NEXT Graduate Leaders Fellowship

The NEXT Graduate Leaders Fellowship supports the recruitment, retention and graduation of high-caliber graduate students at the University of Cincinnati while providing fellows with financial support and opportunities to develop as leaders and professions.

Students cannot apply directly for the NEXT Graduate Leaders Fellowship. Graduate degree programs apply for fellowship slots and, if selected, identify an eligible student to receive the fellowship. The Graduate College must approve the student’s eligibility before a fellowship offer can be made.

If you are interested in the NEXT Graduate Leaders Fellowship, we strongly encourage you to connect with your future graduate program to express your interest and learn more about the selection process. Visit the Contact Your Program page for program contact information.

Graduate programs interested in applying for the fellowship should visit the NEXT Graduate Leaders Fellowship page in Bearcats Landing. 

Questions about fellowship eligibility can be directed to Graduate College Program Director Megan Carroll at carrolm2@ucmail.uc.edu.

NEXT Graduate Leaders Fellowship recipients receive: 

• $10,000 fellowship stipend per year for up to two years for master’s students or up to four years for doctoral students.
• Graduate Student Health Insurance (GSHI) Award, which covers 100% of the cost of single-student UC Student Health Insurance coverage while the student is receiving fellowship stipend funding.
• First-year leadership development and student success programming offered in a dynamic, small-group environment.
• Personalized career development and peer connection through fellowship programming.
• Support in developing an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to help students identify graduate program milestones, develop skills and explore career options in their field.
• Connections to university resources and opportunities that support academic success, professional development and leadership growth.

The NEXT Graduate Leaders Fellowship does not provide tuition support. The fellow’s home college or program must provide a 100% Graduate Scholarship for the duration of the fellowship commitment — up to four academic years for doctoral students and up to two academic years for master’s students, unless the student graduates earlier.

At minimum, the program must cover the instructional fee and, if charged to the student, the metro/out-of-state surcharge at 100%.

Graduate programs interested in applying for a NEXT Graduate Leaders Fellowship slot should visit the NEXT Graduate Leaders Fellowship page in Bearcats Landing for application information and requirements.

Participate in fellowship programming: First-year fellows are required to attend biweekly leadership development and student success support meetings. The first required meeting is a half-day fellowship orientation held on the Saturday before fall classes begin. First-year fellows will then meet biweekly throughout fall and spring semester, with meetings paused for the winter season break.  In the fall, meetings are held on Fridays from 1–2:30 p.m.

Complete an Individual Development Plan: NEXT fellows are required to complete and submit an Individual Development Plan (IDP) annually for each year they receive fellowship funding. New and updated IDPs are typically due to the Graduate College in early April. Once a fellow has exhausted all fellowship funding, they are encouraged, but no longer required, to submit an annual IDP to the Graduate College.

Maintain academic eligibility: Fellows must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA, make satisfactory progress toward their degree and register for at least 12 graduate credit hours during the fall and spring semesters to maintain fellowship funding.