Diversity Fellowship Programs

The Office of Inclusive Excellence awards diversity fellowships to students who have been admitted to graduate MEng and PhD programs in select fields. Diversity Recruitment Fellowships are designed to advance the Graduate School’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and especially, access.

Cornell Engineering Colman Fellowship

Funded by the Colman Family Foundation and the Cornell Graduate School, the Colman Fellowship provides two (2) years of fellowship support which also includes professional development and settling in funding. Fellows also receive support from their respective department to fund the remainder of their studies usually via an assistantship or external fellowship assuming adequate academic progress. Colman Fellowships are awarded during the admissions process. Learn more about the fellowship structure and how to apply below.

Cornell Engineering Lance R. Collins Fellowship

Funded by the College of Engineering, the fellow's field/department of study, and the Cornell Graduate School, the Collins Fellowship provides two (2) years of fellowship support which also includes professional development and settling in funding. Fellows also receive support from their respective department to fund the remainder of their studies typically via an assistantship or external fellowship assuming adequate academic progress. Learn more about the fellowship structure and how to apply below.

GEM Fellowship

The GEM fellowship is a one (1) year fellowship for PhD and MEng domestic students supported via a partnership between Cornell University and the National GEM Consortium. Learn more about the fellowship structure and how to apply below.

More information

Application Fee Waiver

You can request a fee waiver through the payment page of the online Cornell Graduate School application form.

If you plan to request a fee waiver, be sure to plan ahead and submit your application at least 3 business days before the application deadline.

More information about application fees

Requests for additional information on application fee waivers and pathway programs, should be directed to grad_assoc_dean@cornell.edu.

Cornell Engineering Colman Fellowship

The Cornell Engineering Colman Fellowship is designed to broaden representation and develop future engineering leaders. This fellowship is administered by the office of Diversity Programs in Engineering (DPE) and funded by the Colman Family Foundation and the Cornell Graduate School.

Fellowship Structure:

Students selected for a Cornell Colman Fellowship receive two academic year awards including additional stipend support for two summers to pursue a PhD in Engineering-related fields. The two awards are split between the first year and the fourth or fifth year (the second-year award must be made post the A-Exam). Awards include a stipend, tuition, and individual student health insurance. Colman Fellows also receive the following:

Professional Development Funding: Fellows will also receive $2,000/year from the College of Engineering to support professional development expenses (conferences, academic supplies, society memberships, etc.) in Years 1-5.
Settling In Funding: $2,000 stipend supplement from the College of Engineering in year 1 to go toward expenses for moving and setting in as a new student.

How to apply for a Cornell Engineering Collins Fellowship:

Prospective PhD students apply for the Colman Fellowship through the Graduate School admissions application. For information about eligibility and how to apply, please visit the Graduate School Fellowships in Support of Diversity webpage.

Cornell Engineering Lance R. Collins Fellowship

The Cornell Engineering Lance R. Collins Fellowship was established to advance the Graduate School’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and especially, access. Further, it honors Dr. Lance R. Collins, who from 2010 to 2020 served as the Joseph Silbert Dean of the College of Engineering. This fellowship is administered by the office of Diversity Programs in Engineering (DPE) and funded by the College of Engineering, the fellow's field/department, and the Cornell Graduate School.

Fellowship Structure:

Students selected for a Cornell Collins Fellowship receive two academic year awards including additional stipend support for two summers to pursue a PhD in Engineering-related fields. The two awards are split between the first year and the fourth or fifth year (the second-year award must be made post the A-Exam). Awards include a stipend, tuition, and individual student health insurance. Collins Fellows also receive the following:

Professional Development Funding: Fellows will also receive $2,000/year from the College of Engineering to support professional development expenses (conferences, academic supplies, society memberships, etc.) in Years 1-5.
Settling In Funding: $2,000 stipend supplement from the College of Engineering in year 1 to go toward expenses for moving and setting in as a new student.

How to apply for a Cornell Engineering Collins Fellowship:

Prospective PhD students apply for the Collins Fellowship through the Graduate School admissions application. For information about eligibility and how to apply, please visit the Graduate School Fellowships in Support of Diversity webpage.

GEM Fellowship

Cornell University is a member of the GEM Consortium. Cornell Engineering offers one (1) year of fellowship support for GEM fellows. Please note that PhD Students may be awarded both the GEM and either a Collins or Colman Fellowship.

Fellowship Structure:

Cornell Engineering GEM fellowships (MEng & PhD) may be offered as follows:

Employer Fellow –
- Tuition & Fees, Stipend and Health insurance for two semesters with an internship by a GEM Employer
Associate Fellow –
- Tuition & Fees, Stipend, and Health insurance for two semesters
University Fellow –
- Tuition & Fees for two semesters

Eligibility and Application for a Cornell Engineering GEM Fellowship:

To be eligible for nomination for a Cornell Engineering GEM Fellowship, students must be a U.S. citizen and a permanent resident. For more information or to apply visit, https://www.gemfellowship.org/gem-fellowship-program/