mit chemistry phd funding

• Skip to Content
• Bulletin Home

• This Is MIT >
• Graduate Education >

Financial Aid

• Around Campus
• Academic Program
• Administration
• Arts at MIT
• Campus Media
• Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups
• Health Services
• Priscilla King Gray Public Service Center
• Religious Organizations
• Student Government
• Work-​Life and Family Resources
• Advising and Support
• Digital Learning
• Disability and Access Services
• Information Systems and Technology
• Student Financial Services
• Writing and Communication Center
• Major Course of Study
• General Institute Requirements
• Independent Activites Period
• Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
• First-​Year Advising Seminars
• Interphase EDGE/​x
• Edgerton Center
• Grading Options
• Study at Other Universities
• Internships Abroad
• Career Advising and Professional Development
• Teacher Licensure and Education
• ROTC Programs
• Medical Requirements
• Graduate Study at MIT
• General Degree Requirements
• Other Institutions
• Registration
• Term Regulations and Examination Policies
• Academic Performance and Grades
• Policies and Procedures
• Privacy of Student Records
• Abdul Latif Jameel Clinic for Machine Learning in Health
• Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab
• Art, Culture, and Technology Program
• Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
• Center for Bits and Atoms
• Center for Clinical and Translational Research
• Center for Collective Intelligence
• Center for Computational Science and Engineering
• Center for Constructive Communication
• Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research
• Center for Environmental Health Sciences
• Center for Global Change Science
• Center for International Studies
• Center for Real Estate
• Center for Transportation &​ Logistics
• Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
• Concrete Sustainability Hub
• D-​Lab
• Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation
• Division of Comparative Medicine
• Haystack Observatory
• Initiative on the Digital Economy
• Institute for Medical Engineering and Science
• Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies
• Institute for Work and Employment Research
• Internet Policy Research Initiative
• Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change
• Knight Science Journalism Program
• Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research
• Laboratory for Financial Engineering
• Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems
• Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity
• Laboratory for Nuclear Science
• Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship
• Lincoln Laboratory
• Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship
• Materials Research Laboratory
• McGovern Institute for Brain Research
• Microsystems Technology Laboratories
• MIT Center for Art, Science &​ Technology
• MIT Energy Initiative
• MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative
• MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research
• MIT Media Lab
• MIT Office of Innovation
• MIT Open Learning
• MIT Portugal Program
• MIT Professional Education
• MIT Sea Grant College Program
• Nuclear Reactor Laboratory
• Operations Research Center
• Picower Institute for Learning and Memory
• Plasma Science and Fusion Center
• Research Laboratory of Electronics
• Simons Center for the Social Brain
• Singapore-​MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre
• Sociotechnical Systems Research Center
• Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
• Women's and Gender Studies Program
• Architecture (SB, Course 4)
• Architecture (MArch)
• Art and Design (SB, Course 4-​B)
• Art, Culture, and Technology (SM)
• Architecture Studies (SMArchS)
• Media Arts and Sciences
• Planning (SB, Course 11)
• Urban Science and Planning with Computer Science (SB, Course 11-​6)
• Aeronautics and Astronautics Fields (PhD)
• Aerospace Engineering (SB, Course 16)
• Engineering (SB, Course 16-​ENG)
• Biological Engineering (SB, Course 20)
• Biological Engineering (PhD)
• Chemical Engineering (Course 10)
• Chemical-​Biological Engineering (Course 10-​B)
• Chemical Engineering (Course 10-​C)
• Engineering (Course 10-​ENG)
• Engineering (Course 1-​ENG)
• Computation and Cognition (Course 6-​9)
• Computer Science and Engineering (Course 6-​3)
• Computer Science and Molecular Biology (Course 6-​7)
• Electrical Engineering with Computing (Course 6-​5)
• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MEng)
• Computer Science and Molecular Biology (MEng)
• Health Sciences and Technology
• Archaeology and Materials (Course 3-​C)
• Materials Science and Engineering (Course 3)
• Materials Science and Engineering (Course 3-​A)
• Materials Science and Engineering (PhD)
• Mechanical Engineering (Course 2)
• Mechanical and Ocean Engineering (Course 2-​OE)
• Engineering (Course 2-​A)
• Nuclear Science and Engineering (Course 22)
• Engineering (Course 22-​ENG)
• Anthropology (Course 21A)
• Comparative Media Studies (CMS)
• Writing (Course 21W)
• Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (MASc)
• Economics (Course 14-​1)
• Economics (PhD)
• Mathematical Economics (Course 14-​2)
• Global Studies and Languages (Course 21G)
• History (Course 21H)
• Linguistics and Philosophy (Course 24-​2)
• Philosophy (Course 24-​1)
• Linguistics (SM)
• Literature (Course 21L)
• Music (Course 21M-​1)
• Theater Arts (Course 21M-​2)
• Political Science (Course 17)
• Science, Technology, and Society/​Second Major (STS)
• Business Analytics (Course 15-​2)
• Finance (Course 15-​3)
• Management (Course 15-​1)
• Biology (Course 7)
• Chemistry and Biology (Course 5-​7)
• Brain and Cognitive Sciences (Course 9)
• Chemistry (Course 5)
• Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (Course 12)
• Mathematics (Course 18)
• Mathematics (PhD)
• Mathematics with Computer Science (Course 18-​C)
• Physics (Course 8)
• Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• Institute for Data, Systems, and Society
• Chemistry and Biology
• Climate System Science and Engineering
• Computation and Cognition
• Computer Science and Molecular Biology
• Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science
• Humanities and Engineering
• Humanities and Science
• Urban Science and Planning with Computer Science
• African and African Diaspora Studies
• American Studies
• Ancient and Medieval Studies
• Applied International Studies
• Asian and Asian Diaspora Studies
• Biomedical Engineering
• Energy Studies
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Environment and Sustainability
• Latin American and Latino/​a Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Polymers and Soft Matter
• Public Policy
• Russian and Eurasian Studies
• Statistics and Data Science
• Women's and Gender Studies
• Advanced Urbanism
• Computational and Systems Biology
• Computational Science and Engineering
• Design and Management (IDM &​ SDM)
• Joint Program with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Leaders for Global Operations
• Microbiology
• Music Technology and Computation
• Operations Research
• Real Estate Development
• Social and Engineering Systems
• Supply Chain Management
• Technology and Policy
• Transportation
• School of Architecture and Planning
• School of Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making (Course 6-​4)
• Nuclear Science and Engineering (PhD)
• School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
• Humanities (Course 21)
• Humanities and Engineering (Course 21E)
• Humanities and Science (Course 21S)
• Sloan School of Management
• School of Science
• Brain and Cognitive Sciences (PhD)
• Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Fields (PhD)
• Interdisciplinary Programs (SB)
• Climate System Science and Engineering (Course 1-​12)
• Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science (Course 6-​14)
• Interdisciplinary Programs (Graduate)
• Biological Oceanography (PhD)
• Computation and Cognition (MEng)
• Computational Science and Engineering (SM)
• Computational Science and Engineering (PhD)
• Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science (MEng)
• Engineering and Management (SM)
• Leaders for Global Operations (MBA/​SM and SM)
• Music Technology and Computation (SM and MASc)
• Real Estate Development (SM)
• Statistics (PhD)
• Supply Chain Management (MEng and MASc)
• Technology and Policy (SM)
• Transportation (SM)
• Aeronautics and Astronautics (Course 16)
• Aerospace Studies (AS)
• Architecture (Course 4)
• Biological Engineering (Course 20)
• Civil and Environmental Engineering (Course 1)
• Comparative Media Studies /​ Writing (CMS)
• Comparative Media Studies /​ Writing (Course 21W)
• Computational and Systems Biology (CSB)
• Computational Science and Engineering (CSE)
• Concourse (CC)
• Data, Systems, and Society (IDS)
• Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (Course 12)
• Economics (Course 14)
• Edgerton Center (EC)
• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Course 6)
• Engineering Management (EM)
• Experimental Study Group (ES)
• Global Languages (Course 21G)
• Health Sciences and Technology (HST)
• Linguistics and Philosophy (Course 24)
• Management (Course 15)
• Media Arts and Sciences (MAS)
• Military Science (MS)
• Music (Course 21M)
• Naval Science (NS)
• Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
• Special Programs
• Supply Chain Management (SCM)
• Theater Arts (21T)
• Urban Studies and Planning (Course 11)
• Women's and Gender Studies (WGS)

MIT makes financial support available to graduate students from a variety of sources and in several different forms—fellowships, scholarships, traineeships, teaching and research assistantships, on-campus employment, and federal loans. Many forms of support are granted solely on the basis of merit, while others are granted on the basis of financial need or a combination of merit and need.

Unfortunately, neither a department nor the Institute itself has the financial resources to provide support for all deserving students. Thus, we advise all prospective students explore sources of aid available outside MIT, to find means of financing their graduate programs.

Information on  fellowships and other financial aid resources is available from individual departments as well as from the Office of Graduate Education (OGE). Information on graduate student loans is available on the Student Financial Services (SFS).

Fellowships, Assistantships, and Taxes

At MIT, a fellowship award to a graduate student covers full or partial tuition, and may also provide a stipend to help cover living expenses. In the context of graduate study, a scholarship covers full or partial tuition only. Although most awards are made on the basis of academic merit, financial need is a factor in some instances. 

Many individual, foundation, corporate, and government granting organizations provide external fellowship support for students. Students should apply directly to the granting organization for funding based on eligibility. Application deadlines typically fall between October 1 and May 1 of any given year.

Generous donors have provided MIT with permanent funds in support of fellowships , many of which have unique restrictions. MIT offices administer a number of these endowed internal fellowships through annual processes. Students who seek financial support from any of the fellowships administered by MIT should inform their academic department. The award process typically runs concurrently with the timeline for application for admission.

In accordance with a resolution of the U.S. Council of Graduate Schools (endorsed by most graduate schools), a student has until April 15 to accept or decline a fellowship offer. If a student does not reply to an offer by this date, it may be cancelled.

More information on both  external and internal fellowships , including links and tips for applying, is provided by the OGE.

Every student with a fellowship for graduate study at MIT must register as a full-time graduate student for the period of the fellowship. There are some fellowship limitations that apply to nonresident doctoral students , which can be viewed in the Graduate Policies page under Terms of Status. If a student withdraws from the Institute before tenure expires, the award must be relinquished, and the student will be required to refund any payment made in excess of tenure.

Teaching Assistantships

MIT employs about 1,300 graduate students each year as part-time or full-time teaching assistants (TAs) to assist the faculty in grading undergraduate quizzes, instructing in the classroom and laboratory, and conducting tutorials. Occasionally, graduate students with considerable teaching experience and proven teaching ability receive instructor-G (IG) appointments. The principal duties of an IG are similar in nature to those of a TA, with the exception that an IG is generally assigned more independent and/or advanced teaching responsibilities.

The departments regard seriously the benefits of a teaching assistantship as a preparation for a career in university teaching. Each year, the Institute offers a prize, the  Goodwin Medal , to graduate students that display particularly effective teaching practices.

The units for which an instructor or teaching assistant may register as a student are determined by the department in light of the student's assistantship duties, program of study, and compensation. Teaching assistants receive salaries as well as tuition remission for the services that they provide.

Appointments to teaching assistantships are made upon recommendation of the head of a department. A student who wishes to be considered for a teaching appointment should contact the departmental graduate administrator. Only full-time graduate students who are candidates for advanced degrees may be appointed. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for all teaching assistants who are US citizens or permanent residents.

Research Assistantships

Each year about 3,800 graduate students at MIT hold appointments as research assistants (RAs). The principal duty of a research assistant is to contribute to departmental or interdepartmental research.

Most students welcome the opportunity to participate as a junior colleague of a faculty member in an ongoing research project that frequently influences their choice of thesis topic. Appointments to research assistantships are made by the department head to full-time students who are candidates for advanced MIT degrees.

The units for which a research assistant may register are determined by the department in light of duties and program of study. Research assistants receive salaries and tuition remission for the services they provide, and are compensated on the basis of time devoted to their research.

Students who receive primary financial support from fellowships or other sources may receive supplementary appointments as teaching or research assistants in accordance with Institute and departmental guidelines.

Tuition payments made through fellowships as well as research and teaching appointments are nontaxable.

Stipends provided to teaching assistants, research assistants, and instructors-G are considered taxable income. TA, RA, and IG stipend payments to students who are US citizens and permanent residents are subject to withholding tax. MIT will issue a W-2 form to all students from whom this tax has been withheld.

Fellowship stipends are also legally taxable income. However, tax regulations do not allow for withholding federal and Massachusetts income taxes from the fellowship payments for students who are US citizens and permanent residents. Thus, students should plan for the tax obligation; no W-2 will be issued.

For international students, federal income tax is withheld from fellowship stipends at a flat rate depending on the student’s visa type; Massachusetts income tax is not automatically withheld, and it is the student’s responsibility to determine their state income tax amount and make estimated payments to the state, if necessary.

More information on tax rules for US and international graduate students is found on the OGE website. A helpful  two-page reference document [PDF]  is provided by the Office of the Vice President for Finance.

US Citizens

Graduate students may want to consider federal student loans first as these loans ordinarily have better terms and conditions. To establish eligibility for federal student loans, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the  Graduate Information Finance Form on the MIT Online Financial Aid System . The maximum amount that you can borrow in a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is $20,500 per year. Application forms and details of the application procedure may be obtained from SFS.

Students who need additional student loan funding (beyond the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan) may want to consider securing a Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan or private alternative loan. The Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan and private alternative loans may be used to borrow the remainder of a student's expenses. Learn more about graduate loans on the SFS website.

MIT does not maintain a preferred lender list, and believes it is inappropriate to endorse or recommend one private loan over another as students and their families have different needs and priorities.

International Students

Students who are not US citizens or who do not hold a permanent resident visa are not eligible for federal loans. International students must be prepared to meet their expenses without help from loans from MIT. International students may consider applying for loans from private sources as explained in the previous sections. Most of these loans will require a US-based co-signer.

Student Employment

SFS maintains listings of on-campus and off-campus job opportunities that are open to graduate students. Some positions are available directly through administrative offices on campus. Graduate students who hold full-time research or teaching assistantships or fellowships  and who are US citizens or permanent residents may typically work an additional 10 hours per week in such employment.

For international students, regulations regarding on-campus and off-campus employment depend on the student's visa type and other circumstances. Full details about student employment for international students are available on the International Students Office website.

US graduate students who complete the FAFSA and are eligible for Federal Work-Study may do paid community service. Wages are subsidized for students performing direct community service at approved nonprofit agencies.

Graduate Residents

Any graduate student at MIT may apply for a position as a  graduate resident advisor (GRA)  through Residential Education. The compensation for a GRA position includes a free room/apartment in the assigned residence during the appointment, plus a stipend of $730 per semester (which is taxable).

Veterans Benefits

MIT accepts a variety of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education benefits to help cover the cost of tuition, fees, and housing. In some cases, students may be eligible for multiple benefits. Benefits are administered much like other external funding sources, such as fellowships or scholarships, and may reduce the amount of any MIT department funding received. MIT’s Student Financial Services (SFS) works with student veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs to help students navigate the support they are eligible to receive. SFS also has a dedicated School Certifying Official who can help with the processing and certification of your benefits including:

• Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill®
• Chapter 35 Survivor and Dependent Educational Assistance
• Yellow Ribbon Benefits
• Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment

Please note that these programs have different packages and eligibility requirements.

Confirming MIT Program Eligibility

Students must confirm the program of interest is approved for the use of VA education benefits. For more information, read these directions on how to view a list of approved programs at MIT.

Certificate programs and professional learning opportunities at MIT that are not part of an undergraduate or graduate requirement are not eligible. The complete list of VA benefits eligible programs at MIT can be found on the VA’s WEAMS website .

Confirming Your VA Benefit Eligibility

It is the student’s responsibility to verify eligibility for a desired VA benefits program. Each program comes with its own unique requirements, which can significantly impact the MIT experience. These programs should be carefully reviewed, as each have different benefits and eligibility requirements; additionally, students may qualify for more than one program. In some instances, an initial benefits decision may be irrevocable, so it is critical to understand unique eligibility before making a final choice.

Adding or Dropping a Course

Changes to enrollment may impact or delay a student’s eligibility. Student Veteran Success (SVS) and SFS should be notified with any change in status as a student (e.g., dropping or adding a course, withdrawing after the beginning of a semester).

Enrollment Verification

Students receiving veterans benefits must verify their enrollment each term in order to be certified. MIT graduate student veterans who take a minimum of 21 units per term (7 VA credits) are considered to be registered full time. See individual program descriptions for more information on unit requirements.

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology adopts the following additional provisions for any students using US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA.

MIT will not:

• Prevent nor delay the student’s enrollment
• Assess a late penalty fee to the student
• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding
• Deny the student access to any resources available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution, including but not limited to access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities

However, to qualify for the above provision, veteran students may be required to:

• Produce the Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class
• Provide a written request to be certified
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies

Veteran students are responsible for charges above and beyond those covered by their VA benefits. For detailed information on undergraduate and graduate veterans benefits, visit the SFS website.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official US government website.

Print this page.

The PDF includes all information on this page and its related tabs. Subject (course) information includes any changes approved for the current academic year.

Financial Support

All Chemical Engineering graduate students in good standing are fully funded by the department. Funding in the Department of Chemical Engineering is available in the form of fellowships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships.  Students receive full tuition, a stipend, and individual health coverage.

Fellowships

Fellowships from MIT funds are typically limited to first-year graduate students. Funds for such awards are usually provided from gifts from alumni, from unrestricted industrial grants, or from the Provost’s Office in the form of Presidential Fellowships. Students do not usually apply for a Departmental fellowship; rather, it is an honor conferred by the Department. Students also are encouraged to apply for fellowships outside MIT, for which our students have an enviable record of success.  More information on Fellowships >>

Research Assistantships

Research assistantships are the most common support for advanced students. Research assistants (RAs) are supported from research contracts or grants, and are supervised by faculty members of the Department.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching assistantships are provided from the general MIT teaching funds and are administered by the Department through the Graduate Officer. All graduate students are expected to TA one term within the Department.  (the details for openings and selection are announced via email each semester).

In academic year 2022-2023, stipends for assistantships are $4,075 per month for PhD students and $3,462 for MSCEP students. The Department will also cover the cost of the MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan . Outside support sometimes exceeds the internal support level. If it does not, then it is supplemented up to the full internal support level.

For more information, visit the MIT Student Financial Service resources.

Graduate Funding

Any student admitted to an EAPS doctoral program can expect to receive financial support that includes a stipend, full tuition, and health insurance. First year support may be in the form of a fellowship or research assistantship. Support in the following years is most commonly from a research assistantship or teaching assistantship. Continuation of support for the length of a five-year program is based on the student making adequate progress toward the degree.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for independent fellowships from outside private agencies or government. If an independent fellowship falls below the EAPS level of support, the department will supplement this external fellowship with either a fellowship or research assistantship. If you are awarded a fellowship from some other source, please contact the  EAPS Education Office  to discuss department policy on merging various sources of support. 

The MIT Office of Graduate Education maintains comprehensive resources for funding opportunities, both internal and external, and provides advising and support.

Below is a representative list of some of the types of funding EAPS students have pursued.

Example External Funding Sources for Graduate Education

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Provides three years of support for graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees and is intended for students who are at the early stages of their graduate study.

NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities (NSTGRO) Seeks to sponsor U.S. citizen and permanent resident graduate students who show significant potential to contribute to NASA’s goal of creating innovative new space technologies for our Nation’s science, exploration and economic future. 

American Meteorological Society Graduate Fellowships Offered to students entering first-year graduate studies in atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences.

American Society for Engineering Education ASEE administers a number of fellowship and research opportunities with funding provided by the Federal agencies including the Department of Defense (DOD), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Office of Science Graduate Fellowship (SCGF) Program Supports outstanding graduate students pursuing graduate training in basic research in areas of physics, biology (non-medical), chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computational and computer sciences, and environmental sciences relevant to the Office of Science mission areas.

Fannie and John Hertz Foundation The Hertz Fellowship is awarded annually to the nation’s most promising graduate students in science and technology. Using a rigorous, merit-based process, we identify innovators with the greatest potential to create transformative solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges.

DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship Program Provides benefits and opportunities to students pursuing doctoral degrees in fields that use high-performance computing to solve complex science and engineering problems, including aeronautics, astrophysics, biological sciences, chemical engineering, chemistry, electrical engineering, environmental science, materials science, mechanical engineering, and physics.

Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity (GFSD)   Formerly the National Physical Science Consortium (NPSC), founded in 1989 “To increase the number of American citizens with graduate degrees in STEM fields, emphasizing recruitment of a diverse applicant pool.” Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity (GFSD) is a partnership between federal agencies & laboratories, industry, and higher education institutions.

Small Research Grants Available to Graduate Students

GSA Research Grants Program for Students The primary role of the GSA research grants program is to provide partial support of master’s and doctoral thesis research in the geological sciences for graduate students at universities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America. In 2006, 47% of the applicants received funding with the average award being $1963

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Grants-in-Aid Program The purpose of the Program is to foster research in the geosciences by providing support to graduate students in the earth sciences whose research has application to the search for and development of petroleum and energy-minerals resources, and to related environmental geology issues.

Smart. Open. Grounded. Inventive. Read our Ideas Made to Matter.

Which program is right for you?

Through intellectual rigor and experiential learning, this full-time, two-year MBA program develops leaders who make a difference in the world.

A rigorous, hands-on program that prepares adaptive problem solvers for premier finance careers.

A 12-month program focused on applying the tools of modern data science, optimization and machine learning to solve real-world business problems.

Earn your MBA and SM in engineering with this transformative two-year program.

Combine an international MBA with a deep dive into management science. A special opportunity for partner and affiliate schools only.

A doctoral program that produces outstanding scholars who are leading in their fields of research.

Bring a business perspective to your technical and quantitative expertise with a bachelor’s degree in management, business analytics, or finance.

A joint program for mid-career professionals that integrates engineering and systems thinking. Earn your master’s degree in engineering and management.

An interdisciplinary program that combines engineering, management, and design, leading to a master’s degree in engineering and management.

Executive Programs

A full-time MBA program for mid-career leaders eager to dedicate one year of discovery for a lifetime of impact.

This 20-month MBA program equips experienced executives to enhance their impact on their organizations and the world.

Non-degree programs for senior executives and high-potential managers.

A non-degree, customizable program for mid-career professionals.

All students are granted a financial package that follows the general guidelines below. Please note that figures are for current academic year.

• Our funding package covers a period of five years, guaranteed to doctoral students in good academic standing.
• Students receive full academic year tuition plus a monthly fellowship stipend (current rate $4,654 per month) and/or TA/RA salary for each of 12 months per year.
• Students receive 12 terms of fellowship stipend during their 15 terms (summer, fall, spring) in the program; TA/RA provides salary for the balance of 3 terms. 
• Student medical insurance is provided, currently valued at $3,237 per year. 
• A new laptop computer is supplied at the beginning of the first and fourth years (estimated value of $2,000 each).
• A $4,500 conference travel and research budget is allocated over 5 years in the program.

Should you require additional funding, information on loans may be obtained from Student Financial Services .

Graduate and Post-Doctoral Fellowships

• Benefits Eligibility for Postdoctoral Fellows
• Benefits of Postdoctoral Associates Compared with Fellows
• Equalizing Insurance Cost for Associates and Fellows

What is a Fellowship?

Fellowship awards are generally made to individual applicants. MIT agrees to administer the awards on behalf of the recipients. These awards are generally funded in response to proposals, which are routed through, and endorsed by, the Research Administration Services. Each sponsor's terms and conditions must be reviewed for MIT acceptability.

Awards are generally modest amounts. Support of the fellow is provided as a stipend. Sometimes a modest research allowance is included which may be used for health insurance, materials and supplies, travel, or computer purchase. Purchases must be made under the supervision of the faculty sponsor.

Fellowship awards made to faculty members are not covered by this guidance.

Graduate Fellows

Financial support for graduate students in the form of fellowships— covering a cash award to the fellow, tuition, and an additional allowance to MIT— is subject to the rules and regulations of the committee on Graduate School Policy. Faculty members who are soliciting fellowships should consult with the appropriate department head and the Dean for Graduate Education before making commitments.

MIT Graduate Fellowship Appointments are described in MIT Policies and Procedures Section 8.2.4

Postdoctoral Fellows

A Postdoctoral Fellow is an individual who is performing independent research to further their education and research. The fellow usually works under the supervision of MIT faculty members and uses the facilities of the Institute. However, this individual is not required to perform any specific research under the direction of any individual or employer. It is common for the Fellow to collaborate with others who are working on similar research or to discuss possibilities or alternatives concerning the research with colleagues and receive assistance, suggestions, guidance or advice.

Fellows are expected to observe the policies and procedures of the Institute regarding conduct and behavior consistent with employees and visitors. To that extent the Institute exercises some behavioral control over all individuals. The important consideration is that the fellow maintains the final decision(s) regarding the direction of their research and is performing independently.

A fellow is usually provided with a monthly stipend, the purpose of which is to support the fellow during their research. This stipend is not a salary because the fellow is not an employee, not hired by MIT to perform research. This income is referred to as "unearned" income by the IRS.

MIT Postdoctoral Fellowship Appointments are described in MIT Policies and Procedures Section 5.3.3

Taxable Status

• Stipends are taxable.
• VPF Payroll Information For Post-Doctoral Fellows And Associates  (VPF - 2018)

Cost Objects and Indirect Costs

• "Fund Sponsored" fellowship WBS are created for sponsored Graduate and Postdoctoral fellowship awards.
• MIT grants a waiver of indirect costs and the 10% fund transaction fee for Graduate and Postdoctoral fellowship awards. The waiver is not extended to faculty fellowship awards.

Proposal Processing

For most fellowships, the faculty sponsor is listed as the Investigator in the KC proposal and the fellow is listed as a Key Person. These designations are kept at the award stage. On fellowship proposals, both the fellow and the faculty sponsor must certify. To ensure the fellow certifies when they are listed as a key person, use one of the methods below:

• If the Sponsor is among the COI hierarchy, KC will automatically require a certification.
• In instances where the Sponsor is not among the COI hierarchy, add a KP flag under Supplemental Information.

NOTE: If the certifying party does NOT have an MIT Kerberos ID, a guest account MUST be obtained in order for them to certify. Please allow three days from the time of request to the time of adding the individual to a proposal. This will provide sufficient time for the account to be created and fed to Kuali Coeus.

Fellowship Agreement Form for Non-Federal Sponsors

Template Form for Fellowship Agreements with Non-Federal Sponsors [DOCX]

RAS Contacts

For all fellowships, please contact the RAS Contract Administrator you normally work with.

• About Ian Waitz
• Our Mission
• Engagement Principles
• Staff Directory
• Who Reports to the VPR?
• Infinite Mile Awards
• News and Announcements
• Labs, Centers and Institutes
• Assessing and Mitigating Risk
• Set Up Your CITI Account
• Take CITI Courses
• Affiliate Previous CITI Training
• Environmental Health and Safety
• Definitions
• Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs)
• Fundamental Research
• Regulations
• Restricted Party Screening
• Conference Presentations Abroad
• Financial Transactions
• International Research Collaborations
• International Scientists Visiting MIT
• International Shipping
• Cuba Travel Guidance
• Event and Program Vetting Information for Export Control
• Using Restricted Material at MIT
• Working with International Staff and Students
• Working with Lincoln Laboratory
• Forms and Tools
• Contact MIT Export Control
• Financial Conflicts of Interest in Research
• Grant Review and Other Academic Activities
• International Travel and Conferences
• Informal Collaborations
• Proposal Disclosures
• Protecting Inventions and Intellectual Property
• Countries Presenting Added Risk
• Regulations: Non-U.S. Activity
• The Entity List and Specially Designated Nationals
• Foreign Talent Programs
• Undue Foreign Influence
• Peer Review
• Procurement Integrity
• Research Compliance Committees
• Best Practices For Preventing Research Misconduct
• General Misconduct and Questionable Research Practices
• Professional Conduct
• Supplement to MIT Procedures 10.1 Research Misconduct
• Research Subjects
• RECR Training Reports
• RECR Notifications
• Calendar of Limited Submission Opportunities
• Early Career Award List
• Foundation Funding
• Internal Funding Opportunities
• Pivot Comprehensive Funding Search Tool
• Banting Fellowships
• Schmidt Science Fellowship
• Prestigious Prizes and Awards
• Broader Impacts Statements
• PI Guide to Writing a PIER Plan
• Policies and Procedures for VPR Units
• Policy on Late Submission of Proposals
• Principal and Other Investigator Status Guidelines and Process
• Guidelines for Fellowship Proposals - Proposing fellowship Activities
• Federal Lobbying Regulations
• Common Fellowship Sponsors
• Equalizing Insurance Costs
• Accounting and Operating Procedures
• Core Facilities and Service Centers
• Research Computing
• MIT Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR)
• Instructions for Department Administrators
• Instructions for Financial Primary Authorizers
• Under-recovery Pilot
• Quick Guide for PIs

Summer research programs

Mit offers a variety of summer research opportunities for current undergraduate students interested in enhancing their education and developing their research skills to become competitive graduate applicants.  .

Below is a selection of programs and research opportunities geared toward undergraduate students. For non-MIT programs, please visit  PathwaysToScience.org  for a searchable database of 650+ summer research programs in all STEM disciplines.

Broad Institute Summer Research Program (BSRP)

The Broad Summer Research Program (BSRP), funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute, is a national program designed for undergraduate students who have a commitment to research and an interest in genomics.  The program has a strong record of success in helping students to nurture their passion for research and succeed in graduate school and scientific careers.

Please visit the  Broad Summer Research Program  website for further details.

CCHF Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Program (CSURP)

The Center for Selective C-H Functionalization (CCHF) Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Program (CSURP) provides an opportunity for undergraduate students with a strong interest in the chemical sciences to conduct supervised research with a faculty mentor, graduate students, and postdocs within the Center’s extensive network.

Please visit the CSURP website for further details.

Center for Energy Efficient Electronics Science Summer Research Program (E 3 S REU)

E 3 S REU is a 9-week summer residential program that offers rising juniors or seniors in Bachelor of Science or Engineering programs the opportunity to conduct research in the laboratories of E 3 S faculty. Participants of this competitive merit-based program undertake cutting edge electrical engineering, material science, physics and chemistry research projects.

Please visit the  E 3 S REU  website for further details.

Materials Science and Engineering Center (MSREC)

The Materials Science and Engineering Center collaborates with the Materials Processing Center to offer a nine-week summer research internship program. The objective of the program is to provide undergraduates with an opportunity to immerse themselves in exciting materials research as part of a team of graduate students and postdoctoral associates under the leadership of MSREC faculty.

Please visit the  MSREC  website for further details.

Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology Summer Institute in Biomedical Optics

The HST Summer Institute offers a unique opportunity for outstanding undergraduate college students considering a career in biomedical engineering and medical science. This highly competitive program offers a hands-on research experience in a scientific community internationally recognized for its leadership and commitment to excellence.

Please visit the  HST Summer Institute  website for further details.

Lincoln Labs Summer Research Program

Each summer, the Laboratory offers undergraduate and graduate students the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a leading-edge research environment. Program participants contribute to projects and gain experience that complements their courses of study. In recent summers, we’ve hired more than 200 students representing top universities.

Please visit the  Lincoln Labs Summer Research Program  website for further details.

MIT Summer Research Program-Bio (MSRP-Bio)

10-week research-intensive summer training program to advanced non-MIT sophomore and junior science majors who have an interest in a research career.

Please visit the  MSRP Bio  website for further details.

MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) – General

This nine-week, fully funded summer program brings together a talented pool of underrepresented minorities and underserved students to engage in on-campus research led by dedicated MIT faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. It is an invaluable experience for any student considering further graduate education.

Please visit the  MIT Summer Research Program  website for further details.

MIT-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) Summer Student Fellow Program

A research project is at the heart of the Summer Student Fellowship program. All Fellows are expected to work on a project selected in collaboration with their sponsor(s) that will provide meaningful results in one summer’s work. Project topics span the vast spectrum of research in ocean sciences and engineering conducted in WHOI’s science departments and the Woods Hole Field Station of the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Please visit the  MIT-WHOI Summer Student Fellow Program  website for further details.

Philosophy in an Inclusive Key Summer Institutes (PIKSI)

Philosophy in an Inclusive Key Summer Institutes are designed to encourage undergraduates from underrepresented groups to consider future study of philosophy. Undergraduates and recent graduates from underrepresented groups such as women, African Americans, Chicano/as and Latino/as, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Paci c Islanders, LGBTs, economically disadvantaged communities, and people with disabilities are urged to apply.

Please visit the PIKSI website for further details.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates at the MIT Haystack Observatory

Haystack Observatory invites undergraduate science, engineering, and computer science students to apply for summer research positions. Support is provided by the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. Women, minorities, and students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Please visit the  REU at the MIT Haystack Observatory  website for further details.

This site uses cookies to give you the best possible experience. By browsing our website, you agree to our use of cookies.

If you require further information, please visit the Privacy Policy page.

• Staff & Faculty Directory
• Disability Accommodations
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
• Major Awards
• Our Community Values
• Our History
• Quality of Life Committee
• Areas of Research
• Facilities and Centers
• Instructors
• Postdoctoral Research and Resources
• Graduate Program
• Undergraduate Programs
• Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory
• Our Chemistry Education Office
• Elementary Schools
• High Schools
• Community Relations and Outreach
• Contact our Development Officer
• Funds to Support
• Meet Our Major Supporters

Catherine Hazard

Image courtesy of the subject.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Catherine Hazard

Chemistry Graduate Student Catherine Hazard describes her research and answers 20 random questions as part of the Graduate Student Spotlight series.

• What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Last June after graduation my family and I travelled to Costa Rica! The nature and wildlife was stunning to witness, and the beaches were absolutely beautiful.
• Who would be the best person you could be stuck in an elevator with? Probably the elevator technician to help fix it.
• What are some small things that make your day better? I always love a vanilla iced coffee in the morning and a nice walk outside with my labmates.
• What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation? Taylor Swift, for sure ❤️ I keep track of The Eras Tour like some people keep track of the NFL.
• What’s worth spending more on to get the best? A nice mattress. Good sleep is so important.
• What irrational fear do you have? I am deathly afraid of needles to the point that I have passed out getting my flu shot multiple times.
• If you could have a never-ending candle that smelled like anything you wanted, what fragrance would you want it to be? Anything citrusy or beachy
• What was your favorite book as a child, and what is your favorite book now? I absolutely loved The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane growing up. And the Tale of Desperaux. Now it might be Lessons in Chemistry. I will eat up a predictable romance novel no matter how cheesy it is.
• If you built a themed hotel, what would the theme be and what would the rooms look like? Plant themed. There would be so much natural sunlight, fresh air, and gorgeous greenery and florals in every room.
• What food do you crave most often? I will never say no to pasta.
• What is your secret talent? I’m a dancer! I really like ballet, contemporary and jazz.
• What’s something common from your childhood that will seem strange to future generations? I was a big Leapster kid, now there are just iPad kids.
• What is on your bucket list? I really want to travel to Europe soon! High on the list to visit are Italy, Spain, and Greece.
• What are your top three favorite movies? The Greatest Showman, Hidden Figures, and The Parent Trap
• Who is the most famous person you have met? Misty Copeland! I danced with her in my ballet company’s Nutcracker growing up. It was so exciting to be able to perform alongside an American Ballet Theatre Principal ballerina.
• What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue? I wish I knew how to play the piano.
• What would be your ideal way to spend the weekend? In the summer time, an ideal weekend would include waking up early to head to the beach all day and going out to a nice restaurant in the evening. Or a day out on the lake tubing and wakeboarding with my friends and family.
• What inconsequential super power would you like to have? Teleportation would be so cool.
• Who would be in the lineup for your ideal music festival? The Band Camino, Noah Kahan, The 1975, Valley, The Strike (and Taylor of course too)
• What problem or situation did TV / movies make you think would be common, but when you grew up you found out it wasn’t? Quicksand. I always thought one day I’d be in a situation to escape it but thankfully that is not common in New England.

Related Stories

Department of Chemistry hosts the Third Annual Future Faculty Symposium

Alex Shalek named director of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science

The art of the enzyme

Graduate Student Spotlight: Reuben Allen

We are currently updating the graduate section of our website. If you experience any technical issues, please check back tomorrow. Thank you for your patience!

Funding and aid: Support for graduate students in need

We know that financial stress can affect individual well-being and academic success. MIT can provide some assistance to graduate students experiencing financial hardships arising from a variety of circumstances. These resources are not loans, and do not need to be repaid. Funds disbursed are tax-reportable income and may reduce eligibility for educational loans.

Graduate students may be eligible for the following assistance programs:

• Guaranteed Transitional Support (for students who wish to change research advisors or groups)
• MIT Grant for Graduate Students with Children
• Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Fund
• Doctoral Long-term Financial Hardship Funding

• Diversity & Inclusion
• Community Values
• Visiting MIT Physics
• People Directory
• Faculty Awards
• History of MIT Physics
• Policies and Procedures
• Departmental Committees
• Academic Programs Team
• Finance Team
• Meet the Academic Programs Team
• Prospective Students
• Requirements
• Employment Opportunities
• Research Opportunities
• Graduate Admissions
• Doctoral Guidelines
• Financial Support
• Graduate Student Resources
• PhD in Physics, Statistics, and Data Science
• MIT LEAPS Program
• Physics Student Groups
• for Undergraduate Students
• for Graduate Students
• Mentoring Programs Info for Faculty
• Non-degree Programs
• Student Awards & Honors
• Astrophysics Observation, Instrumentation, and Experiment
• Astrophysics Theory
• Atomic Physics
• Condensed Matter Experiment
• Condensed Matter Theory
• High Energy and Particle Theory
• Nuclear Physics Experiment
• Particle Physics Experiment
• Quantum Gravity and Field Theory
• Quantum Information Science
• Strong Interactions and Nuclear Theory
• Center for Theoretical Physics
• Affiliated Labs & Centers
• Program Founder
• Competition
• Donor Profiles
• Patrons of Physics Fellows Society
• Giving Opportunties
• physics@mit Journal: Fall 2023 Edition
• Events Calendar
• Physics Colloquia
• Search for: Search

Financial Support for Graduate Students

Types of financial support.

PhD students in Physics are fully funded in each year they are in the program and remain in good standing. Financial support provides for full tuition, a monthly living stipend, and 12 months of health insurance.

Note: For more detailed information regarding the cost of attendance, including specific costs for tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food as well as transportation, please visit the Student Financial Services (SFS) website .

There are three sources of financial support:

• Fellowships (internal and external)
• Research Assistantships
• Teaching Assistantships

General Information:

Full-time registration for all PhD students, whether funded by fellowship or by a research or teaching assistantship, is 36 academic units. The normal course load for students with a full-time RA or TA who have not yet completed their qualifying exams is two academic subjects; students supported by a fellowship in the first year, before joining a research group, sometimes enroll in three subjects.

Students with an RA or TA are expected to spend full time on education and assigned duties, and may not engage in any other activity for compensation without the specific approval of the Department Head.

Annual and monthly stipend rates for RAs and TAs are determined each spring, and students are informed of the next year’s rates by the Academic Programs Office. While there are varying levels of stipend funding allowed by MIT, it is the policy of the Physics Department that all our students are provided the same stipend in any individual academic year.

If a student loses RA support because of termination of a research contract, the Department will provide support for one additional term (in the form of a TA) and will make every effort to help the student identify a new source of support.

The periods for graduate appointments are as follows:

• Fellows : Fall: 9/1 to 1/15; Spring: 1/16 to 5/31; Summer: 6/1 to 8/31
• RAs : Fall: 9/1 to 1/15; Spring: 1/16 to 5/31; Summer: 6/1 to 8/31
• TAs : Fall: 9/1 to 1/15; Spring: 1/16 to 5/31

Fellowships

The Physics Department provides internal fellowship funding to a number of the students admitted each year. The majority of these internal, donor-funded fellowships are for the first year in the program, covering twelve months; a small number of three- and five-year fellowships are also awarded. There is no application process for departmental fellowships; all admitted candidates are considered for them.

A student beginning PhD study with a fellowship has a great deal of flexibility in planning his or her graduate program and in seeking out a research group. Each fellowship recipient is responsible for finding a research group that will provide funding once the fellowship support has been used; students with multi-year fellowships are expected to have joined a research group by the beginning of the second year. Additional information on fellowships for graduate students in physics is available through the Office for Graduate Education .

Research Assistantships (RAs)

Research assistants receive full tuition, living stipend, and health insurance in exchange for conducting research on behalf of a faculty member. This faculty member also serves as the supervisor of the student’s individual research project that will become the PhD thesis.

RA work generally covers the full academic year, including summer. The amount of time spent on RA duties depends on the time needed for required course work as well as the requirements of the research group. For new graduate students taking classes and preparing for the general examination, research duties normally require 20 hours per week or less. After two to three years, research usually becomes full-time.

In addition to courses, students conducting research register each term for a research subject, providing academic credit for research work. The number of units varies from 12 to 36 according to the approximate time spent weekly on research. Research subjects include:

• Pre-Thesis Research (8.391, fall; 8.392, spring and summer): students who have not yet completed the General Examinations
• Thesis Research (8.THG); all students after passing the Oral Exam

Teaching Assistantships (TAs)

Teaching assistants receive full tuition, living stipend, and health insurance in exchange for supporting the Department’s teaching program. TA responsibilities can include grading homework and exams, tutoring, conducting office hours, or, less often, teaching sections of a course. TA work requires up to 20 hours per week in addition to research or class work the student is engaged in. TAs register for 12 units of Physics Teaching (8.399), which provides academic credit for their work.

Having a TA appointment can serve a variety of purposes:

• support departmental teaching needs
• encourage students who wish to hone their teaching skills
• help alleviate funding pressures on the faculty
• facilitate a student’s transition to a different research group

TA assignment process:

Students may request nomination as a TA, or they may be assigned a term as a TA by their research supervisor.

Each of the four divisions in the department has a standard guaranteed number of TA positions per term. Research supervisors submit names of students to be considered for TAs to the Division Head, who compiles the division’s list and provides it to the Academic Programs Office.

Students on the department’s TA list are asked to select their top choices among the subjects offered in the upcoming term, and every effort is made by the TA Faculty Coordinator to match student requests when possible. Teaching faculty may also request a specific student to be assigned to their course.

While TA appointments are typically made only after the first year, very occasionally a first-year graduate student will be supported by a nine-month (fall and spring) TA appointment. Students with a first-year TA normally join a research group and are supported by an RA beginning in their first summer.

Teaching Resources:

• Teaching Assistant handbook

Switching Research Groups

While many students continue from their first RA to a thesis in the same group, others elect to change research groups, for a variety of reasons. An RA who wishes to change groups or research direction should feel comfortable reaching out to talk to other professors about different opportunities.

However, students are responsible for notifying their current supervisor of their intention to leave a group, and they are expected to continue working in the research group as long as it is providing funding.

To facilitate a transition between research groups, each student is guaranteed one semester of transitional funding in the form of a TA.

Students who wish to discuss their interest in changing their research group are welcome to talk with Academic Administrator Shannon Larkin or with Graduate Student Advocate Claude Canizares at any time.

Students & Educators  —Menu

• Educational Resources
• Educators & Faculty
• College Planning
• ACS ChemClub
• Project SEED
• U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad
• Student Chapters
• ACS Meeting Information
• Undergraduate Research
• Internships, Summer Jobs & Coops
• Study Abroad Programs
• Finding a Mentor
• Two Year/Community College Students
• Social Distancing Socials
• Grants & Fellowships
• Career Planning
• International Students
• Planning for Graduate Work in Chemistry
• ACS Bridge Project
• Graduate Student Organizations (GSOs)
• Standards & Guidelines
• Explore Chemistry
• Science Outreach
• Publications
• ACS Student Communities
• LEADS Conference
• ChemMatters
• You are here:
• American Chemical Society
• Students & Educators

Grants, Fellowships, and Awards

• ACS Grants ACS offers grants to support the advancement of the chemical sciences through research, education, and community projects. Learn how you can benefit.
• EPA Grants and Fellowships The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Center for Environmental Research runs competitions for STAR grants, graduate and undergraduate fellowships, research contracts under the Small Business Innovative Research Program, and other research assistance programs.

Fellowships

• Ford Foundation Fellowship Programs Through its Fellowship Programs, the Ford Foundation seeks to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties. These programs provide fellowship support at the predoctoral, dissertation and postdoctoral levels. The Ford Foundation Fellowship Programs offer approximately 60 predoctoral awards, 35 awards for dissertation research and 24 postdoctoral awards each year.
• NIST Boulder Laboratories: Professional Research Experience Program Provides valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students. Fellowships are awarded to assure continued growth and progress of science and engineering in the United States.
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) The GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based Master's and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions.  Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The NSF GRFP offers 2,000 Fellowships each year.
• Cornell University Graduate Fellowship Database Find U.S. and international fellowships through Cornell University’s fellowship index.

ACS and Other Awards

• Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholars Recognition Program Recognizes talented graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in the chemical sciences who demonstrate leadership in mentoring, promotion of DEIR (Diveristy, Equity, Inclusion, Respect), and promotion of research safety. 
• The American Chemical Society Bridge Travel Award for Graduate Students The ACS Bridge Project Student Travel Award is meant to defray travel and/or registration costs to the Spring National Meeting and Exposition. The aim of this travel award is to advance the career and professional development of underrepresented minority (URM) chemical science graduate students by helping to support the students' effort in presenting at the ACS National Meeting. Each award covers the cost of eligible expenses up to $2,500. This award is currently only offered in 2020.
• New Opportunities AAC&U: The K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award Recognizes graduate students who show exemplary promise as future leaders of higher education; who demonstrate a commitment to developing academic and civic responsibility in themselves and others; and whose work reflects a strong emphasis on teaching and learning.
• ACS Division of Cellulose & Renewable Material: The Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Cellulose or Renewable Materials Research Award consists of a check for $2,000, up to $500 for ACS Spring national meeting travel expenses, and an individual plaque honoring the recipient's accomplishment.
• Henkel Award (formerly the AkzoNobel Award) for Outstanding Graduate Research in Polymer Chemistry Recognizes a graduate student or recent graduate who has completed an outstanding Ph.D. thesis in research related to Polymer Chemistry in US or Canada. Nominees will be judged on the basis of their contribution to the thesis research, the quality and level of innovation demonstrated, and the impact of their research on the science, engineering, or technology of synthetic polymers or biopolymers.
• ACS Division of Organic Chemistry: Technical Achievements in Organic Chemistry Recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of organic chemistry from Bachelor's and Master's level chemists, or their equivalents, pursuing careers in chemical industry at research institutes.
• International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Prize for Young Chemists The IUPAC Prize for Young Chemists will be given for the most outstanding Ph.D. theses in the general area of the chemical sciences, as described in a 1000-word essay.

Funding for International Researchers in the U.S.

The ACS Student and Postdoctoral Scholars Office complied a list of funding opportunities for international graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty working in the U.S. Please visit the funders website to learn about program updates and most current information.

Download curated list

New Opportunities

Travel and Other Awards

• I&EC Division Graduate Student Award Symposium
• ACS Bridge Travel Award for Graduate Students

Research & Postdoctoral Fellowships

• Scholarships & Fellowships
• CIBA/YCC Young Scientist Travel Award
• Sigma Xi: Student Research Presentation
• TSRC: Application for Telluride School on Theoretical Chemistry

Accept & Close The ACS takes your privacy seriously as it relates to cookies. We use cookies to remember users, better understand ways to serve them, improve our value proposition, and optimize their experience. Learn more about managing your cookies at Cookies Policy .

1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA |  service@acs.org  | 1-800-333-9511 (US and Canada) | 614-447-3776 (outside North America)

• Terms of Use
• Accessibility

Copyright © 2024 American Chemical Society

Get the Reddit app

A community for chemists and those who love chemistry

Should I go to Harvard, MIT, or Princeton for a chemistry PhD?

I definitely don’t intend to come off as bragging, but I’m genuinely unsure which school would be best. I haven’t gone to any visiting weekends but I’d appreciate some insight on each program. My end term goal would be to work in industry doing pharmaceutical research and the research I would do in graduate school would be either total synthesis,methodology, or integrate organic chemistry with chemical biology.

I have some personal things about each school however.

Harvard: they gave me a really nice fellowship that covers my tuition and stipend for 3 out of 5 years. This means the department or PI won’t pay for me and I’m coming with some funding. I’ve also had 5 professors from the department call me asking if I had considered their program and they all asked me to join their labs.

Princeton: reached out to by 2 professors and the graduate student of the Macmillan lab saying they were interested in my application and want to zoom with me

MIT: only school where a PI hasn’t contacted me

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue