Fellowships & Scholarships

The Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) provides a free fellowship and scholarship bulletin for members and non-members to browse for opportunities. Announcements are posted with the newest announcements first. Please remember to contact each institution individually if you would like more information about a fellowship or scholarship listing. SSSP hopes you find this service valuable. 

Fellowship for European Scholars

Deadline: 25 November 2025

The Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies offers four fellowships to bring highly accomplished European social scientists to undertake research at Harvard University for one academic year.

CES encourages eligible scholars from all social science disciplines (including history) whose work is related to modern Europe. Applications are judged on the quality and significance of the proposed project and the applicant’s record of achievement and promise. The Fellowship provides a generous stipend for ten months of continuous residential research at CES from September to June. Accepted candidates will join fellow Europe-focused scholars from around the world as part of the Center's Visiting Scholars Program.

Learn more and apply

Laura Bassi Scholarship

Deadline: 28 November 2025

The Laura Bassi Scholarship was established in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline and the next round of funding will be awarded in Winter 2025.

All currently enrolled master’s and doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of full-time employment. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with their CV through the application portal by the relevant deadline. 

Learn more and apply

Southern Equality Research Grant

Deadline: 5 December 2025

More than thirty percent of all LGBTQ people in the United States call the American South home. Yet, less than ten percent of the social research on this population highlights the experiences of those in the region. The lack of data makes it challenging to craft rebuttals to, articulate the effects of, and secure protections against the attacks on LGBTQ people and communities in the South. The Southern Equality Research and Policy Center (SERPC) developed the Southern Equality Research Grant to support students and early career researchers conduct rigorous research investigating social problems that affect the lived experiences and life chances of LGBTQ people in the region. SERPC welcomes researchers to join us in Meeting the Moment in the LGBTQ South to assess local, state, and federal policies restricting the rights of LGBTQ people and examine the impact of these policies on LGBTQ people and their allies.  

Learn more and apply

Visiting Scholars

Deadline: 14 December 2025

For over five decades, the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES) has welcomed a diverse group of Visiting Scholars from around the globe. They are selected through a competitive process from among a highly-qualified pool of post-doctoral social scientists working on modern Europe. CES Visiting Scholars undertake research at Harvard, participate in seminars and conferences on campus, and intellectually engage with members of our university community.

Learn more and apply

NIBRS Animal Cruelty Data Research Award

Deadline: 15 January 2026

 The Center for the Study of NIBRS Animal Cruelty Data, created by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), is offering grants of up to $5,000 to support student research projects focused on NIBRS animal cruelty data. This funding is designed to promote innovative research that informs prevention and intervention efforts through the analysis of NIBRS animal cruelty data and/or the evaluation of related topics such as data quality or reporting issues. 

Ideal Candidates: Graduate students (master's or doctoral) with an academic focus on topics such as animal welfare, criminology, sociology, psychology, or related fields who plan to address NIBRS animal cruelty data in their research. 

Information Session: AWI will hold a virtual information session on 11/20/25 at 5:00pm Eastern to answer questions about the application process and acceptable uses for funding. Students who wish to attend this optional information session, may register here.

How to Apply: Students can view application requirements and submit information directly through our website here

For more details about the award and NIBRS datasets, please visit The Center’s website. Questions about the program or application process can be directed to claire@awionline.org. 

2026 SPA/Robert Lemelson Foundation Fellowship Program 

Deadline: 15 January 2026

The SPA/Robert Lemelson Foundation Fellowships are designed to provide graduate students working in the field of psychological anthropology with funding to pursue exploratory research for planning their doctoral dissertation research and /or methods training to prepare for their doctoral dissertation research. Research projects supported by the funding should have the potential of advancing the field of psychological anthropology.
Normally, fellows receive their awards after their first or second year of graduate training as they begin to develop their dissertation research projects. Proposed exploratory projects are evaluated for viability and the potential of resulting in future dissertation research that will advance the field of psychological anthropology. Preference is given to applicants conducting exploratory research abroad. There will be a limited number of SPA/RLF awards available for the 2026 round. Each fellow is expected to receive between $3,000 and $6,000 depending upon need.

Learn more and apply.

Dissertation Research Grants Program

Deadline: 3 February 2026

The Dissertation Research Grants program supports innovative and high-quality dissertation research that addresses questions relevant to any of RSF's priority areas: Behavioral Science and Decision Making in Context; Future of Work; Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration; Immigration and Immigrant Integration; and Social, Political, and Economic Inequality. Proposed projects must be closely aligned with the funding priorities listed on the RSF website, contribute to RSF's mission to improve social and living conditions in the U.S., and demonstrate appropriate use of relevant theory, innovative data, rigorous research methods, and measures. Applicants must be enrolled doctoral students at institutions of higher education in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, who have completed all program requirements except the dissertation. Some grants will be co-funded with The Policy Academies and the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.

Learn more about the Dissertation Research Grants program here.

Russell Sage Foundation Letters of Inquiry

Deadline: 11 March 2026

RSF will accept letters of inquiry (LOIs) under the core programs for Future of Work and Social, Political, and Economic Inequality and for the special initiative Implications of the 2023 Supreme Court Decision to Ban Race-Conscious Admissions at Colleges and Universities for Educational Attainment and Economic Mobility. LOIs must include specific information about the proposed data and research design and must be no longer than four pages. After peer review, about 15 percent of those who submit an LOI will receive an invitation to submit a full proposal. 

Learn more about our funding priorities and apply here.

Law School Scholarships and Resources Guide 

Deadline: Rolling

Law school scholarships fall into a wide array of categories and are available to a variety of students. As with student grants, there are need-based options, but there are also merit-based scholarships, diversity scholarships, and a range of scholarships specific to an area of expertise (e.g., intellectual property, social justice, etc.).

This section will dive into the world of law school scholarships: the different types of scholarship opportunities as well as a list of available scholarships to help jump start your scholarship search.

Law School Scholarships and Resources Guide

Military Scholarships and Resources Guide 

Deadline: Rolling

For military members and veterans, scholarships often consider service and sacrifice, offering financial assistance to those who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces.

With that in mind, this guide aims to provide comprehensive information on scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid available specifically to help military members, veterans, and their families pay for their education.

Military Scholarships and Resources Guide

LGBTQIA Scholarships and Resources Guide

Deadline: Rolling

In honor of Pride Month this June,PublicServiceDegrees.org is highlighting valuable resources to support LGBTQIA students in their educational journeys. They've developed a comprehensive guide focused on scholarships and financial aid specifically for LGBTQIA students.

The guide provides detailed information on various scholarships available to LGBTQIA students, helping them overcome financial barriers to education. It includes application tips, eligibility criteria, and additional resources to support their academic and professional growth.

Best Online Guide to Scholarships and Resources for Psychology Graduate Students 

Deadline: Open

The decision to go back to school and get an advanced degree can be one of the most difficult decisions to make, but for those who choose to do so by pursuing an psychology degree, it can be extremely rewarding. To help anyone reap these rewards, OMD has two resources available that pave the path to a successful grad school experience.

Graduate Scholarships and Resources for Psychology Students

Top Psychology Master’s Degree Programs Online