Fellowships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

PhD Funding

Join a community of scholars and researchers working together to solve pressing global problems. 

We are committed to recruiting the very best PhD students and preparing doctoral students for career success. UB features:

  • World-class faculty experts mentor PhD students in a dynamic research and learning environment. Students can focus on their research and scholarship alongside renowned faculty while preparing for the careers and professions that await them after graduation.
  • A city on the rise. Buffalo, NY offers affordable housing, arts, culture and community. Learn more about Buffalo.

Please note that there will be no admission process in the Fall of 2025 (for enrollment in Fall 2026). Our inability to offer PhD positions for the coming year is a delayed consequence of funding issues that arose during the pandemic. It is unrelated to current circumstances, and we expect to resume our normal recruitment of PhD students in 2026 (for Fall 2027).

PhD Funding Opportunities

Academic year stipends of $23,690 and a full tuition waiver 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.

Teaching opportunities in the Department of Linguistics include assisting or teaching courses in linguistics or in Chinese, German, Japanese, and Korean language.

The deadline to apply with consideration for funding is December 15 of every application cycle.

University Financial Aid

Typically, only our PhD applicants will be considered for departmental financial support. In addition to departmental funding, there are a variety of university-wide financial aid options available for graduate students at UB. Linguistics MA/MS applicants wishing to apply for student loans, grants, or work-study positions should contact the UB Office of Financial Aid for further information.

The deadline to apply for UB financial aid is April 15 of each application cycle, and early application is strongly recommended.