NEXT Graduate Scholars Program

The mission of the NEXT Graduate Scholars Program at the University of Cincinnati is to enhance the reputation of graduate programs, academic colleges, and the University of Cincinnati by supporting the recruitment, retention, and graduation of high-caliber graduate students. 

This award requires program selection; students cannot directly apply. It is strongly recommended, though, that interested students connect with their future program. (Please visit the Contact Your Program page for program contact information.) Please contact the NEXT Graduate Scholars Program email (gsfellows@uc.edu) with questions and for more information about fellowship eligibility.

Students in the program engage in a first-year experience program, which provides professional development training and networking opportunities for new NEXT Graduate Scholars Program participants. The program is developed to introduce students to an array of university resources available to them, which will increase their likelihood of success in their graduate program. Students will develop a strategic plan to meet graduate program milestones, develop skills, and explore career options in their specific field. 

The program offers two tracks for students, depending on their interest: research and leadership. Students may choose which track to participate in and may change tracks with written notification to the program manager. 

Research track: the research track will prepare students for careers in academia and industry. Programming will focus on cultivating research skills, methodologies, and staying current in your field; building proficiency in teaching, mentorship, and contributions to the academic community; and prioritizing personal well-being, mental health, and stress management activities.

Leadership track: the leadership track will prepare students with transferrable skills to support their success in their future careers. Programming will focus on developing leadership, management, and coaching skills; enhancing communication skills across various formats while fostering networking, cultural competency, and self-advocacy; mastering career planning, goal setting, time management, and effective communication with employers; and prioritizing personal well-being, mental health, and stress management activities.

Students admitted into the NEXT Graduate Scholars Program will be eligible to receive a fellowship stipend: $10,000 per year, for up to 2 years for a master’s student, and up to 4 years for a doctoral student. Students also receive a tuition scholarship, provided by their graduate program, and a Graduate Student Health Insurance Award, which covers the full cost of single-student UC Student Health Insurance coverage. 

Eligible students will include those who demonstrate merit and achievement, with a preference for:  

• Students who have encountered or overcome substantial educational or economic obstacles.
• First-generation graduate students.

First year fellows are required to attend weekly professional development meetings. The first required meeting will be a half-day fellowship orientation, on the Saturday prior to the start of fall classes. Fellows in their first year of funding will participate in NEXT Graduate Scholars Program weekly meetings while classes are in session, for both fall and spring semester, on Fridays, 1:00-3:00 PM. For the programming, the students will be required to attend every other week for structured programming. On alternate weeks, students will have the option to attend meetings for support and networking activities.  

NEXT Graduate Scholars Program fellows are also required to complete and submit an Individual Development Plan (IDP) annually, for every year they receive fellowship funding. New and revised/updated IDPs will typically be due to the Graduate College in spring semester, in early April. Once the fellow has exhausted all fellowship funding, they are encouraged, but no longer required, to submit an annual IDP to the Graduate College.

Fellows must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA and must register for at least 12 graduate credit hours in the fall and spring semester to maintain their funding.