The George Washington Carver (GWC) Doctoral Fellowship is awarded annually to encourage students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or Tribal colleges, who have demonstrated superior academic achievements and abilities, to attend Purdue University. Recipients of this fellowship are doctoral-seeking students who aspire to a career as a professor/researcher in higher education. Purdue University President Emeritus Martin C. Jischke initiated the George Washington Carver Fellowship in honor of this great African-American educator, researcher, and innovator.