$55,620 per year stipend (2026-2027) plus no tuition charged
Duration
5 to 6 years (typical PhD program length)
Deadline
—
Level
PhD
Acceptance
—
Difficulty
—
Quick Summary
For students aiming to study in United States, David Rockefeller Graduate Fellowship is a fully funded scholarship from The Rockefeller University. The award covers $55,620 per year stipend (2026-2027) plus no tuition charged and is open to phd students studying biomedical sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, neuroscience, genetics, structural biology. The scholarship runs for 5 to 6 years (typical phd program length) and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on open to applicants of any nationality who are admitted to the PhD program; funding is automatic for every admitted student rather than a separate competitive award. There is no separate scholarship application process to navigate, since admission to the PhD program itself is the sole gate to full funding. The application deadline is announced annually on the official scholarship page. Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
✨ Should I Apply for David Rockefeller Graduate Fellowship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
6/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
20-35 hrs
Time Required
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
$55,620 per year stipend (2026-2027) plus no tuition charged
Every student admitted to the David Rockefeller Graduate Program in Bioscience at The Rockefeller University receives full funding for the duration of the PhD: no tuition is charged, and students are not required to serve as teaching assistants. The university states this support is provided so students can focus entirely on research from day one, working directly in a faculty lab in a small, single-program graduate school on Manhattan's Upper East Side.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to applicants of any nationality who are admitted to the PhD program; funding is automatic for every admitted student rather than a separate competitive award. There is no separate scholarship application process to navigate, since admission to the PhD program itself is the sole gate to full funding.
All PhD students receive an annual stipend of $55,620 (2026-2027 rate), pay no tuition, and get comprehensive health/dental/vision coverage plus a research and travel allowance. Guaranteed subsidized housing is available on or near campus, and outside fellowship winners receive a stipend top-up.
🎯 Target Students
Admitted PhD students in the David Rockefeller Graduate Program in Bioscience, any nationality
$55,620 per year stipend (2026-2027) plus no tuition charged
✈️ Travel: Yes (research/conference funds of $2,500 in year one and $1,500 per year thereafter)🏠 Accommodation: No (subsidized on-campus housing is offered separately, not paid in full)💊 Health Insurance: Yes (comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans)🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: $0 (no application fee)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (no tuition is charged)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes
🏡 Accommodation
No (subsidized on-campus housing is offered separately, not paid in full)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (research/conference funds of $2,500 in year one and $1,500 per year thereafter)
💊 Health Insurance
Yes (comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans)
🎁 Other Benefits
Guaranteed subsidized student housing on campus, affordable on-campus childcare through the Child and Family Center, and a top-up to stipend level (plus $5,000) for students who win competitive outside fellowships.
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Continued satisfactory academic and research progress within the graduate program.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Applicants must be admitted to the David Rockefeller Graduate Program in Bioscience; a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) is required prior to enrollment.
🎓 Academic Level
PhD
🗣️ English Requirement
TOEFL or IELTS required for applicants whose prior degree instruction was not in English.
💼 Work Experience
Prior laboratory research experience is a key factor in admission.
🏆 Leadership
Not required
💰 Financial Need
No (funding is automatic for all admitted students regardless of financial need)
🎯 Target Students
Admitted PhD students in the David Rockefeller Graduate Program in Bioscience, any nationality
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (personal statement/research interests…
Rec Letters
Yes (letters of recommendation from research…
Interview
Yes (invited applicants attend interviews as…
Application Fee
$0 (no application fee)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
English Proficiency Proof
Interview
📋 Application Process
Because funding is tied to admission rather than a separate scholarship application, the priority is a strong PhD application: emphasize hands-on research experience and clearly articulate specific faculty labs at Rockefeller whose work aligns with your interests. Reach out to potential faculty mentors before or during the application process where possible, since demonstrated fit with a specific lab strengthens an application more than general enthusiasm for the university.
💡 Insider Tip: Review the Graduate Student Guide and Graduate Brochure linked from the program's admissions pages before applying, and reach out to the Office of Graduate Studies with specific questions. These resources outline the program's rotation system and research expectations in more detail than the general admissions pages, which helps in writing a more targeted application.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Check website
⏰ Deadline
Check website
🎤 Interview
Yes (invited applicants attend interviews as part of admission)
🎓 Study Starts
September
Check website
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Check website
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes (invited applicants attend interviews as part of admission)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Research potential and prior lab experience, academic record, letters of recommendation, fit with faculty research areas.
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
David Rockefeller Graduate FellowshipCurrent
United States
Full Funding
PhD
—
🇺🇸 Brown University Financial Aid (The Brown Promise)
Open to applicants of any nationality who are admitted to the PhD program; funding is automatic for every admitted student rather than a separate competitive award. There is no separate scholarship application process to navigate, since admission to the PhD program itself is the sole gate to full funding.
All PhD students receive an annual stipend of $55,620 (2026-2027 rate), pay no tuition, and get comprehensive health/dental/vision coverage plus a research and travel allowance. Guaranteed subsidized housing is available on or near campus, and outside fellowship winners receive a stipend top-up. It is a fully funded scholarship.
Application deadlines vary by year. Check the official scholarship website for current cycle dates.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, TOEFL or IELTS required for applicants whose prior degree instruction was not in English., Yes (letters of recommendation from research mentors, per the graduate application) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.