Fellowships
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation supports world-class graduate students through two fellowship programs–the Jefferson Fellowship Program and the National Fellowship Program.
Jefferson Fellowship
The Jefferson Fellowship is the premier graduate fellowship offered at the Darden School of Business, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and the Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science. Based solely on merit, Jefferson Fellowships are designed to identify Ph.D. and M.B.A. candidates who demonstrate outstanding achievement and the highest promise as scholars, teachers, public servants, and business leaders in the United States and beyond. Once selected, Jefferson Fellows are charged with furthering the quality of education, intellectual life, and mission of the University through their academic pursuits and community engagement.
Darden School of Business
Jefferson Fellows in the Darden School of Business will receive:
- A living stipend of $20,000 renewable for two years
- Research and travel funds up to $7,000
- Tuition and fees
- Health insurance (medical and dental)
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Jefferson Fellows in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences participate in a two-year program and will receive:
Dissertation Completion Year
- A living stipend equivalent to the standard departmental stipend
- Research funds up to $5,000 across both years
- Tuition and fees
- Health insurance (medical and dental)
Postdoctoral Year
- Postdoctoral Research Associate salary, consistent with first-year teaching Postdoctoral appointee as determined by UVA’s Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs
- Standard academic fringe benefit package for Research Associates as designed by UVA’s Office of Human Resources. The current fringe benefit includes provisions for retirement, health insurance, social security, and other benefits.
Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science
Jefferson Fellows in the Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are nominated by the departments to which they applied. Recipients of the Fellowship will receive:
- $5,000 in year one and $10,000 in years two through five, in addition to their standard departmental financial package
- Research funds up to $2,500
National Fellowship
The National Fellowship supports outstanding scholars at leading institutions of higher education, including UVA, who are completing dissertations in United States politics, with an emphasis on historical and institutional analyses of politics, public policy, and foreign relations. National Fellows receive:
- Training workshops to enhance skills relevant to leadership in academic research, higher education, and related institutional endeavors
- One year of support for dissertation research and writing, with the possibility of a second
- A stipend of $30,000 in the first year, potentially renewable for a second
- Mentoring from a renowned senior scholar in the field
- Research funds up to $5,000
- Opportunity to form and lead a research network centered on selected area of expertise
