The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, has announced an expansion of its Fellowship Program from a total distribution of $345,000 each year to $615,000 beginning in 2019. The increased funding will support 58 fellowships for outstanding students entering their first year of graduate or professional study.
Established in 1932, the Fellowship Program annually provides funding to first-year graduate students who are pursuing post-baccalaureate degrees across all academic disciplines. Endorsed by their local chapter, Phi Kappa Phi Fellows go on to study at some of the nation’s top graduate schools.
“The Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship, the Society’s first and now signature award, has provided financial support to exceptional students beginning their graduate education for more than 85 years,” said Dr. Mary Todd, executive director of the Society. “We are pleased to uphold our longstanding commitment to recognizing academic excellence and look forward to continuing our support of emerging scholars through the expansion of the program.”
Beginning in 2019, Phi Kappa Phi will award 50 fellowships at $8,500 each, up from $5,000 each; six Marcus L. Urann Fellowships at $20,000, up from $15,000; a new 1897 Fellowship at $35,000; and a newly endowed Sherrill Carlson Fellow at $35,000.
The selection process for a fellowship is based on the applicant’s evidence of graduate potential, undergraduate academic achievement, service and leadership experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement of educational perspective and career goals, and acceptance in an approved graduate or professional program.
Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships are part of the Society’s robust award programs, which distribute nearly $1 million each year to outstanding members through study abroad grants, graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.
The application process for the 2019 Fellowship Program will open December 15. Each active Phi Kappa Phi chapter may submit one candidate from among its local applicants to compete Society-wide for a fellowship. The national deadline for chapters to submit an applicant is April 15, 2019.
To learn more about the fellowships and other Society awards, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/awards.