Ernest E. Just-Percy L. Julian Graduate Research Fellowship

This application is for the Ernest E. Just-Percy L. Julian Graduate Research Fellowship. The
awardee of a Just-Julian Fellowship works with a faculty member or a research scientist in support
of research projects. Just-Julian fellowships are highly competitive. All applicants must ensure they
satisfy any additional departmental application requirements associated with the fellowship.

What the Award Is

Award (AY 2026-2027):

Full tuition (student fees not included)
$24,000 stipend (academic year)
One year award (non renewable)

PURPOSE OF THE AWARD

The Just-Julian Fellowship is designed to give Ph.D. students an opportunity to gain experience in their respective academic field by (a) completing research that supports a faculty member or research scientist’s research project or (b) completing research related to their own project under the close guidance of a faculty member or research scientist. In both cases, Ph.D. students are appointed to the title Just-Julian Fellows and are selected based on academic achievement and research interest/potential. Just-Julian fellows conduct research under the direction and supervision of a faculty member or research scientist who has an active research agenda. The award is intended to assist in preparing graduate students to undertake their own future research endeavor(s) and to provide graduate students with the experience of applying for external funding. The Just-Julian fellowship is unique from assistantships in the Graduate School in that the fellowship does not involve teaching at any point during the fellowship period.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be Ph.D. students in good academic standing (without any previous or pending academic infractions) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. The following requirements must also be met:
•Applicants must be enrolled full-time (or in candidacy and enrolled for at least 1 credit hour) at the time of application
•Applicants must demonstrate that they are making good progress toward the degree
•Applicants must receive an endorsement by a faculty or research scientist actively involved in research in the applicant’s field

CRITERIA

Eligible students must complete an application, which includes the following items:

A completed application cover form
A 300-word description of the project
A short statement that answers the following three questions:
- What do you hope to accomplish academically and professionally through this Just-Julian Assistantship?
- What new knowledge will be produced as a result of this assistantship?
- What pre-doctoral, dissertation, or postdoctoral funding opportunities will you apply for by the end of the fellowship period?
A curriculum vitae or resume that reflects your academic profile and research experience and other relevant experience
A copy of your unofficial HU transcript
A letter of endorsement from your faculty or research scientist sponsor
Curriculum vitae of the faculty or research scientist sponsor

Note: For projects that support the faculty or research scientist’s research projects, the letter of endorsement should be accompanied by a statement that outlines (a) the overall scope of the research and the students’ role, (b) the academic and research supervision and experience the student will receive; (c) the type of support the student will receive related to applying for external funding.

SELECTION

The Ernest E. Just-Percy L. Julian Graduate Research Assistantship selection process is competitive. An independent Graduate Faculty Review Committee, identified and appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School, will evaluate each application submitted by the posted due date. Selections will be based on the criteria listed above. Students and their faculty sponsors will be notified of selection decisions before the start of the new academic year.

Incomplete and/or late application packets will not be considered. There will be no exceptions.

DEADLINES

Applications must be submitted to GraduateSchool@howard.edu as a single PDF file by Tuesday January 20, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. The subject line should be your first/last name (Student ID) – Just Julian Fellowship Application (e.g. Nia Jones (@12343209) – Just-Julian Fellowship Application). Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. There will be no exceptions.

A Just-Julian Fellowship is a one-time award. Students who are awarded this fellowship are not automatically awarded assistantship support from their programs or from the Graduate School in subsequent years, though Bouchet, Douglass, and McNair scholars can apply for renewal to those assistantships after having served as a Just-Julian fellow. In all cases, students must demonstrate that they have applied for external support (that is minimally $24K) when applying for a subsequent year graduate research assistantship support.

Application

To be considered for a Just-Julian Fellowship at Howard University, please provide the following information:

Just-Julian Research Fellowship

SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO:

graduateschool@howard.edu by 11:59 P.M. EST on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Deadline: Tuesday January 20, 2026 by 11:59 P.M. EST