Barbour Scholars

The Barbour Scholarship program was originally endowed by Levi Barbour in 1917 to support female graduate students from Asia and the Middle East.

A group of eight women, some smiling, stands indoors in front of a painted wall.

Celebrating a Century of Empowerment

Among the oldest and most prestigious awards granted by the University of Michigan, offering funding to female students from Asia and the Middle East since 1917.

The Rackham Graduate School celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the Barbour Scholarship throughout 2017. Barbour Scholars gathered to share their experiences and look to the future of the education of Asian women.

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Sections

  • History

    The Barbour Scholarship program was originally endowed by Levi Barbour in 1917 to support female graduate students from Asia and the Middle East.

  • Barbour Scholar Spotlights

    The Barbour Scholarship program was originally endowed by Levi Barbour in 1917 to support female graduate students from Asia and the Middle East.

  • Centennial Celebration

    The Barbour Scholarship program was originally endowed by Levi Barbour in 1917 to support female graduate students from Asia and the Middle East.

  • Barbour Society

    The Barbour Scholarship program was originally endowed by Levi Barbour in 1917 to support female graduate students from Asia and the Middle East.

  • Giving Opportunities

    Given the diverse careers that our graduates pursue, Rackham Graduate School provides funding for internships that prepare students to succeed in the expanded range of careers available to them.

  • A blue-tinted image of a building with trees, overlaid text reads "2025 Predoctoral Fellowship.

    Announcing the 2025-2026 Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship Awards

    The Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship supports outstanding doctoral candidates working on dissertations that are unusually creative, ambitious, and impactful.

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  • A sepia-toned portrait of a young woman with short hair, wearing a traditional outfit. She is gazing directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

    Barbour Scholar Was First Indian Woman to Receive Botany Doctorate

    Edavelth Kakkat Janaki Ammal would go on to pioneer new hybrid crops and advocate for preserving India's native plant life.

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  • A group of women in early 20th-century attire pose together in three rows against a dark curtain background.

    A Feminist Family Legacy

    U-M’s first female Korean Ph.D. graduate fought for the safety of her niece, who paid it forward by ensuring the well-being of women on a global scale.

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  • Announcing the 2024-2025 Barbour Scholars

    Established more than a century ago by Regent Levi Barbour, the prestigious Barbour Scholarship funds exceptional women from Asia and the Middle East as they pursue their graduate education at the University of Michigan.

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  • Announcing the 2023-2024 Barbour Scholars

    Established more than a century ago by Regent Levi Barbour, the prestigious Barbour Scholarship funds exceptional women from Asia and the Middle East as they pursue their graduate education at the University of Michigan.

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  • Total Scholars by Discipline

    • Biological and Health Science

      21.02%

    • Humanities and the Arts

      20.63%

    • Physical Sciences and Engineering

      20.24%

    • Social Sciences

      38.11%

    • Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

      2.27%

    Not all program data available.

  • Degrees Earned by Barbours

    • Bachelor’s Degree

      3.07%

    • Master’s Degree

      36.25%

    • Doctoral Degree

      57.77%

    • Juris Doctor (J.D.)

      0.65%

    Not all program data available.

Contact Us

Hours: Development and Alumni Relations is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed Saturdays and Sundays and on university holidays.

  • Location
    1530 Rackham Building
    915 East Washington Street
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070

  • Contact
    Phone: 734.764.1125
    Fax: 734.936.2848
    Email: [email protected]