Masters, PhDPartial / Fully Funded

UCLA Graduate Division Fellowships for International Students

Last verified 18 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

Heads up — this listing may be outdated. The dates and details below reference a year that has already passed and our editorial team has not re-verified this scholarship is still open. Always confirm the current intake on the sponsor's official website via the button below before you invest time in an application.

UCLA’s Graduate Division curates fellowships, assistantships, and resources open to international master’s and PhD students. Funding is assembled from campus awards, departmental support, and external scholarships. Deadlines and eligibility vary—verify on UCLA’s site.

Provider: UCLA
Host country: United States
Deadline: Varies by award; consult UCLA’s Graduate Division funding calendar and your department’s priority deadlines. The source page does not list a single fellowship deadline.
Region: California

Official source

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

UCLA Graduate Division Fellowships for International Students is open to African students applying to study in United States at the Masters, PhD level, with partial / fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Masters, PhD · applicants for United States
Funding: Partial / Fully Funded
Study level: Masters, PhD
Deadline: Varies by award; consult UCLA’s Graduate Division funding calendar and your department’s priority deadlines. The source page does not list a single fellowship deadline.

Key eligibility criteria

Open to international applicants and students in UCLA master’s and PhD programs
specific awards vary by department and degree stage. Full-time enrollment, good academic standing, and visa/employment compliance are typically required. Always confirm each award’s rules.

What the partial / fully funded award covers

Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Health insurance

About the UCLA Graduate Division Fellowships for International Students (2026)

## Overview - UCLA is one of the world’s leading public research universities, and its Graduate Division coordinates a wide range of funding opportunities for master’s and doctoral students, including many open to international applicants. The official page linked below aggregates guidance and tools designed to help non‑U.S. citizens identify fellowships, employment opportunities, and campus resources. - There is not a single, catch‑all “UCLA International Fellowship.” Instead, international graduate students typically assemble a package that may include Graduate Division fellowships, departmental awards, teaching or research assistantships, and external scholarships. Coverage can be partial to fully funded depending on program and award. - The site highlights tools like the UCLA funding search and SmartRecs (a personalized recommendations system accessible to admitted/enrolled students), along with calendars, FAQs, and links to tuition and working-at-UCLA information. Some features require a UCLA login because they are tailored to current students. - Funding policies and eligibility differ by academic unit. Many departments nominate top applicants for campus‑level fellowships during the admissions review. Strong, early applications are the best path to being considered for institutional support. - International students should plan for both merit-based and employment-based support, be mindful of visa rules for on-campus work, and verify details with their department’s Student Affairs Officer (SAO) and the Graduate Division funding pages referenced below. ## Benefits - Tuition and fee support may be provided through Graduate Division fellowships, departmental awards, or graduate student academic appointments (Teaching Assistant, Associate, Reader, Tutor, or Graduate Student Researcher). Depending on the package, this can include standard tuition, campus fees, and in some cases nonresident supplemental tuition; always confirm specifics with your program. - Living stipends are available with many fellowships and assistantships. Stipend duration varies (e.g., nine‑month academic year or 12‑month support with summer coverage on some awards or research appointments). Amounts differ by discipline and appointment level; verify current figures with UCLA. - Health insurance is typically included for eligible graduate academic appointees and is bundled for students via the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP). Some fellowships also incorporate insurance and student services fee coverage. - Professional development is a hallmark of UCLA support: assistantships provide mentored teaching and research experience, while Graduate Division programming and campus resources (mentoring, writing support, and inclusive excellence initiatives) help you build a strong scholarly profile. - Funding can strengthen your visa documentation: official fellowship letters or employment offers help demonstrate financial capacity for the I‑20/DS‑2019 process. Keep all original award letters to support visa appointments and entry to the U.S. ## Eligibility - International status: Opportunities on the Graduate Division’s site include options open to non‑U.S. citizens on F‑1/J‑1 visas who are admitted or enrolled in UCLA master’s or doctoral programs. Some awards are restricted to doctoral students or to particular stages (e.g., pre‑candidacy or dissertation phase). - Program‑ and award‑specific criteria: Each fellowship or appointment defines its own requirements, such as field of study, research focus, residency in a specific department or school, or progress benchmarks. Departmental nominations are common for campus‑level awards. - Academic standing and enrollment: Recipients are generally expected to maintain full‑time registration, satisfactory academic progress, and good standing with their program. Minimum GPAs or milestones (e.g., qualifying exams) may apply to certain awards. - Employment and visa compliance: For assistantships, international students must meet campus hiring requirements (e.g., I‑9, SSN acquisition after arrival) and adhere to visa work limits. New international TAs may need to satisfy English language proficiency requirements set by campus policy. - Financial need and merit considerations: Many Graduate Division fellowships are merit‑based; some opportunities may consider financial hardship or contributions to a diverse and inclusive academic community. Always read the individual award page for definitive criteria. ## Required Documents - Program application materials: A complete UCLA graduate application (statement of purpose, transcripts, recommendations) is foundational because departments often use your admissions file to nominate you for Graduate Division funding during review. - Academic records and test scores: Upload unofficial transcripts initially; official transcripts and degree certificates may be required upon admission. Provide proof of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL or IELTS) per UCLA policy, if applicable to your country/institution. - Curriculum vitae and research statements: Maintain an updated CV highlighting research outputs, conference presentations, lab or field experience, and leadership. Some fellowships request a project description, timeline, or brief research plan. - Identity and immigration documentation: A passport identification page is typically required for visa processing; current U.S. residents on another status may submit relevant documents. For I‑20/DS‑2019 issuance, you will later be asked to provide financial documentation matching expected costs. - Letters and supplemental materials: Most internal competitions rely on your admissions letters of recommendation; some awards or assistantships may request updated references, evidence of teaching preparation, or writing samples aligned with the fellowship’s aims. ## How to Apply - Apply early to your academic program: Department deadlines in late fall to early winter often double as the funding consideration window. Indicate interest in funding where prompted, and follow any department‑specific instructions about supplemental fellowship forms. - Use UCLA’s funding tools: Explore the public funding pages to understand categories (fellowships, assistantships, external funding). Once admitted or enrolled, log into SmartRecs for personalized recommendations, set funding alerts, and monitor the Graduate Division funding calendar. - Coordinate with your department: Ask your Student Affairs Officer and faculty adviser how your program nominates students for Graduate Division awards and how TA/GSR hiring is handled. Some units run internal competitions; learn their timelines and required materials. - Pursue graduate student employment: Teaching and research appointments are common pathways to tuition remission and stipends. Identify labs, centers, or courses where your skills fit, and prepare any required pedagogy or safety trainings after arrival. - Apply broadly to external funders: Augment UCLA support with external scholarships (e.g., Fulbright Foreign Student Program, AAUW International Fellowships for women, P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship, or home‑government/industry sponsorships). Verify each funder’s rules for concurrent support with institutional aid. - Prepare for visa and financial documentation: After admission, compile official award letters and bank or sponsor statements to meet university and consular requirements. Keep copies of all communications and confirm disbursement schedules to plan housing and arrival. ## Key Dates - Admissions and nominations: Many departments review funding at the same time as applications (often November–January for the following academic year). Applying by the program’s priority deadline maximizes chances for nomination to Graduate Division awards. - Graduate Division funding calendar: The campus maintains a funding calendar with varied deadlines throughout the year. Check it regularly for competitions relevant to international students, including summer research or dissertation‑stage opportunities where eligible. - Assistantship cycles: TA and GSR postings typically follow the academic quarter system. Hiring decisions are often made a quarter in advance; speak with your department about expected posting windows and onboarding timelines. - External scholarship lead times: Prominent awards (e.g., Fulbright) may require applications 10–15 months before enrollment. Others run on annual cycles with fall or spring deadlines. Always verify on the funder’s official site. - Visa and enrollment milestones: Allow time after award decisions to gather financial proof for your I‑20/DS‑2019, complete any required English certification for TA roles, and meet tuition payment or deferment deadlines published by UCLA. ## Selection Criteria - Academic excellence and research promise: Reviewers look for strong prior training, grades, and evidence of scholarly potential (publications, presentations, portfolios). A coherent research direction aligned with UCLA strengths is advantageous. - Fit and nomination strength: Departmental endorsements matter. Clear alignment with faculty interests, labs, centers, and strategic priorities increases the likelihood of nomination to campus‑level awards and of GSR placements. - Letters of recommendation: Detailed, comparative letters that demonstrate your initiative, independence, and impact carry significant weight. Encourage referees to address your readiness for graduate‑level research and collaboration. - Teaching and professional readiness: For assistantships, evidence of communication skills, pedagogical promise, and relevant technical expertise (e.g., programming, lab methods, statistics) strengthens your case. - Contribution to community and inclusion: Leadership, mentoring, outreach, or service that broadens participation in your field may be considered favorably where relevant to an award’s mission and UCLA’s values. ## Tips for Strong Applications - Start early and be strategic: Map program deadlines, Graduate Division competitions, and external scholarships on a single timeline. Draft statements that can be adapted for both admissions and internal awards without losing specificity. - Demonstrate fit with UCLA: Identify 2–3 faculty members you hope to work with, reference their recent work in your statements, and describe how UCLA’s facilities and centers (e.g., institutes and core labs relevant to your field) enable your goals. - Leverage a portfolio approach: Combine fellowships with TA/GSR roles where possible. Ask your department about multi‑year funding models and how students transition from coursework funding to research appointments. - Strengthen your evidence: Quantify outcomes (publications, conference talks, datasets, code repositories, design awards). Include research methods, languages, or software proficiencies that directly support your proposed work. - Prepare for TA eligibility: If you intend to teach, review UCLA’s English proficiency and pedagogy expectations for international TAs and plan to complete any assessments or training promptly after arrival. - Guidance for African and other international applicants: Contextualize achievements within local resource environments, explain constraints you overcame, and showcase regional impact. Explore adjacent funding such as Fulbright, AAUW (women), P.E.O. IPS, home‑government scholarships, or industry sponsorships; confirm compatibility with UCLA aid. For credential evaluation, provide clear degree documentation and syllabi or abstracts when helpful. ## Official Source - Official page: https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/financial-aid/funding-for-international-students/ - Explore UCLA’s funding ecosystem (public pages): https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/ - Funding calendar (varies by year): https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/calendar/ - Admissions steps and international applicant guidance: https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/steps-to-apply/ and https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/international-applicants/ Note: Award amounts, deadlines, and eligibility differ by fellowship and department. Always verify current details on UCLA’s official pages and with your program’s Student Affairs Officer before relying on any specific benefit or timeline.

What the Partial / Fully Funded UCLA Graduate Division Fellowships for International Students covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Health insurance

UCLA Graduate Division Fellowships for International Students eligibility for United States applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Open to international applicants and students in UCLA master’s and PhD programs
specific awards vary by department and degree stage. Full-time enrollment, good academic standing, and visa/employment compliance are typically required. Always confirm each award’s rules.

Documents required for the UCLA Graduate Division Fellowships for International Students application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the UCLA Graduate Division Fellowships for International Students 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/financial-aid/funding-for-international-students/ and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Open to international applicants and students in UCLA master’s and PhD programs; specific awards vary by department and degree stage. Full-time enrollment, good academic standing, and visa/employment compliance are typic…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Identify a supervisor whose research aligns with yours, exchange emails, and either obtain a conditional offer or confirmation that they will host your project. Many UCLA awards require this before the funding application opens.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a focused 1,000–2,000-word research proposal and a separate personal statement. Tailor every paragraph to the sponsor's stated priorities — generic recycled essays are the most common reason strong applicants are rejected.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/financial-aid/funding-for-international-students/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by Varies by award; consult UCLA’s Graduate Division funding calendar and your department’s priority deadlines. The source page does not list a single fellowship deadline. (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, UCLA will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

UCLA Graduate Division Fellowships for International Students deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the UCLA Graduate Division Fellowships for International Students?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters, PhD level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by UCLA, and be able to relocate to United States for the duration of the programme.

Is the UCLA Graduate Division Fellowships for International Students fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial / Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is Varies by award; consult UCLA’s Graduate Division funding calendar and your department’s priority deadlines. The source page does not list a single fellowship deadline.. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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