New Student Fellowship (Graduate School) – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

🌟 About the Scholarship

Opens15 Sep, 2025
Closes15 Jan, 2026

The Cornell Fellowship supports incoming PhD students at Cornell University. Cornell University Graduate School offers this fellowship through its New Student Fellowships program. The Cornell Fellowship provides comprehensive financial support. It covers full tuition fees during the fellowship period. Fellows receive a living stipend to support daily expenses. The award also includes Cornell’s individual student health insurance. Students do not need to serve as teaching assistants or research assistants while holding the fellowship.

🎓 Scholarship Snapshot

Here’s everything you need at a glance: the documents to prepare, what the award covers, and key dates so you don’t miss a beat. From transcripts and essays to tuition and living support, this gives you a clear picture of the New Student Fellowship (Graduate School) before you apply.

Eligible Countries

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Seirra Leone, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, South-Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Study Fields

All fields

GPA / Grade

Grade B

Languages

IELTS 7, TOEFL 26

Tests

Study Levels

PhD

Total Scholarships

Transcripts

Yes

Degrees

Yes

Essay

Yes

Passport ID

Recommendation Letters

Yes (2-3)

Result Date

Program Start

August/September

Tuition Fee

Covered

Living Allowance

Yes

Travel Allowance

Research Grant

Health Insurance

Yes

Visa Assistance

🩺 Health Insurance

Cornell’s individual student health insurance is included.

📞 Contact Information

Call if you want a quick answer, send an email for detailed questions, or follow the university’s social channels to keep an eye on updates and reminders. Use whatever fits your style and timezone.

Scholarship Summary

Award Amount
Deadline15 Jan, 2026
LevelPhD
InstitutionCornell University
CountryUnited States
ModeOnline
TypeFully funded

Apply Now

The Cornell Fellowship supports incoming PhD students at Cornell University. Cornell University Graduate School offers this fellowship through its New Student Fellowships program. The award targets first-year doctoral students across multiple disciplines. It provides strong financial support at the start of graduate study. The fellowship allows students to focus fully on research and academic development.

Background and Purpose

Cornell University created this fellowship to attract outstanding doctoral scholars. The program reflects Cornell’s commitment to academic excellence and research leadership. It supports students during the critical transition into doctoral study. By removing teaching and research obligations during the fellowship period, Cornell helps students establish a strong academic foundation. The fellowship strengthens the university’s research environment and supports long-term scholarly success.

New Student Fellowship Benefits

The Cornell Fellowship provides comprehensive financial support. It covers full tuition fees during the fellowship period. Fellows receive a living stipend to support daily expenses. The award also includes Cornell’s individual student health insurance. Students do not need to serve as teaching assistants or research assistants while holding the fellowship. This structure allows fellows to dedicate time to coursework, research planning, and academic integration. Funding usually lasts for one semester or a full academic year, depending on departmental allocation and academic field.

Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and international students. Applicants must apply to a PhD program at Cornell University. The fellowship generally supports only first-year doctoral students. Candidates must demonstrate strong academic preparation and research potential. Departments assess eligibility based on academic records and admissions materials.

New Student Fellowship Application Process

Applicants do not submit a separate fellowship application. Students indicate interest by responding affirmatively on the graduate admissions application. Departments review candidates during the admissions process. Cornell awards fellowships at the time of admission. Successful applicants receive notification with their official admission offer. Selection depends on academic merit, departmental priorities, and fellowship availability.

Opportunities for Scholars

Fellows gain early access to Cornell’s research community. They engage with faculty mentors and academic peers. The fellowship allows students to build research skills without immediate workload pressure. Scholars benefit from Cornell’s libraries, laboratories, and interdisciplinary resources. The fellowship supports a smooth transition into long-term PhD funding pathways, including teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and external fellowships. Recipients begin their doctoral journey with financial stability, academic focus, and strong institutional support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible?

It is available to newly admitted doctoral students (Ph.D.) at Cornell, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students; continuing students are not eligible to apply.

What does it cover?

Cornell Fellowships generally include full tuition coverage, a nine‑month living stipend, and individual student health insurance for the academic year; in some fields, a summer stipend may also be included.

How do I apply?

You are automatically considered when you submit your graduate admission application and answer “yes” to the question about interest in university fellowships and assistantships, no separate fellowship form is needed.

When are awards notified?

Fellowship decisions are usually communicated with your admission offer, so you’ll know at the same time you receive your acceptance letter.

Are there other fellowships?

Yes, Cornell also awards Sage Fellowships (multi‑year support in certain fields), Founder’s Excellence Fellowships, and other named recruitment fellowships, which also include tuition, stipend, and insurance, often with additional requirements or nomination processes.

Can external fellowships be used?

Graduate students are encouraged to apply for external competitive fellowships (e.g., NSF GRFP), and Cornell may top‑off external awards to ensure they meet minimum stipend and tuition coverage standards.