Graduate Opportunity Fellowship

Fellowship details

Application Status
application status icon
Open
Deadline
04/15/2026
Amount
$42,000
Period of Funding
The academic year beginning in October
Citizenship Requirements
U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, AB540 Status
Contact

Overview

The Graduate Opportunity Fellowship (GOF) is a one year fellowship for first year MFA and doctoral students that is designed to release recipients from employment or loan obligations that might delay progress in graduate study. It is designed to facilitate the academic career development of students who have experienced significant disadvantage in their prior educational experiences. 

Award Information

  • In the first year, the Graduate Division will award fellowship support of a $33,600 stipend, distributed during the academic year beginning in October, plus fees and document fee. The department will provide a supplemental stipend of $8,400 and NRST as applicable. The combined stipend award is $42,000.
  • The department will support the student’s funding for five years for a PhD and two to three years for a MFA, from TA/GSR funding etc.

 

The department/school will provide  the following:

  • Support during non-fellowship years at levels (Years 2-5) outlined in the bargaining agreements.
  • Funding levels listed above apply to incoming Fall 2026 fellows.

 

Important Dates

Deadline:  April 15

If you would like to be considered for this award, contact the staff coordinator of the program in which you are interested.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Awardee must be admitted to a doctoral or MFA program at UCI.
  • Awardee must demonstrate high potential and promise.
  • Awardee must demonstrate evidence of academic achievement while overcoming barriers such as economic, social, or educational disadvantage.
  • Awardee must be a United States citizen, Permanent Resident, or AB540 eligible.
  • Awardee must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate and master’s (if applicable) GPA.
  • Awardee must have a pending SIR (Statement of Intent to Register) at the time of nomination.
  • Awardee must be interviewed during the admissions process by the department in order to be considered for this fellowship. Method of interview can be in-person, by phone, or Skype, etc. Email correspondence is NOT acceptable

Contact

Award process is administered at the school and/or department level. 

If you would like to be considered for this award, contact the staff coordinator of the program in which you are interested. 

Graduate Division Contact:  Questions can be directed to Mariela Menendez at  fellowships@exchange.uci.edu

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