Graduate Diversity Fellowship

The State University of New York’s (SUNY) mission and values are grounded in four foundational
pillars that are integral to all that we do: student success; research and scholarship; diversity, equity,
and inclusion; and economic development and upward mobility. As part of this commitment, the
Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program (GDFP) is designed to direct aid to graduate/professional
students who have demonstrated academic achievement and overcome a disadvantage or other
impediment to success in higher education. Candidates will contribute to the diversity of the student
body by demonstrating their commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion
efforts in their academic programs and/or activities.

Campus Eligibility: University state-operated and statutory colleges are eligible to participate in this
program

Program Eligibility Requirements 2026-2027

To participate in the GDFP, candidates are required to:

1. Be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status;
2. Demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education; and
3. Demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the diversity of the student body by facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and/or campus activities.

Even though financial need is not a requirement for program eligibility, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility.

Preference will be given to candidates who are:

From a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans.

Non-Discrimination Law Compliance Language Requirement: The Graduate Diversity Fellowship
Program (GDFP) is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin,
or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All
application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.

Priorities
1. Step I: New graduate students who are being recruited but who have not yet accepted admission to a
University graduate program. This first priority consideration aims to recruit students who otherwise
would not come to the University, especially New York State residents.
2. Step II: Graduate Opportunity Waiver Program students who can be awarded a stipend to supplement
their waiver to tuition.
3. Step III: Currently enrolled doctoral candidates who have completed all degree requirements but the
dissertation (“ABD”).
4. Step IV: Graduate Assistants and Teaching Assistants who can receive a supplement to their current
stipends to enhance their retention in graduate studies

All campus distributions are pending annual state budget approval. While we have been awarding campuses scholarships for many years, funding may not be guaranteed every year.