THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Student Research Funding Opportunities
Below is a non-exhaustive list of internal, federal, and non-federal grants and fellowships of interest to students in the social sciences and link to student research resources guides. For a more comprehensive database, visit the UChicagoGRAD Fellowships Database.
The University of Chicago’s centers, departments, and divisions offer grants and fellowships to graduate students. If you are interested in applying for funding, start with your academic department as some departments have internal funding opportunities that are not advertised to the campus at large.
The Weiss Fund for Research in Development Economics - April 8
Center for East Asian Studies - Deadlines Vary by Mechanism
Chinese Studies Funding
Japanese Studies Funding
Korean Studies Funding
Center for International Social Sciences Research - Due April TBD
Dissertation Completion Grants
Lloyd and Susanne Rudolph Field Research Award for Graduate Students
Center for Latin American Studies - Due March TBD
Mellon Research Travel Fellowship
Tinker Field Research Grant
Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality (CSGS)
Dissertation Completion and Residential Fellowships - March 15
Research Grants - February 2 and April 20
Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture (CSRPC) - Due March 15
Dissertation Completion and Residential Fellowships
Research and Travel Grants
Committee on Southern Asian Studies - Due April 1
Dissertation Writing Support Fellowship
Summer Research and Travel
France Chicago Center - Due January 26
François Furet Travel Grant
EHESS Exchange Fellowship
Sciences Po Exchange Fellowship
Greenberg Center for Jewish Studies
Research and Travel Grants - May TBD
Conference Presentation Grants - Rolling
Nicholson Center for British Studies - Due March 13
Graduate Research Fellowships
Graduate Archival Research Grants
Pozen Family Center for Human Rights
Research Grants for PhD Students - March 3
Social Sciences Research Center
Graduate Student Fellowship Program - January 26
Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State
PhD Dissertation Award - July TBD
National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Enables predoctoral students to obtain mentored research training while conducting dissertation research.
Deadlines: Varies depending on the program
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Provides 12 to 18 months of support for research on crime, violence, and other criminal justice-related topics.
Deadline: Spring
National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIG)
Offered in a variety of disciplines, funding supports research and travel in order to improve dissertation quality.
Deadline: Varies depending on the program
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Stipend and tuition support for graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees.
Deadline: Mid-October
Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
Supports original and significant dissertation study of ethical or religious values in all fields of the humanities and social sciences.
Deadline: November
Fulbright Fellowship
Fellowships for 8–12 months of study or research abroad; criteria vary by country. UChicagoGRAD manages the internal application process.
Deadline: Late August (internal)
Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship
Supports doctoral students pursuing innovative research in the humanities and interpretive social sciences and who show promise of leading their fields in important new directions.
Deadline: October 2026 TBD
National Academy of Education / Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowships
Supports students whose dissertations bring fresh and constructive perspectives to the history, theory, or practice of education.
Deadline: October 2026 TBD
For questions about funding, UChicagoGrad, your academic department, and the Dean of Students office can help provide answers. Identify the right resource for your question below.
UChicagoGRAD
Your Academic Department
Dean of Students Office