Graduate Student Funding Opportunities

 

ESC OPPORTUNITIES
The ESC offers and administers a wide variety of funding opportunities for graduate students which can support work at all levels of your academic career. Please see below for details about specific programs, but please note that unless otherwise specified, awards are subject to certain restrictions for how expenses can be used.

 

Alberta Sbragia Fund for Graduate European Studies
The Alberta Sbragia Fund for Graduate European Studies was established in 2011 in honor of Dr. Sbragia’s commitment to education and mentoring of young scholars. Details about the application process can be found below.

  • Open to University of Pittsburgh graduate students – currently ABD – for dissertation assistance, research or publication support, or travel to and research in relevant European countries. Grants will be awarded in the amount of $1,000-$2,000.
     
  • Interested applicants should submit a completed application on Submittable
     
  • Applicants may request up to $2,000 with the committee reserving the right to partially fund projects.
     
  • See guidelines.

DEADLINE: February 16, 2024 (11:59 p.m. EST)

 

FLAS Fellowships
The FLAS Fellowship program is a prestigious and competitive award that allows select Pitt undergraduate and graduate students to devote full time attention to their chosen modern foreign language and area studies specialty.  There are separate competitions for the Academic Year FLAS Fellowship and the Summer FLAS Fellowship.  The Fellowship covers some or all tuition costs, may cover fees, and provides awardees with a stipend.  See additional information and applications.

DEADLINE:  February 15, 2024 (11:59 p.m. EST) for both the the Academic Year and summer FLAS Fellowships

 

Graduate Student Small Grants
The ESC offers small grants (Up to $300 domestic; $500 international) to Graduate Students to help defray the costs of presenting papers at professional conferences. Applications will be reviewed at the beginning of each month with notification made by mid-month. For a list of rules and guidelines, please see below.

DEADLINE: Rolling

 

Spring or Summer 2024 Graduate Student Professional Development Grants

This year, thanks to funding from our National Resource Centers grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the ESC has additional funds to support graduate students who want to travel to in-person conferences or participate in other professional development opportunities.  To be eligible, students should be using the funds to help develop skills germane to their interests (research or teaching) related to Europe or to explore international careers.  Examples of eligible projects include (but are not limited to) presenting a paper at a professional conference, commissioning a survey, taking a methods course, enrolling in a digital humanities course, or an internship abroad (funds can be used towards living or travel expenses to help make the internship possible). Interested students should send a formal request, including a brief (1-2 page) description of your proposed plans and how they advance your research or your career goals, and a draft budget to the advisor, Steve Lund, with Associate Director Erica Edwards in copy.

DEADLINE: Rolling

 

GSPIA-Sciences Po Student Exchange and Tuition Scholarship
The University of Pittsburgh offers a direct exchange program for GSPIA graduate students with Sciences Po in Paris, France, one of the most prestigious universities in France and in the world. Students have access to the majority of Sciences Po’s Master’s programs, though linguistic or academic prerequisites may exist. Possible programs of study relevant to GSPIA students include: Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA), Master of European Affairs, Master of Public Policy, Master in Governing the Large Metropolis, Master of Regional and Urban Strategies.

Courses are taught in English and/or French; proficiency in French is not required to take classes, write papers or take exams for English language courses. A working knowledge of French will assist students with non-academic practical matters.  Students will be responsible for all costs of living in Paris, but tuition will be paid directly to Pitt. Students interested in being considered for a partial or full tuition scholarship from the ESC should indicate their interest on the application.

Visit the Sciences Po website, for more information about available programs. See a full list of programs and requirements. Contact Steve Lund, for more information about the program.

The application must be coordinated with and approved by the University’s European Studies Center (ESC). 

APPLY
DEADLINE: March 5, 2024 11:59 pm EST

 

Rules Governing Most ESC Expenses
Rules governing student awards from the European Studies Center can be found on the Post Award Guidelines for Students page.  These should be read carefully as failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in a loss of funding.

UPDATE FOR 2022-23 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES:
Any faculty or graduate student research grant awarded that involves travel will be contingent upon public safety recommendations by the CDC and the Department of State and subject to University policy. All grantees will be subject to the requirements and procedures in place at the time of travel. Please email Erica Edwards, Associate Director if you have any questions.

Please also take note of the University's Standards and Guidelines.

 

OTHER RELATED FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AT PITT

International Studies Fund (ISF)
The International Studies Fund (ISF) is intended to help students at the University of Pittsburgh to conduct research on international issues or in international settings. “International” is defined as relating to another country or culture, comparative analysis covering more than one country or culture, studies of international relations or of transnational activities, or studies which examine topics related to global issues.

*Important: ISF grants may not be used for tuition, language study, internships, and other non-research related expenses. Conference, workshop or symposium travel is not eligible for funding under the ISF program.  The application deadline is March 15.

Please note: Applications will be accepted by email only.  Please download the fillable PDF application (you may type in your name instead of signing the application).  Additional materials such as IRB clearances or airline ticket quotes should be included in the same email as the application and sent to isfapps@pitt.edu, with “Your Last Name, Your First Name- ISF 2014” in the subject line of your email. View more information.

 

Nationality Rooms Scholarships
The Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs began in 1926.  As committees completed their rooms, they turned their attention to creating study abroad scholarships.  The Nationality Rooms have awarded scholarships for summer study abroad annually since 1948.  The purpose of the awards is to enable University of Pittsburgh students to have an in-depth immersion in another culture for at least five weeks.  It is important that applicants choose a program that will maximize their contact with the populace abroad and be accepted by the University for credit. See more information.

 

EXTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES

The ESC support's Pitt's institutional membership in a number of Professional Organizations related to European Studies.  These organizations often provide support for graduate student travel and research.  See current memberships and find links to the organizations' websites.

 

DAAD Funding Opportunities
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers a wide range of scholarships, fellowships, and grants to undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty.  Due to the long-standing relationship between DAAD and the University of Pittsburgh, Pitt is designated as a Partner University.  As a result, Pitt may nominate one graduate-level scholarship or grant applicant for priority consideration by DAAD.  Applications not nominated will still be entered into the general DAAD competition.  Please see the application guidelines for instructions.  For more information please consult the DAAD website and Lesha Greened, Scholarship Mentor in the Honors College, and DAAD Coordinator for the University of Pittsburgh.

 

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