Scholarships and Fellowships

There are a number of fellowship and scholarship opportunities that are available to graduate students. The following discussion summarizes some of the major opportunities currently available. Most provide a non-resident tuition waiver. Check with the Department Graduate Office or Office of Graduate Studies for details.

University Programs

Regents' Graduate Fellowships
These highly competitive awards are given to new graduate or professional students with exceptional credentials. The awards are for one year with an option for renewal by the College. Fellowship nominations are made by the Department to the College or by the intercollegiate faculties to the Office of Graduate Studies. Regents' Graduate Fellowships are intended for applicants planning to pursue doctoral degrees. The size of stipends varies depending on College guidelines.

Graduate Merit Fellowships
These prestigious fellowships are awarded through a University-wide competition. The fellowships are designed to encourage high-quality applicants to enroll for the first time in graduate programs at Texas A&M University. Nominations are made by the departments to the College. These awards are given for one year.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships
The NSF awards these fellowships and the money is administered through the Office of Graduate Studies. Applications can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies during September and October and sent directly to the NSF.

Willie May Harris Charitable Trust Graduate Fellowship
The Willie May Harris Fellowship is awarded to first time graduate students who are citizens of the United States. The award is for a one-year term. Nominations are made by the department to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Tom Slick Fellowship
The Tom Slick Graduate Research Fellowship Program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences provides support for dissertation research of exceptional PhD students regardless of their nationality. Fellows must have completed all preliminary exams and a dissertation proposal prior to the beginning of the fellowship. The topic of the research conducted by the student should be relevant to Texas agriculture. Recipients are selected twice yearly with fellowships beginning January 1st and September 1st.

Presentation and Research Grants (Minifellowships)
The Graduate Student Presentation and Research Grant Program is supported by funds from the Office of the Vice President for Research and Associate Provost of Former Students. Primarily, the program supports graduate student research. The maximum dollar amount awarded is $500, but exceptional cases will be considered. Secondly, it helps defray travel expenses of students attending professional meetings to present research papers. Travel support is limited to $400.

Department Programs

Robert G. Cherry Fellowship
The student receiving this fellowship must be enrolled as a PhD or a Master of Science student in Agricultural Economics. The maximum award is $3,000 per year for three years. It is available to a student awarded a half-time assistantship by the Department. Preference is given to students who are Texas residents, employees of the Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE) with demonstrated potential for advancement, or have an interest in employment with TCE and plan to pursue dissertation or thesis research on an economic problem relevant to Texas agriculture, agribusiness, or related food and fiber concerns.

Tyrus Timm Fellowship
The student receiving this fellowship must be enrolled as a Master's student in Agricultural Economics. The recipient must also be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, have a strong academic record and a clear conduct record. The stipend paid by this fellowship varies with the income available from the endowment. The recipient's name is also added to the plaque displayed in the Department.

Rod Ziemer Scholarship
The Rod Ziemer Scholarship is a travel scholarship for graduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Science who are presenting papers at the annual AAEA meetings. Requests for applications will be announced and distributed through the Department. This award is based on need, and may not be awarded every year.

Hopkin Scholarship
The Hopkin Scholarship is awarded through the Department of Agricultural Economics to assist in recruitment of outstanding graduate students specializing in Agricultural Finance. Requests for applications will be announced and distributed through the Department. This scholarship may not be awarded every year.

Competitive Scholarships
The Department may offer a limited number of competitive scholarships based on merit and financial need. Recipients of such scholarships are eligible for a waiver of non-resident tuition.