Fellowships and Special PhD Funding

The MU Sinclair School of Nursing, in conjunction with the MU Graduate Studies, and select foundations interested in improving nursing and healthcare, offer several fellowship and merit award programs for incoming and continuing PhD students.

International Graduates

Many of our international students have financial sponsorship from their home country. There is very limited financial support for international PhD applicants and limited work opportunities.

  • Applicants to the International Residential PhD Option without sponsorship must submit all PhD application materials by the Early Acceptance application date (January 15) and then contact the PhD Director to discuss possible funding options.
  • Working as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States requires a U.S. nursing license. Learn how to obtain a U.S. nursing license.  
  • Depending on the academic program, working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) in the Sinclair School of Nursing may require licensure as an RN as well as relevant RN work experience in the U.S.
  • There are a limited number of Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) and GTA positions. Availability of GTA and GRA positions are pased on the needs of the school and are contingent upon available funding.

MU Graduate Assistantships, including both teaching and research assistantships, are part-time employment opportunities for graduate students applied for through academic departments or research centers. Assistantships are typically 10-20 hours per week and offer a monthly stipend as well as a tuition waiver. More information about graduate assistantships as well as other financial resources for graduate study at MU is available on the MU Graduate Studies website.

Curators Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Scholarships: Graduate GIA Scholarships waive one credit hour of tuition up to nine credit hours of tuition toward required courses and all non-resident fees of all credit hours which student is enrolled for one semester. GIAs are awarded on a semester-only basis based on an evaluation of academic merit, financial need, longevity at MU, and on-campus employment and student activities. Application deadline for fall semester funding in April; Application deadline for spring semester funding in early November.  Visit the Curator’s Grant-in-Aid scholarship webpage for further details. 

Global Tiger Scholarships: The Mizzou Alumni Association is committed to providing scholarship opportunities for returning international students. Students must maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA or higher, be enrolled full-time, and have at least one (1) remaining semester at Mizzou. Applications are due by March 1 each year. Recipients, as a part of the scholarship award, agree to provide service to the alumni association during the school year in which the award is received as needed. Visit the Mizzou Alumni Association webpage for application details.

External scholarships and fellowships are available via competitive application for international graduate students. Each external organization has specific criteria. International applicants interested in pursuing one of these options needs to review options and apply early. Visit the External Scholarships and Fellowships page at the MU International Center for more details.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund: The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for selected international women for graduate study in the United States and Canada. Maximum $10,000 annually, depending on need. Eligibility forms are due by mid-December each year.  Application forms are due March 1st each year. Visit the PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund to learn more about eligibility and request an application.

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program is a federal program designed to increase the number of nursing students who pursue careers as full-time faculty teaching in schools of nursing. DNP and PhD students are eligible to apply if they are committed to a faculty role, in good academic standing, are US citizens or permanent residents, and not in default on any prior student loans. Recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, complete at least 4-6 credits/semester, and maintain enrollment for a minimum of two consecutive semesters.

Recipients receive financial awards to offset a portion of the cost of tuition, books, fees and other reasonable educational expenses. Awards may be renewable for a maximum of five years but this is contingent upon ongoing federal funding and therefore subject to change. Recipients must complete the specified education component(s) prior to graduating. Nurse Faculty Loan Program applications are due by July 1 each year.

Nurse Faculty Loan Program Details and Application

Fellowships for Underrepresented Minorities

PhD applicants interested in being nominated for one of these fellowships must submit all PhD application materials by the Early Acceptance application date and then contact the PhD Director for information about the fellowship application process.

 

Ronald E. McNair Scholars:  This program is designed to support newly admitted masters or doctoral students in any field who successfully completed a Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at a university other than MU. Nominees must have and maintain a 3.5 GPA. Fellowship applicants must include a letter from the McNair Director at the Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at a university other than MU.

Gus T. Ridgel Fellowships: This fellowship program assists qualified underrepresented minority graduate students in any field. Awards can be made to U.S. citizens who are members of an underrepresented ethnic minority population (African American, Native American or Alaska Native, Hispanic or Mexican American). Nominees must have and maintain a 3.5 GPA. Please review the fellowships guidelines for more information.

Sinclair Fellowship Program

The Sinclair Fellowship is given primarily to outstanding first-year PhD students at the MU Sinclair School of Nursing. The recipient will be enrolled as a new PhD student on a full-time basis, must not be an MU employee, must be enrolled in at least 9 credit hours per semester and must maintain a 3.5 GPA.

These fellowships are annual awards that range up to $10,000 and may be renewable for up to three (3) years, as long as the student is making satisfactory progress toward the degree (with no incompletes). However, since the award is made primarily to first-year students, there is no guarantee of additional funding.  To apply for the Sinclair Fellowship, PhD applicants should complete the Graduate Scholarship Application form (which can be found in the PhD Forms) and submit it to the PhD program director at wipketevisd@missouri.edu by the posted PhD program application deadline.