Select Page
Home » Funding » Barbour Scholarship

Barbour Scholarship

In the light of continuing disruptions to research as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a temporary accommodation, a student can request to pause this full-year fellowship and receive other non-Rackham support for one semester. To request this, the student should explain how the research project that formed the basis of the fellowship has been disrupted by the pandemic, and confirm that the remaining term of fellowship funding will be used to support the same student. This accommodation will be in effect for the 2023-24 academic year.

The Barbour Scholarships were endowed at the University of Michigan in 1917 by Levi Lewis Barbour for women of the highest academic and professional caliber from countries encompassing the large region extending from Turkey in the west to Japan and the Philippines in the east to study modern science, medicine, mathematics, and other academic disciplines and professions critical to the development of their native lands. Recipients will be selected as part of the Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship awarding process, as further outlined below.

Eligibility

Recipients must be citizens of countries encompassing the large region extending from Turkey in the west to Japan and the Philippines in the east in addition, recipients:

  • must identify as a woman;
  • must not be permanent residents or citizens of the United States and not married to permanent residents or citizens of the United States;
  • must be a doctoral candidate (advanced by the Rackham Office of Academic Records and Dissertations no later than January 19, 2024 for the Winter 2024 term or earlier) enrolled full-time in a Rackham doctoral program at the University of Michigan; and
  • must be in residence on campus as a full-time student during the tenure of the award.

Selection Criteria

Recipients will be selected as part of the Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship process. Predoctoral Fellow Recipients who meet the Barbour Scholarship eligibility criteria may be selected as a Barbour Scholar.

In addition to the Predoctoral Fellowship Selection Criteria, Barbour Fellows will be chosen on the basis of potential for contribution to their home country.

Deadline

January 19, 2024

Award Description

Five to eight awards, depending upon the availability of funds, are available. Awards cover full tuition and required fees, stipend of $36,084 (currently) for one academic year (fall, winter, and spring/summer terms), GradCare health and dental (option 1) during the tenure of the fellowship. Students may receive only one award. Awards are non-renewable.

Nomination Procedure

Students must be nominated by their program. Any graduate program on the Ann Arbor campus may nominate Barbour eligible students through the Predoctoral Fellowship nomination process. Students should contact their program regarding their selection and nomination process.

  • To nominate a student, graduate programs must complete the Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship nomination process. Barbour eligibility should be indicated in the student information section, and the program information section should discuss the student’s contributions to their home country.
  • In the Predoctoral Fellowship personal statement, nominees wishing to be considered for a Barbour should describe their research, future goals, and intended contributions to their home country
    • In addition to the standard information requested in the personal statement, nominees for this award should specifically address key issues in their field, the anticipated impact of their project on their field, how they propose to use their new skills in the service of their country, and their professional goals in terms of the type of work and organization they hope to be employed in ten years after completing the degree. Nominees with a promise of a job in their field upon return home should include the name of that organization in their application.

Please refer to the Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship Program page for more information regarding the combined Predoctoral and Barbour competitions.

Contact Information

Questions? Contact the Rackham Office of Finance and Fellowships at [email protected].