolled in one of the two-year master’s degree programs.

PEO International Peace Scholarship: The scholarship is based upon demonstrated need; however, the award is not intended to cover all academic or personal expenses. At the time of application, the applicant is required to indicate additional financial resources adequate to meet her estimated expenses. Examples of additional resources are personal and family funds, tuition waivers, work scholarships, teaching assistantships, study grants and other scholarships.

Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA): The PPIA seeks out high-potential undergraduate students from universities across the country to participate in an intensive seven-week Junior Summer Institute (JSI) before their senior year. Fellows are equipped with the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in graduate school, typically in public policy, public administration, international affairs or a related field, and ultimately in influential roles serving the public good. Typically participants are awarded with full tuition and fees to pursue one or two-year master’s degree programs.

Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship: The program is a collaborative effort between Howard University and the U.S. Department of State that seeks to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers as diplomats in the foreign service of the U.S. Department of State.

USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program: The program seeks to attract outstanding young people who are interested in pursuing careers in the foreign service of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The Association for Asian Studies: List of Asian Studies grants and fellowships.

Ford Foundation: Application and deadline determined by region/IFP international partner.

Go Grad: Explore funding options to finance an advanced degree.

GRAPES Funding: UCLA's graduate studies office maintains the easy-to-use and frequently updated database.

National Institutes of Health Office of Extramural Research: Where grants policy, program coordination, compliance and electronic Research Administration (eRA) coverage.

Peterson’s: Search on scholarships, grants, fellowships and more.