HBCU Fellowship Program

Deadline: 7 January 2026

The program prepares talented, high-performing HBCU graduates to lead, innovate, drive community impact, and advance their professional industries through program engagement, mentorship, and career development opportunities. HBCU Fellows receive full tuition for one of the 16 Master of Science programs at Columbia’s School of Professional Studies, internship and mentorship opportunities, on-campus housing, career services, community engagement and programming, a stipend, and lifelong membership in the global Columbia alumni network.

For Fellowship consideration, qualified HBCU seniors or recent graduates (those who have completed their bachelor’s degree requirements by 2024 or later) must submit both a Master of Science application and an HBCU Fellowship Program application by the January 7 deadline. Both applications must be submitted and completed for consideration. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

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

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.

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.