The Graduate School sponsors two major fellowship programs: the Legacy Building Fellowship Competition* and the Supplemental Graduate Fellowship and Recruitment Funding Program. See descriptions of the fellowship programs below.
*The Legacy Building Fellowship Competition was previously called the “Spring Fellowship Competition.”
Note: Students are not allowed to apply on their own; both programs require nomination by directors of graduate studies.
Legacy Building Fellowship Competition
Legacy Building Fellowships (LBF) are awarded on a competitive basis in recognition of a student’s demonstrated scholarship, scholastic, and creative promise.
Mizzou graduate fellowships are administered by the Graduate School and are awarded to incoming, full-time graduate students. To be eligible, a student must be admitted to a graduate program and awarded a graduate assistantship. LBF are merit-based awards used to contribute to the financial support of exceptional graduate students. Except in very rare circumstances, these fellowships are disbursed through payroll in monthly increments along with the assistantship stipend.
Directors of Graduate Studies (DGSs) and department chairs/directors should review the Graduate Fellowship Guidelines released in early November of each year. Details about available fellowships and specific qualifications required for each fellowship are included in the guidelines, which are updated during the fall semester. When reviewing the guidelines, please note the recent changes to the fellowship funding and disbursement model.
As of Spring 2024, LBF nominations will be completed entirely within the MU Graduate School InfoReady Platform.
Renewal
Directors of Graduate Studies (DGSs) and fellowship recipients will receive notification annually, during the spring semester, regarding fellowship renewal.
A fellowship may be renewed if:
- Funding is available, or limited semesters of support of a student are met.
- Academic program guidelines for funding duration are met.
- The student is making satisfactory academic progress.
Nomination Process
- Review the fellowship guidelines for relevant dates and nomination process details. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. (central time) Thursday, February 6, 2025.
- The MU Graduate Student Legacy Building Fellowship Program requires nomination by Directors of Graduate Studies (DGSs); students are not allowed to apply on their own.
- Fellowship nominations are completed entirely within the MU Graduate School InfoReady Platform.
Supplemental Graduate Fellowship and Recruitment Funding Program
The Supplemental Graduate Fellowship and Recruitment Funding (SGFRF) Program is aimed at helping graduate programs recruit new students who show exceptional merit and promise.
Eligibility
- Funding is awarded to departments that demonstrate best practices in graduate education by recruiting, retaining, training, and professionally placing outstanding students.
- Funds can be used, for example: to help provide increased student support through a one-year fellowship, visitation/recruiting events, early enrollment support, professional development funding, or other innovative methods to improve graduate program recruiting efforts.
- If utilizing funds as a fellowship, each fellowship must be awarded as a supplement to a .50 FTE departmental teaching or research assistantship or additional departmental fellowship. Students receiving the awards must be enrolled as full-time graduate students.
Submitting an Application
Department/program applications are due by November 15, 2024, 5 p.m. (central time).
Please review the current Call for Applications.
Submit your application via InfoReady.
→ Applications must be submitted by the DGS or Department Chair/Director of the department/interdisciplinary program.
→ A faculty panel will review the applications and recommend award decisions to the Graduate School. SGFRF Award notifications will be communicated before the University-observed winter break in late December.
QUESTIONS: Please email any questions about SGFRF Program funding to Enid Schatz at schatzej@missouri.edu.