Graduate Diversity Doctoral Fellowship Award

Graduate Diversity Fellowship at Clemson University, Clemson South Carolina

Clemson University provides limited funding to support the institutional goal to increase the enrollment and retention of underrepresented domestic doctoral students of color who are pursuing the professoriate. Funding for the fellowship is provided by the Division of Inclusion and Equity. The Graduate Diversity Fellowship committee, made up of representatives from the Division of Inclusion and Equity, the Office of Access and Equity and the Graduate School, offers a variety of financial assistance opportunities for eligible students pursuing doctoral degrees at Clemson University.

The Diversity Fellowship Program considers requests received directly from students or programs for financial support totaling $5,000 annually for up to four years, depending on need and/or merit. Additionally, a professional development stipend totaling $2,000 is available to be utilized over the course of the recipient’s program of study. The Graduate Diversity Fellowship Committee meets several times throughout the year to make awards to incoming students. Continuing fellowship support is determined following a review of academic progress at the end of each semester. Students must demonstrate full-time enrollment and satisfactory progress for continuation funds to be awarded. All recipients must sign a contract obligating them to the terms of the fellowship.

  • How to Apply

    The deadline for applications is April 15th prior to the fall in which the student plans to enroll. Download the application here.

    In addition to the application, a cover letter is required to explain any information that would help the committee understand the student’s need for funding. The application packet should also include some documentation of annual income from the previous year (copy of tax return or financial aid application). The completed application packet may be sent to the address below. To submit an application during this time, please contact Jerry Knighton at knightl@clemson.edu.

    Office of Access and Equity
    Clemson University
    223 Brackett Hall
    Clemson, SC 29634-5404

  • Other Funding Opportunities

    SREB Doctoral Scholars Program
    The Office of Access and Equity, in collaboration with the Graduate School, also serves as the liaison for the SREB Doctoral Scholars Program. Doctoral students are encouraged to apply directly to SREB for these scholarships. The Doctoral Scholars Program is part of a nationwide initiative, the Compact for Faculty Diversity, to produce more minority Ph.D.s and to encourage them to seek faculty positions. Developed with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Ford Foundation, the program offers financial support and other services to doctoral scholars nationwide. As a highlight each year, SREB hosts the Institute on Teaching and Mentoring which is the largest gathering of minority doctoral scholars in the country.

    The SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program offers two awards to students who are pursuing Ph.D.s and plan to become college and university professors. If you are eligible, you are invited to apply for one of these awards.
    For more information on this program and instruction for applying, click here.


    South Carolina Industry Liaison Group (SC ILG) Scholarship Award Program
    The South Carolina Industry Liaison Group provides leadership, networking, communication, and education to its members in establishing and supporting standards of excellence in equal employment opportunity programs and affirmative action compliance. The SC ILG Scholarship Awards Program is designed to assist in providing professional development opportunities to its membership while also preparing the next generation of practitioners in the field. The award provides financial assistance to high achieving students to make education more affordable.