Masters, PhDPartial to Fully Funded. Funding packages vary and may include stipends, tuition waivers, and health insurance benefits.

UT Austin Graduate School International Student Fellowships

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Heads up — this listing may be outdated.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.

UT Austin offers a robust ecosystem of Graduate School, college/departmental, and external fellowships for master’s and PhD students. Many are open to international applicants, including from Africa. Benefits and deadlines vary by program—verify details with your target department.

Provider: University of Texas at Austin
Host country: United States
Deadline: Varies by program and fellowship. Departmental admission deadlines often fall in late fall to mid-winter for fall entry; nominations and results may follow soon after. LASSO listings run on rolling cycles. Always confirm exact dates with your graduate program.
Region: Texas

Official source

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

UT Austin Graduate School International Student Fellowships is open to African students applying to study in United States at the Masters, PhD level, with partial to fully funded. funding packages vary and may include stipends, tuition waivers, and health insurance benefits. 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 to Fully Funded. Funding packages vary and may include stipends, tuition waivers, and health insurance benefits.
Study level: Masters, PhD
Deadline: Varies by program and fellowship. Departmental admission deadlines often fall in late fall to mid-winter for fall entry; nominations and results may follow soon after. LASSO listings run on rolling cycles. Always confirm exact dates with your graduate program.

Key eligibility criteria

Applicants must apply to and be admitted to a UT Austin master’s or PhD program. Eligibility varies by fellowship, but many are open to international students. Strong academic merit and, for some awards, departmental nomination and full-time enrollment are required.

What the partial to fully funded. funding packages vary and may include stipends, tuition waivers, and health insurance benefits. award covers

Full tuition
Health insurance
Language preparation

About the UT Austin Graduate School International Student Fellowships (2026)

## Overview The UT Austin Graduate School International Student Fellowships refer to a broad ecosystem of graduate funding opportunities coordinated by The University of Texas at Austin’s Graduate School, its colleges and departments, and external sponsors. Rather than a single award, this landscape includes Graduate School Fellowships (nominated by programs), College & Department Fellowships (managed within disciplines), and Externally Funded Fellowships that UT Austin helps students pursue. Crucially, many of these opportunities are open to international students from all regions, including Africa, provided they apply for and are admitted to an eligible master’s or doctoral program at UT Austin. As one of the leading public research universities in the United States, UT Austin offers world‑class faculty, laboratories, libraries, and professional networks. Its location in Austin—an innovation hub with a dynamic tech, energy, and creative economy—creates additional pathways for research collaboration and experiential learning. The Graduate School’s centralized support, combined with strong departmental involvement, helps admitted students assemble funding packages that may include stipends, partial or full tuition support, and health insurance. The Longhorn Awards & Student Scholarship Opportunities (LASSO) portal further streamlines scholarship discovery and application. International applicants, including those based in African countries, will find UT Austin’s model particularly supportive: programs often nominate outstanding candidates for Graduate School Fellowships during the admissions review, while departmental fellowships can be tailored to disciplinary priorities. Meanwhile, the Graduate School encourages students to compete for prestigious external awards and provides guidance for doing so. Because each fellowship has its own rules, timelines, and levels of support, prospective students should review their target program’s admissions and funding pages and consult program staff early. ## Benefits - Funding packages may include monthly stipends, partial or full tuition coverage/waivers, and access to health insurance benefits; exact amounts and structures vary by fellowship and department. - Some awards provide multi‑semester or multi‑year support, while others offer one‑time or short‑term funding (e.g., first‑year recruitment, summer research, or dissertation completion), enabling a customized mix over the degree. - Department- or college‑based fellowships can be closely aligned with your field, giving targeted support for lab work, archival travel, language training, or professional development. - Graduate School Fellowships recognize exceptional academic merit during admissions, helping recruit top international candidates by offsetting costs in the crucial first semesters. - The LASSO portal allows current and prospective students to discover additional scholarships administered across UT Austin, making it easier to complement primary funding sources. - UT Austin’s research environment and Austin’s regional economy expand opportunities for assistantships, collaborations, and career development that enrich the overall value of fellowship support. ## Eligibility - Admission requirement: You must apply to and be admitted to a UT Austin master’s or PhD program; most Graduate School and departmental fellowships are awarded to admitted students via program nomination. - International access: Many fellowships are open to applicants of any nationality, including African students; eligibility details can differ by award, so verify criteria on the fellowship or departmental page. - Academic merit: Strong grades, research potential, and fit with your program’s strengths are core selection factors; competitive applicants typically show rigorous preparation in their discipline. - Enrollment status: Fellowships usually require full‑time enrollment and good academic standing for each supported term; recipients must satisfy Graduate School registration and progress requirements. - Departmental nomination: For Graduate School Fellowships, your prospective program typically nominates you; direct applications may not be available for certain central awards. - Program‑specific constraints: Some fellowships focus on particular fields, stages (e.g., first‑year, candidacy, dissertation), or residency classifications; always confirm the fine print with your graduate coordinator. ## Required Documents - Graduate admissions materials form the core of most fellowship evaluations: a complete application, transcripts, CV/resume, statement of purpose, and recommendation letters are commonly reviewed by selection committees. - Evidence of academic preparation may include degree certificates, course descriptions or syllabi (if requested), and any research output such as publications, posters, portfolios, or writing samples relevant to the field. - English proficiency scores (e.g., TOEFL or IELTS) are required by UT Austin for most non‑native English speakers; strong scores can bolster the case for awards tied to academic performance. - A focused research statement or proposal may be requested for certain departmental or external fellowships (e.g., outlining objectives, methods, timelines, and alignment with faculty expertise at UT Austin). - A funding interest statement or short questions within the application or LASSO portal may ask about financial need, research priorities, or how a fellowship would support your goals. - For visa processing (separate from fellowship review), international admits will later provide financial documentation for I‑20/DS‑2019 issuance; plan for this step even if you anticipate fellowship or assistantship funding. ## How to Apply - Start with your target graduate program: review admissions and funding pages, confirm if the program nominates top applicants for Graduate School Fellowships, and ask about departmental competitions and typical award levels. - Contact the graduate coordinator early: request timelines for funding nominations, internal forms (if any), and guidance on crafting materials that highlight fit with faculty and departmental priorities. - Submit a complete and outstanding application by the program’s admission deadline; many fellowship decisions are made during holistic admissions review, so timeliness and quality are essential. - Explore the LASSO portal for scholarships administered across UT Austin; note eligibility rules, required materials, and internal deadlines, which can differ from central admissions dates. - Investigate external fellowships encouraged by UT Austin (e.g., major international or field‑specific awards); plan backward from sponsor deadlines and coordinate reference letters well in advance. - If eligible and interested, discuss graduate student employment (teaching or research assistantships) with your program—these roles can complement fellowships and often include tuition benefits. ## Key Dates - Deadlines vary by program and fellowship; many fall admissions deadlines occur in the late fall to mid‑winter period, with fellowship nominations commonly made during or shortly after admissions review. - Graduate School‑level fellowship competitions typically align with departmental nomination calendars; ask your program when it submits nominations and when results are communicated. - The LASSO portal lists scholarships on rolling cycles; check it regularly after creating a UT EID and monitor both priority and final deadlines. - External fellowships may have timelines a full year in advance of enrollment; plan early to meet sponsor-specific windows for testing, proposals, and references. - After admission, allow time for any required financial documentation and visa processing; aligning fellowship notifications with visa timelines is critical for international students. ## Selection Criteria - Academic excellence demonstrated through transcripts, rigor of prior coursework, class rank (if available), and any honors or distinctions is a primary factor for many awards. - Research potential and fit with UT Austin’s faculty strengths, centers, and facilities weigh heavily, especially for thesis‑oriented master’s and PhD applicants. - Letters of recommendation that provide concrete evidence of research ability, initiative, and comparative standing among peers strengthen competitiveness. - A compelling statement of purpose or research plan that shows clarity of goals, methodological readiness, and alignment with departmental priorities can distinguish your application. - Contributions to the academic community, including leadership, mentoring, outreach, or perspectives that enhance diversity and inclusion, may be considered in holistic reviews. - Program nomination strategy matters: departments prioritize candidates who best align with their strategic goals and available funding; engage faculty and coordinators to communicate fit. ## Tips for Strong Applications - Tailor your application to UT Austin: reference specific faculty, labs, centers, or research agendas and explain why the UT environment is uniquely suited to your aims. - Show evidence of momentum: include preprints, conference posters, code repositories, portfolios, or work samples to demonstrate readiness to contribute immediately upon arrival. - Cultivate targeted recommendations: brief your referees on UT Austin’s strengths and your planned projects so letters address fit, independence, and potential for high‑impact work. - Clarify your funding plan: indicate openness to fellowships, assistantships, and external awards; this signals planning maturity and can help programs assemble a viable package. - For African and other international applicants: map testing and credential timelines early (English proficiency, transcripts, translations) and use EducationUSA or local advisors to verify documentation standards. - Apply broadly and revisit often: use the LASSO portal, departmental pages, and external databases repeatedly; new opportunities may post throughout the year. ## Official Source - UT Austin Graduate School – Fellowships hub: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/funding/fellowships - Graduate School Fellowships overview: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/funding/fellowships/grad-school - College & Department Fellowships overview: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/funding/fellowships/college-department - Externally Funded Fellowships overview: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/funding/fellowships/externally-funded - Longhorn Awards & Student Scholarship Opportunities (LASSO) portal: https://utexas.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/CMXAdmin/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=1564 - Always verify current eligibility, benefits, and deadlines with your specific UT Austin graduate program and the Graduate School.

What the Partial to Fully Funded. Funding packages vary and may include stipends, tuition waivers, and health insurance benefits. UT Austin Graduate School International Student Fellowships 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.

Full tuition
Health insurance
Language preparation

UT Austin Graduate School International Student Fellowships eligibility for United States applicants

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

Applicants must apply to and be admitted to a UT Austin master’s or PhD program. Eligibility varies by fellowship, but many are open to international students. Strong academic merit and, for some awards, departmental nomination and full-time enrollment are required.

Documents required for the UT Austin Graduate School International Student Fellowships 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 UT Austin Graduate School International Student Fellowships 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://gradschool.utexas.edu/finances/fellowships and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Applicants must apply to and be admitted to a UT Austin master’s or PhD program. Eligibility varies by fellowship, but many are open to international students. Strong academic merit and, for some awards, departmental nom…". 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 University of Texas at Austin 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://gradschool.utexas.edu/finances/fellowships, 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 program and fellowship. Departmental admission deadlines often fall in late fall to mid-winter for fall entry; nominations and results may follow soon after. LASSO listings run on rolling cycles. Always confirm exact dates with your graduate program. (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, University of Texas at Austin 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.

UT Austin Graduate School International Student Fellowships 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.

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Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the UT Austin Graduate School International Student Fellowships?+

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

Is the UT Austin Graduate School International Student Fellowships fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial to Fully Funded. Funding packages vary and may include stipends, tuition waivers, and health insurance benefits.. 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 program and fellowship. Departmental admission deadlines often fall in late fall to mid-winter for fall entry; nominations and results may follow soon after. LASSO listings run on rolling cycles. Always confirm exact dates with your graduate program.. 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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