Additional funding for graduate degree programs is available through a number of federal sources, including:
Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology Graduate Research Fellowship Program (FINESST) solicits proposals from accredited U.S. universities and other eligible entities for graduate student research projects that contribute to NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) in one or more of four divisions: Earth Sciences, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. FINESST does not limit eligibility based on study discipline or degree type. These awards are research grants for up to three years at up to $50,000 per year. Deadline February.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The National Science Foundation's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) helps ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science and engineering in the United States and reinforces its diversity. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions. The NSF welcomes applications from all qualified students and strongly encourages under-represented populations, including women, under-represented racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities, to apply for this fellowship. Deadline is in November.
Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) Graduate Student Fellowship
The Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology (GEST) Graduate Student Fellowship is an up to $34,000 one-year fellowship renewable for one additional year for full-time degree-seeking graduate student in an earth, biological, physical or computer science, mathematics or engineering discipline whose thesis research is aligned with similar research conducted within the GEST Center and NASA Goddard’s Earth Sciences Division.
EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Graduate Fellowships
EPA's Science To Achieve Results (STAR) graduate fellowship program supports masters and doctoral candidates in environmental studies. Each year, students in the United States compete for STAR fellowships through a rigorous review process. Students can pursue degrees in traditionally recognized environmental disciplines as well as other fields such as social anthropology, urban and regional planning, and decision sciences. STAR fellowships are intended to help defray the ever-increasing costs associated with studies leading to advanced degrees in environmental sciences. The actual amount awarded per year will vary depending on the amount of tuition and fees and the number of months the stipend is needed. Benefits of an EPA STAR Fellowship include up to $44,000 per year, which includes $12,000 per year for tuition and fees, $27,000 per year in a monthly stipend, and an annual expense allowance of $5,000. Masters level students can receive support for a maximum of two years. Doctoral students can be supported for a maximum of three years with funding available, under certain circumstances, over a period of four years.