Funding for Graduate Education

All students admitted to the UW's ESM department are fully funded, either via their advisor's grant or departmental funding.  To receive departmental funding, students must serve as a teaching assistant to a departmental class.  You will be notified in your offer letter how you will be funded.  It is wise to discuss with your potential advisor how you will be funded upon your admittance to the department.  In very rare cases, we may accept students with their own funding or that are self-funded.

Apply for an ESM Merit Fellowship:

There are 3  ESM Merit Fellowships available each year.  These Fellowships have higher application requirements than a regular Graduate Assistantship.  Merit Fellowships will be selected from all applicants each year.  The application deadline for this fellowship is January 31.

1. Apply for a department admission.
2. Application materials (GRE scores, transcripts, personal statement, and letters) are all that are needed.
3. To be eligible for an ESM Merit Fellowship, you must have a GRE score of 317 (1330), GPA of 3.0 for MS and 3.3 for PhD, excellent letters of reference, and your personal statement.
4. Selected individuals will be eligible for stipend augmentations of $5,000 the first academic year, $3,000 for the first summer, and $5,000 the second academic year.  This is on top of any Graduate Assistantship you receive (grant or state funded).
5. Successful applicants will be notified with their formal offers.

Apply for a departmental GA:

There are a varying number of departmental GAs available each year.  Your advisor will know if you are receiving a GA before you are admitted. The application deadline for this fellowship is January 31.

1. Apply for a department admission.
2. Application materials (GRE scores, transcripts, personal statement, and letters) are all that are needed.
3. Successful applicants will be notified with their formal offers.

Apply for a grant-funded GA:

Faculty who acquire grants with funding for a graduate student are able to recruit students on their own timeline.  Students who are funded through a grant GA must submit the same application materials as departmental GAs, but there is no application deadline. 

1. Apply for a department admission.
2. Application materials (GRE scores, transcripts, personal statement, and letters) are all that are needed.
3. Successful applicants will be notified with their formal offers.

Funding Minimums for the Academic Year

Most, if not all, of our graduate students are provided with either an assistantship or hourly employment during the summer that will also include any tuition, fees, and health insurance that may be applicable.  Summer research work is required for most graduate projects within the department.

Funding Minimums for the Calendar Year