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Cost Sharing by Rackham

Information for Graduate Students

Graduate students are strongly encouraged to seek funding from sources external to the University of Michigan. In the graduate school context, cost sharing is the use of institutional funds to supplement graduate student support (stipend, tuition, GradCare, dental insurance and/or summer support) that is covered by an external sponsor. Cost sharing acts as an incentive for graduate students and program faculty to seek external funding and supports the ability of students to complete their programs of study. Rackham Graduate School partners with graduate programs to provide cost sharing to ensure that students who compete successfully for selected external awards are better off than would be the case without the external award.

Student Eligibility

Rackham cost sharing support is available only for admitted Rackham students in good academic standing.

Deadline

Ongoing

Award Description

Rackham provides cost sharing in several categories. The details of stipend, tuition, GradCare, dental insurance, and/or summer support coverage differ for each category depending on the specifics of the support offered by the external award. Important: Rackham does not provide retro-active cost sharing. All cost sharing requests must be approved before actual costs are incurred.

Application Procedure

In most cases, cost sharing is arranged by having the graduate chair or graduate coordinator contact Rackham on the student’s behalf. Students should notify their programs when they receive an external award, so the faculty and staff can work with Rackham to furnish the student with the best possible funding package. To evaluate for potential cost sharing, the graduate program should send the fellowship award information (website, copy of the fellowship award letter, etc.) to the Rackham Finance & Fellowships Office by emailing [email protected]. Staff in graduate programs should consult the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) to see if the submission of a Proposal Approval Form (PAF) is required for some awards. Important: If a PAF is required, Rackham MUST be included in the “Internal U-M Agreements” section of the form because Rackham will not provide retro-active cost sharing for awards where Rackham was not included on PAF approval. Please visit our Cost Sharing Process page for the language that should be included in Section 3.7 of the PAF.

Information for Faculty and Staff in Graduate Programs

Types of Cost Sharing

Rackham provides cost sharing in several categories. These include Federal Training Grants, FLAS Fellowships, and External Fellowships awarded directly to individual students. The details of stipend, tuition, GradCare, dental insurance, and/or summer support coverage depend on the category. Coverage of tuition charges is restricted to courses that carry graduate credit.

In most cases, cost sharing is arranged by having the graduate chair or graduate coordinator contact Rackham on the student’s behalf. Students should notify their programs when they receive an external award, so the faculty and staff can work with Rackham to furnish the student with the best possible funding package. Important: If a PAF is required, Rackham MUST be included in the “Internal U-M Agreements” section of the form because Rackham will not provide retro-active cost sharing for awards where Rackham was not included on PAF approval. Please visit our Cost Sharing Process page for the language that should be included in Section 3.7 of the PAF.

Additional information along with shortfall reimbursement forms and the Estimated Shortfall Budget Tool.

I. Federal Training Grants

When faculty or graduate programs compete successfully for federal grants like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) training grants, Department of Education (DoE) Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN), or National Science Foundation (NSF) Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) grants, Rackham cost sharing is designed to partner with graduate programs to ensure that students receive full funding packages.

Generally, Rackham provides half the shortfall between the cost of tuition, GradCare and dental insurance, and the allowance provided by the federal government for a research traineeship awarded to a student enrolled in a Rackham doctoral program. The balance of the shortfall is committed by the home unit of the student or other source of funding. For students enrolled in Rackham interdepartmental programs, Rackham contributes 50% of the shortfall. The shortfall calculation follows the appropriate formula of the federal funding agency. These commitments allow the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) to certify that the university will meet funding requirements for these grants. Rackham also works with faculty principal investigators (PIs) to help develop strategies that meet federal requirements for participation of underrepresented students on training grants, and to ensure a diverse pool of students who can be considered for trainee appointments. For more information contact Assistant Dean Emily Swafford who can arrange for any needed signatures on these grants.

II. Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships

In addition to a stipend of $15,000 an academic-year, Department of Education Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) award provides $18,000 in tuition support. For FLAS awards to students in Rackham doctoral programs, Rackham provides the entire shortfall between the $18,000 and actual tuition. Limited cost-sharing funding may be available for master’s students who receive FLAS awards, not to exceed 25% of the tuition shortfall. In such cases, a combination of the student’s home unit, area center, and/or the International Institute will provide funding to match Rackham’s contribution. Rackham’s total annual FLAS tuition shortfall is capped under an agreement with the International Institute. Visit the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) website for more information.

III. External Fellowships Awarded Directly to Individual Students

Rackham provides cost sharing on selected external fellowships awarded to Rackham students. The following criteria determine which fellowships are eligible:

  • The fellowship is awarded directly to a Rackham student and not to a program, department, or faculty member;
  • The fellowship is awarded from outside the University of Michigan;
  • The student is registered and working full time toward completion of his or her degree during the full award period. Employment during the award period of more than 10 hours a week makes the student ineligible for cost sharing support.

Important: If a PAF is required, Rackham MUST be included in the “Other U-M Commitments” section of the form because Rackham will not provide retro-active cost sharing. Please visit our Cost Sharing Process page for the language that should be included in Section 3.7 of the PAF.

A. Group 1

Group 1 fellowships are nationally competitive, prestigious, and open to students in multiple fields of study. They provide significant funding, often multi-year funding, for students. For students who receive these awards, Rackham will reimburse 100% of the shortfall between the award amount and a Rackham full funding package during award tenure. In addition, Rackham will ensure that the student receives a stipend of at least $13,770 per term from all funding sources during the award period. The list of eligible Group 1 fellowships is available below.

When a student receives a Group 1 award, the student should notify the graduate program, so the program can contact the Finance & Fellowships Office to request Rackham support.

B. Group 2: Rackham funding partnerships for external fellowships

Group 2 fellowships are competitive and prestigious. Some are limited to single fields of study. These awards provide the student with at least 50% of the full funding package. For students who receive these awards, Rackham will reimburse 50% of the shortfall between the award amount and actual costs of tuition, GradCare, and dental insurance (Option 1). The graduate program is expected to contribute the other 50% of the shortfall amount unless other arrangements have been made. A list of Group 2 awards is available below. Since this list is not comprehensive, we welcome learning about additional awards that meet the criteria.

When a student receives a Group 2 award, the student should notify the graduate program, so the program can contact the Finance & Fellowships Office to request Rackham support. Important: If a PAF is required, Rackham MUST be included in the “Internal U-M Agreements” section of the form because Rackham will not provide retro-active cost sharing for awards where Rackham was not included on PAF approval. Please visit our Cost Sharing Process page for the language that should be included in Section 3.7 of the PAF.

C. Group 3: Rackham tuition awards for external fellowships

Group 3 fellowships are nationally competitive and prestigious. They provide a stipend only, and are intended to support students who will spend the entire award period conducting research outside the United States. For students who receive these awards, Rackham will provide up to two semesters of tuition. A list of Group 3 awards is available below. Since this list is not comprehensive, we welcome learning about additional awards that meet the criteria.

When a student receives a Group 3 award, the student should notify the graduate program, so the program can contact the Finance & Fellowships Office to request Rackham support. Important: If a PAF is required, Rackham MUST be included in the “Internal U-M Agreements” section of the form because Rackham will not provide retro-active cost sharing for awards where Rackham was not included on PAF approval. Please visit our Cost Sharing Process page for the language that should be included in Section 3.7 of the PAF.

IV. Additional Funding in Excess of Stipend

Effective with the spring/summer 2024 term, Rackham is updating its policy regarding additional funding in excess of stipend to be up-to-date, simpler, and consistent with other Rackham funding mechanisms.

In order to ensure equitable distribution of university resources and equity among Rackham fellowship recipients, all sources of a student’s support (regardless of type or funding source) will be taken into account in making Rackham fellowship award decisions. This process ensures that a student will be fully covered (stipend, tuition, benefits) at the established stipend rate for the period of the Rackham fellowship. Students and graduate programs must notify Rackham Finance and Fellowships when a Rackham fellowship recipient receives stipend or tuition support from any other source, including GSI/GSSA/GSRA appointments in excess of 0.25 FTE, and any internal or external fellowship support.

Rackham fellowship recipients who are concurrently recipients of other awards (regardless of type or funding source), including assistantships or fellowships, may receive up to 50% in additional stipend in excess of the established stipend level for that term (currently in AY 2024–25, the established stipend for each term is $13,770, and 50% is $6,885). In circumstances where a Rackham fellowship recipient is receiving combined stipend support (regardless of type or funding source) exceeding 150% of the established stipend level for that term (currently in AY 2024–25, 150% is $20,655), the Rackham stipend can be reduced to bring the combined stipend support in compliance with Rackham policy, or the non-Rackham stipend can be deferred to a later term, if allowable.

Examples

Examples using the AY 2024–25 established stipend of $13,770:

  1. A Rackham fellowship recipient, who is scheduled to receive or received stipend support from Rackham at the established stipend level of $13,770 per term, is concurrently awarded in the same term an external or departmental fellowship that provides a stipend support of $15,000 per term. The external or departmental fellowship can be deferred, if allowable, or the Rackham stipend support will be reduced to $5,655 per term in order to ensure equity among Rackham fellowship recipients, where the total stipend support from all sources should not exceed 150% of the established stipend level for that term.
  2. A Rackham fellowship recipient, who is scheduled to receive or received stipend support from Rackham at the established stipend level of $13,770 per term, is concurrently awarded in the same term an external or departmental fellowship that provides a stipend support of $5,000 per term. The student is able to receive both the Rackham fellowship and the additional fellowship because the additional fellowship is less than 50% of the established stipend.

“Term” refers to fall term, winter term, and spring/summer term. Spring term only or summer term only are considered half terms.

“Other awards” refers to non-Rackham awards. Students may not receive two Rackham fellowships concurrently in the same term.

Rackham Finance and Fellowships makes the final determination for Rackham-provided fellowship support, in consultation with the student and the program.

External Fellowships Approved for Rackham Cost Sharing

Group 1

(Rackham provides 100% of cost sharing)

  • ACLS Dissertation Fellowships (Mellon, Luce)
  • Department of Energy Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE SCGF)
  • EPA Star
  • Ford Foundation Dissertation
  • Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship
  • Fulbright-Hayes Dissertation Fellowship
  • Gates Millennium Scholars Please note: Financial need is calculated through the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is administered by the Office of Financial Aid. Rackham will cover 100% of remaining financial need after the student has been awarded the maximum Gates’s award amount for the academic year. The Gates student remains responsible for any expected family contribution (EFC).
  • Harry Guggenheim Foundation Dissertation Fellowships
  • Hertz Foundation
  • Liebmann Fund
  • NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities (NSTGRO)
  • NASA Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion-2019 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2019)
  • NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award
  • NIH: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellowships to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research
  • National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships
  • Charlotte W. Newcombe – Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
  • Spencer Foundation – Dissertation Fellowship
  • United Negro College Fund (UNCF)/Merck

Group 2

(Rackham provides 50% of cost sharing – tuition and GradCare/Dental Option 1)

  • AAUW Educational Foundation/American Fellow
  • ACLS – East European Studies Writing Dissertation Fellowship
  • American Bar Law and Social Science Dissertation Fellowship
  • American Chemical Society (Division of Medicinal Chemistry)
  • American Epilepsy Society (AES)
  • American Gastroenterological Association
  • American Heart Association – Predoctoral Fellowship
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • American Physiological Society
  • American Sociology Association
  • Association for Institutional Research
  • Autism Speaks – Dennis Weatherstone Pre-doctoral Fellowships, Candidate Level
  • Autism Speaks Predoctoral Fellowship Program
  • Center for Retirement Research at Boston College Dissertation Fellowship Program
  • Department of Energy – Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF)
  • Department of Energy – Graduate Research Environmental Fellowships (GREF)
  • Department of Energy – NEUP Graduate Fellowship
  • Department of Energy – Nuclear Nonproliferation International Safeguards (NNIS) Graduate Fellowship Program
  • Department of Energy – Rickover Fellowship Program
  • Department of Homeland Security – Graduate Fellowship
  • Doris Duke Fellowship – University of Chicago
  • Dumbarton Oaks – Residential Junior Fellowship
  • Epilepsy Foundation
  • Eurasia Dissertation Support Fellowship
  • GEM Engineering: Ph.D. and Master’s
  • GEM Sciences: Ph.D. and Master’s
  • Getty Institution – Predoctoral Fellowship
  • Graduate Fellowships for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Diversity (GFSD)
  • Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program in Geriatric Social Work
  • Hewlett Foundation/IIE Dissertation Fellowship
  • International Fulbright Science and Technology Award
  • Japan Fellowship Program
  • Josephine de Karman Fellowship
  • Link Foundation
  • Max Kade
  • Mellon Mays University Fellows Dissertation Grant Program
  • Mellon-CES Dissertation Completion Fellowships in European Studies
  • MET Museum of Art – Rousseau Fellowship, Bothmer Fellowship
  • Murata Overseas Scholarship Foundation
  • NASA Aeronautics Scholarship Program
  • Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST)
  • NBER Nonprofit Dissertation Fellowship
  • NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award
  • NIH: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral M.D./Ph.D. and Other Dual Doctoral Degree Fellows
  • NIH: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows
  • NINR: NINR Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows in Nursing Research
  • NINDS: NINDS Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows in M.D.-Ph.D. Programs
  • NIGMS: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Predoctoral Fellows in Pharm.D./Ph.D. Programs
  • Nakajima Foundation Scholarship
  • National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Graduate Research Fellowship
  • North American Regional Science Council – Benjamin H. Stevens Graduate Fellowship
  • Samsung Scholarship
  • School for Advanced Research (SAR)/Mellon Fellowship
  • Smithsonian – Sarah Roby Fellowship in American Art
  • Smithsonian – Big Ten Academic Alliance Fellowship
  • Social Science & Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
  • Social Science Research Council (SSRC) – Eurasia Dissertation Support Fellowships
  • Social Science Research Council (SSRC) – International Dissertation Research Fellowship

Group 3 (Rackham provides tuition support only)

  • Lurcy (travel to France)
  • DAAD (German Academic Exchange Services)
  • Kress Foundation History of Art Institution Fellowship (two year award, Rackham pays two terms of tuition)
  • Latin American Scholarship Program of American Universities (LASPAU)
  • U.S. Student Fulbright (full grants for U-M students going abroad)