Fellowships, Assistantships, and Awards
Doctoral students receive a guaranteed four years of funding as a teaching assistant, plus one year on a research fellowship as long as they remain in good standing. Highly qualified PhD students may receive additional fellowships and scholarships from the department and university upon acceptance. The department uses its own funds to offer PhD students an additional scholarship, given at the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester, to help cover or lessen the costs of university fees. As teaching assistants, PhD students are also entitled to health insurance organized through their union, the GSEU. Students are also encouraged to apply for additional funding in the form of fellowships and research stipends, offered by various offices and centers within the university, as they advance in their studies. Limited funding is available to PhD students to pay for travel and lodging costs to attend conferences on a case-by-case basis.
PhD Funding
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PhD Funding Opportunities
- Academic year stipends of $23,000 for all full-time, funded PhD students on 10-month academic teaching assistant, research assistant or graduate assistant appointments.
- UB’s stipend levels are competitive among public Association of American Universities (AAU) member institutions.
- Additional Fellowship Opportunities:
- Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship Program: Candidates are required to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates must also demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the diversity of the student body by facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and campus activities. Even though financial need is not a requirement for program eligibility, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility. This scholarship program is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria. Students may apply for the Schomburg Fellowship on the UB graduate application for their program.
- Presidential Fellowships: To be eligible for Presidential Fellowships, candidates must meet the criteria listed on the Presidential Fellowship page. Both domestic and international students are eligible, if they meet these criteria. For any questions regarding funding for academic year 2025–2026, contact the director of graduate studies or department chair.
- Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship Program: Candidates are required to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates must also demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the diversity of the student body by facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and campus activities. Even though financial need is not a requirement for program eligibility, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility. This scholarship program is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria. Students may apply for the Schomburg Fellowship on the UB graduate application for their program.
MA Funding Opportunities
The department attempts to support as many graduate students as possible during their graduate careers, but the department has a limited number of student grader positions available. Each term, an announcement will be made when opportunities become available. Students must be in good academic standing and receive approval from their advisor, and have an application submitted to the department to be considered. There are also a limited number of scholarship, award, and other research opportunities with faculty. Announcements will made when such opportunities arise.
MA students may also pursue graduate assistantships in other areas on the UB campus, and to explore other sources of support, by visiting the Master’s Level Funding webpage.
Contact
Interested prospective students should contact the Department of History.