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MES/COLA/OGS Fellowships

All applicants and current students are automatically considered for University fellowships, internal scholarships, in-state tuition waivers, and academic employment. Students are encouraged to apply for the FLAS to increase their odds of receiving funding.

All students

Khurshid Ahmad Memorial Fellowship

The Khurshid Ahmad Memorial Fellowship is intended to supplement a student’s summer study of a Middle Eastern language in the Middle East. Established by CMES MA alumna Sophia Ahmad in honor of her late father, the award is open to both undergraduate and graduate students in Middle Eastern Studies. Review the 2025 Call for Applications which includes instructions on how to apply. 

Eligibility: Priority will be given to students undertaking study of Arabic, Kurdish, or Turkish. Applicants must have taken at least two semesters of Arabic or Turkish at UT. Applicants who will undertake study of Kurdish are exempt from this requirement as the language is not offered at UT. The recipient must use the fellowship to study a Middle Eastern language in the Middle East (no requirements for the specific program) and their financial need will also be evaluated.

Stipend: $500

2025 Deadline: May 15, 2025

Masters-level

Ann Grabhorn-Friday Endowed Presidential Fellowship in Middle Eastern Studies

The Ann Grabhorn-Friday Fellowship is offered only to master's students with a demonstrated long-term interest in the Middle East. Students who are learning Arabic and whose studies focus on the Arab world are eligible. Awards may be used for language or area studies at UT or at an approved overseas institution. Continuing and incoming students are automatically considered for this award each year. 

Eligibility: Master's students in good standing at UT with a minimum GPA of 3.50 and admitted without conditions. Must be studying Arabic in the Master's program.
Stipend: $3,500 - $7,000 per academic year

Ph.D.-level

College of Liberal Arts Fellowships

These prestigious awards are offered by the College of Liberal Arts (COLA) to:

  • Attract top-quality Ph.D. students to UT Austin. Applicants who are deemed to be in the top ten percent of national peer groups as measured by GRE scores and grade point average may be nominated for these fellowships.

  • To support outstanding graduate students who excel in their respective fields.

Eligibility: Incoming/current graduate students nominated by the department. Ph.D. and PhD-track only.
Stipend: $10,000 - $20,000; tuition coverage for 9 credit hours of coursework per semester; insurance stipend.

Graduate School Recruitment Fellowships

Eligibility:  Recruitment fellowships are prestigious awards funded by the Graduate School to attract top-quality graduate students to The University of Texas at Austin. Graduate advisers have the vital role of identifying and nominating eligible applicants. To be eligible, students may not be currently or previously enrolled in the Graduate School, and must rank within the top 10 percent of all students in their discipline.

Stipend:  $36,000 for 12 months (more for some fellowships).

Graduate School Fellowships 

Academically competitive students who are continuing in the Ph.D. program will be automatically considered for these awards.

Eligibility: Graduate students in good standing, there is All applicants and current students are automatically considered for University fellowships, internal scholarships, in-state tuition waivers, and academic employment. Students are encouraged to apply for the FLAS to increase their odds of receiving funding.

Stipend: $1,000 - $26,000 applied toward tuition and fees; eligibile for resident tuition rates