University Center for International Studies European Studies Center
University Center for International Studies European Studies Center

Graduate Student Funding Opportunities

  1. For Students
  2. Graduate Students
  3. Graduate Student Funding Opportunities

Competitive funding opportunities are available for graduate students focusing on Europe to help support individual research, language training, conference attendance, and conference or event organization. We hold competitions for summer and academic year funding made possible by endowment funds as well as funds provided by the US Department of Education and the European Union.

Rules governing student awards from the European Studies Center can be found on the Award Guidelines for Faculty and Students webpage.

These should be read carefully as failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in a loss of funding. Also take note of the University's Standards and Guidelines.

Please see below to learn more about specific grants, deadlines, eligibility, and application procedures.

 

Alberta Sbragia Graduate Fellowship in European Studies

Applications due February 24, 2025. Click here to apply.
Purpose:
Established in 2011, the Alberta Sbragia Fund for Graduate European Studies is a living memorial to honor Professor Alberta Sbragia, founding Director of the European Studies Center, and her commitment to education and mentoring of young scholars.

Eligibility:
Open to PhD students at the University of Pittsburgh for dissertation assistance, research or publication support, or travel for research in relevant European countries.

Funding:
  • Awards range from $1,500 to $2,000.
  • Applicants are encouraged to show efforts to secure matching funds from their department, school, or other external sources.
Application Procedure:
  • Complete and submit an application on Submittable.
  • Upload a detailed budget listing all estimated expenses.
  • Upload a written proposal of no more than five double-spaced pages. In the text of the proposal, please include a section addressing precisely how the funds will be used.
  • Upload a copy of the IRB approval documentation (if applicable).

Pre and Post Award Guidelines:

Please consult the Pre and Post Award Guidelines before applying for information on how funds may be used and the grant and reporting obligations. For questions on eligibility or for further information, please contact Erica Edwards, Associate Director.

FLAS Fellowships

Applications due February 17, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EST. Click here to apply.
Purpose:
FLAS fellowships are administered by the U.S. Department of Education through selected grantee institutions. The University of Pittsburgh has been selected as a grantee institution for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships for the 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 academic years. The FLAS Fellowship program is a prestigious and competitive federal award that allows eligible Pitt undergraduate and graduate students to compete for fellowships that will allow them to devote greater attention to the study of a chosen modern foreign language and area studies specialty.

Eligibility:
Awards are available to Pitt undergraduate and graduate students focusing on Arabic, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, French, Gaelic, German, Greek (Modern), Hebrew (Modern), Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, or Turkish.

Funding:
The Fellowship covers some or all tuition costs, may cover fees, and provides awardees with a stipend. There are separate competitions for the Academic Year FLAS Fellowship (2025-2026) and the Summer FLAS Fellowship.The Fellowships are offered for the 2025 summer term or the 2025-26 academic year.

Application Procedure:
Please visit the FLAS Fellowship website for additional information and application details. Interested students should meet with Steve Lund.

Spring or Summer 2025 Graduate Student Professional Development Grants

Applications due February 24, 2025. Click here to apply.
Purpose:
Professional Development Grants provide funding to graduate students who are presenting papers at a conference or participating in other professional development opportunities. The funds are designed to help students develop skills germane to their interests (research or teaching) related to Europe or to explore international careers. Examples of eligible projects include (but are not limited to) presenting a paper at a professional conference, commissioning a survey, taking a methods course, enrolling in a digital humanities course, or an internship abroad (funds can be used towards living or travel expenses to help make the internship possible).

Eligibility:
Awards are available to Pitt graduate students.

Funding:
  • Awards range from $500 to $700.
  • Applicants are encouraged to show efforts to secure matching funds from their department, school, or other external sources.
Application Procedure:
  • Complete and submit an application on Submittable.
  • Upload a detailed budget listing all estimated expenses.
  • Upload a written proposal of no more than two double-spaced pages. The proposal should detail how the funding will help advance your research or your career goals.

Pre and Post Award Guidelines:

Please consult the Pre and Post Award Guidelines before applying for information on how funds may be used and the grant and reporting obligations. For questions on eligibility or for further information, please contact Steve Lund, Assistant Director, or Erica Edwards, Associate Director.

Small Grants

Applications due by February 24, 2025; all applications must be submitted 30 days before the planned event or travel. Click here to apply.
Purpose:
Small Grants provide support to graduate students for conference travel . Awards are also available for events and presentations that align with the Center’s mission and research priorities. We consider requests for modest funding for events held on any of Pitt's campuses. This funding can also be applied to support visitors participating in these events.
 
These awards are meant to supplement departmental or other funding. If an award is granted, the ESC requests that the Center be acknowledged as a co-sponsor of any lecture or activity that receives funding. The ESC will also help publicize such co-sponsored events to students, faculty, and community members.

Eligibility:
Awards are available to Pitt graduate students only.

Funding:
  • Awards range from $300 (domestic travel) to $500 (foreign travel).
  • Applicants must show efforts to secure matching funds from their department, school, or other external sources.
  • Awards are available on a rolling basis, with one half of the funds available for successful applications submitted during the first half of the University’s fiscal year (July – December) and the other half available for applications submitted during the second half of the fiscal year (January – June). Applicants submitting proposals after all the funds earmarked for a given 6-month period have been spent will be offered the opportunity to resubmit during the next 6-month period.
Application Procedure:
  • Complete and submit an application on Submittable.
  • Upload a detailed budget listing all estimated expenses.
  • Upload a written proposal of no more than five double-spaced pages. In the text of the proposal, please include a section addressing precisely how the funds will be used.

Pre and Post Award Guidelines:

Please consult the Pre and Post Award Guidelines before applying for information on how funds may be used and the grant and reporting obligations. For questions on eligibility or for further information, please contact Erica Edwards, Associate Director.

GSPIA-Sciences Po Student Exchange and Tuition Scholarship

Applications due February 24, 2025. Click here to apply.
Purpose:
The University of Pittsburgh offers a direct exchange program for GSPIA graduate students with Sciences Po in Paris, France, one of the most prestigious universities in France and in the world. Students have access to the majority of Sciences Po’s Masters programs, though linguistic or academic prerequisites may exist. Possible programs of study relevant to GSPIA students include: Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA), Master of European Affairs, Master of Public Policy, Master in Governing the Large Metropolis, Master of Regional and Urban Strategies.
Courses are taught in English and/or French; proficiency in French is not required to take classes, write papers or take exams for English language courses. A working knowledge of French will assist students with non-academic practical matters.
Visit the Sciences Po website, for more information about available programs. See a full list of programs and requirements. Contact Steve Lund for more information about the program.
The application must be coordinated with and approved by the University’s European Studies Center (ESC).

Eligibility:
In order to participate in the Sciences Po exchange, you must have at least a 3.5 QPA and be a second year Masters-level student. Many of the programs are taught in English. However, students intending to take courses at Sciences Po taught in French must speak, understand, read and write French at a level adequate to perform graduate-level research in that language. If you do not meet these requirements but would still like to be considered for participation, please complete the application but include a justification in your statement of interest based upon your program of study while in Paris.

Funding:

The scholarship covers some or all tuition costs. Tuition costs will be paid directly to Pitt. Students will be responsible for all costs of living in Paris, but tuition will be paid directly to Pitt.

Application Procedure:
  • Complete and submit an application on Submittable.
  • Upload a statement of interest (max 600 words) explaining your qualifications, why you want to study at Sciences Po, and what program of study you would pursue there./li>
  • Request a letter of recommendation from a Pitt faculty member. The letter should be sent directly by the faculty member to Steve Lund at slund@pitt.edu.

International Studies Fund (ISF)

The International Studies Fund (ISF) is intended to help students at the University of Pittsburgh to conduct research on international issues or in international settings. “International” is defined as relating to another country or culture, comparative analysis covering more than one country or culture, studies of international relations or of transnational activities, or studies which examine topics related to global issues.
Important: ISF grants may not be used for tuition, language study, internships, and other non-research related expenses. Conference, workshop or symposium travel is not eligible for funding under the ISF program. The application deadline is mid-March.

Click here for additional information and application details.

Nationality Rooms Scholarships

The Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs began in 1926. As committees completed their rooms, they turned their attention to creating study abroad scholarships. The Nationality Rooms have awarded scholarships for summer study abroad annually since 1948. The purpose of the awards is to enable University of Pittsburgh students to have an in-depth immersion in another culture for at least five weeks. It is important that applicants choose a program that will maximize their contact with the populace abroad and be accepted by the University for credit.

Click here for additional information and application details.

DAAD Funding Opportunities

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers a wide range of scholarships, fellowships, and grants to undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. Due to the long-standing relationship between DAAD and the University of Pittsburgh, Pitt is designated as a Partner University. As a result, Pitt may nominate one graduate-level scholarship or grant applicant for priority consideration by DAAD. Applications not nominated will still be entered into the general DAAD competition.

For more information please consult the DAAD website and contact Lesha Greened, Scholarship Mentor in the Honors College, and DAAD Coordinator for the University of Pittsburgh.

Other Opportunities