Graduate Student Funding
This page lists general Mason resources to help graduate students secure funding.
Looking for an external graduate fellowship? A job in your field?
Check out a curated listing of opportunities especially for our ESP students here: https://science.gmu.edu/academics/departments-units/environmental-science-policy/quick-links/fellowships-internships
Funding by the Department of Environmental Science and Policy
Jones-Tschiemer PhD Fellowships (closed)
Eligibility Criteria and Application Instructions: https://science.gmu.edu/media/jones-tschiemer-phd-fellowships-esp
First award recipients will begin in Fall 2023. Apply by April 14, 2023.
Ann C. Powel Scholarship (closed)
Eligibility Criteria and Application Instructions: https://science.gmu.edu/media/ann-c-powel-scholarship-2022
Next application cycle: TBA
Becker Graduate Fellowship (open)
Each semester, the application window for the following semester’s Becker Fellowship will be announced by the Department’s Graduate Program. Graduate students are invited to apply to receive this award which is made possible through a generous endowment by Catherine Z. and Richard J. Becker. Award decisions are made by the Department and are competitive. Recipients receive financial support while they learn, teach, and conduct research. Application for this fellowship is open every spring semester for the upcoming academic year beginning in the fall.
Eligibility Criteria and Application instructions:
Becker Fellowship Fall 2023 - Summer 2024
Application deadline: May 30, 2023
Teaching Assistantships (closed)
***Please note that the current application cycle is now closed. The deadline was May 1, 2023.
Graduate teaching assistants support the department by engaging in activities related to teaching. These activities include: teaching sections of courses or labs, supporting instructors teaching large sections, tutoring, and advising. Teaching assistantship awards may or may not come with a tuition waiver. The ESP and Biology departments offer a limited number of teaching assistantship opportunities to qualified students each year. All teaching assistants are evaluated from year to year; renewal is not an automatic process.
Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) will be selected based on qualifications in the subject matter and teaching experience. GTA appointments will be made after review by the ESP Graduate Executive Committee, a faculty member coordinating the course in question, the Chair/Director of the appropriate undergraduate or graduate program, and Chair of the Department.
GTAs generally teach laboratory sections in undergraduate courses. Examples of courses are Introductory Biology for Non-majors, Environmental Biology, Introduction to Environmental Science, Biological Diversity and Ecosystems, Microbiology, Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries, Biostatistics, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Biodiversity, & Evolutionary Ecology.
George Mason University Resources
Office of Fellowships
George Mason University understands that one key way to increase the accessibility of graduate education is to help students secure financial support for research, fieldwork, writing, professional development or related activities. The Graduate Division has a pool of funds available to help Mason graduate students earn their degrees and conduct research. Mason will also help you find funding from outside sources to help cover the cost of your studies. The Office of Fellowships has a full listing of internal and external funding opportunities.
The Office of Fellowships works to recruit, mentor and support graduate students seeking external funding though nationally competitive awards. That support includes:
- Information sessions, announcements, and search tools to identify funding opportunities.
- Fellowship advising and grant writing support.
- Workshops on how to craft strong applications.
- One-on-one coaching and feedback during the application process.
- Support for faculty mentors and advisors.
- Class visits, workshops, webinars, and lists of opportunities tailored by discipline.
Office of the Provost
Dissertation Completion Grants are awarded by the Office of the Provost to doctoral students in the final semester of their dissertation. This grant enables them to focus full time on research and writing, improving the quality of their work, and shortening the time to complete their degree. Please see ALL graduate education funding opportunities from the Office of the Provost at https://provost.gmu.edu/academics-and-research/graduate-education/awards-and-grants.
Graduate Student Travel Fund
The Graduate Student Travel Fund was created for the purpose of facilitating its students’ development outside the classroom. Funding is provided on a competitive basis for students to present at conferences.
The Environmental Science and Policy Graduate Student Association (ESP-GSA) also offers travel grants to support ESP-GSA members who are presenting at conferences. See the ESP-GSA page for information about eligibility and how to apply.
Student Financial Aid
Financial Aid eligibility is based on several criteria. Students must be enrolled at Mason in a degree program to receive financial aid. Grants are available only during the fall and spring semesters. Federal and private loans may be used for summer enrollment. Students who study abroad may receive the same financial aid as if they were studying on campus. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for federal loans and the majority of grant funds. Full time for graduate students is 9 or more credit hours. Students must make satisfactory academic progress in order to maintain eligibility for financial aid. Students must be US citizens, permanent residents, or meet other criteria to receive financial aid. Male US citizens and non-citizens living in the US, ages 18-25 must register with the Selective Service in order to be eligible for financial aid. For full details, and to apply, visit Financial Aid Services.