Each year the Presidential Graduate Fellowship Program brings twenty to twenty-five of the most promising doctoral students in the country to the University of Iowa. Presidential Graduate Fellows receive substantial financial support, usually for four years including summers, if they maintain an appropriate level of performance. The second fellowship year is linked to the completion of the dissertation.
Summers are service free.
The selection of Fellows is done by a Graduate College committee on a rolling basis beginning in January and generally ending in early March. Nominated students must have stated in their applications that they are committed to receiving a doctoral degree. International students can be nominated to be Presidential Graduate Fellows, but must have demonstrated extremely strong English language skills in addition to outstanding skills in their discipline. Departments and programs are urged to nominate qualified minority students for these awards. Minority students and other underrepresented students who are nominated for Presidential Graduate Fellowships will also be considered for Graduate Merit Fellowships.