Funding Opportunities

Funding for graduate students isn't guaranteed, but the majority of students admitted into the School of Engineering Education's (ENE) Ph.D. program receive a funding offer. Most of our graduate students are supported by assistantships that remit tuition and pay a stipend. 

 

ENE Assistantships

Assistantships go to incoming students who are recruited and direct matched to work with a specific faculty advisor/mentor, assisting them with research projects (research assistantships) or instructional activities (teaching assistantships). ENE Assistantships are competitively awarded to high-quality students based on the material supplied in your application, how closely the application matches our research and teaching needs, and how likely you are to be successful in our program. Although grades and standardized tests score are important, your research interests, statement of purpose, and reference letters often play the most important role in deciding whether you receive an assistantship. You are strongly encouraged to view our faculty profiles to discover who is working in an area that interests you, and to express an interest in working with them.

ENE Explorer Fellowships

Students not recruited to work with a specific faculty member will participate in the ENE Explorer Program and receive some funding. The program allows new graduate students to actively explore a variety of research opportunities, learn about ENE's role in managing First-Year Engineering, and become familiar with potential dissertation committee members and advisors. Each Explorer completes at least two research assignments during the first semester. 

Purdue University Fellowships & Awards

Students are automatically considered during the application process for University-level fellowships managed by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS):

  • Ross Fellowship—designed for the recruitment of outstanding PhD-track students to graduate programs at Purdue; provides a four-year award package, including a stipend/salary, tuition coverage, and a medical insurance supplement
  • George Washington Carver Doctoral Fellowship—awarded to doctoral-seeking students from historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or tribal colleges who have demonstrated superior academic achievements and scholarly abilities. Recipients must aspire to a career as a professor of higher education; provides a five-year award package 
  • Charles C. Chappelle Fellowship—awarded to students with undergraduate degrees from Purdue for the furtherance of postgraduate research at the University; recipients are selected on the basis of character, intellectual ability and promise of degree attainment; provides a one-year award package, including a stipend, graduate tuition scholarships, payment of most fees, and a medical insurance supplement
  • Presidential Doctoral Excellence Award—designed to recruit the best and brightest students in disciplines that align to the university’s strategic priorities; provides $10K (over four years) to each incoming PhD student receiving the award

External Funding

The following programs outside Purdue provide a possible avenue for funding your graduate education:

Purdue funding links:

Other funding opportunities: