Apply to become a Schaefer Center graduate fellow.

The Schaefer Center offers a limited number of graduate fellowships for full‐time, University of Baltimore graduate students. Graduate fellows work in the center 20 hours per week while attending graduate school on a full time basis. Schaefer Center graduate fellows assist on Center projects in a variety of ways. Typical graduate fellow assignments include collecting primary and secondary data, reviewing data for accuracy, assisting research staff with field interviews, providing support services for the center’s training programs and strategic planning activities, data analysis utilizing SPSS, preparation of charts and graphs and library research.

Qualifications:

  • a background or interest in public policy research, program evaluation, survey research, strategic planning or other policy related areas
  • enrolled or planning to enroll in at least 9 credits per semester as a graduate student at the University of Baltimore
  • minimum undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.0

Application deadlines:

  • fall semester: April 15
  • spring semester: November 15

*The interview process is usually finished by June 15 for the fall semester and November 30 for the spring semester.

Application materials:

  1. Application. Complete a Schaefer Center graduate fellowship application.
  2. Resume. Include a professional resume that highlights your experiences and accomplishments.
  3. Letters of recommendation. Have  two  professors or employers write letters of recommendation on your behalf.
  4. Essay. In a three to five page essay, please answer the following questions:
    *Why did you decide to attend graduate school?
    *What are your career goals and aspirations?
    *How will receiving a Schaefer Center fellowship fit in with your academic and career goals?
    *How will the Schaefer Center benefit from awarding you a fellowship?

Application deadline:

Applications are due by April 15th for Fall fellowships and November 15th for Spring fellowships.
(Note, fellowships are typically awarded for the fall semester. It is rare that fellowships become available in the Spring semester.)

Application review process:

Applications are preliminarily screened for completeness.

Applicants who submit complete applications and who meet the minimum qualifications are screened by Schaefer Center staff, and the top applicants are selected for virtual or in-person interviews to be conducted by one or two Schaefer Center staff members. Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis with GPA, previous work experience, educational goals, research and public policy interests, references, and overall suitability to the work of the Schaefer Center.

NOTE: Graduate fellows are required to work on-campus.

Please click the arrow to submit your completed application.

Award package:

Schaefer Center fellowships are generally awarded on an academic year basis. Graduate fellows receive full tuition remission up to 9 credits per semester and a stipend of $6,000.00 per semester. A full-year package (two semesters) is 18 credits and a $12,000 stipend. In addition, fellows are given the opportunity to continue to work at the Center during the summer.


Contact us:

For more information about Schaefer Center graduate fellowships, please contact:

Dr. Sarah Ficenec
Research Manager
Email: sficenec@ubalt.edu
Phone: 410-837-6203