New Applicants (Incoming Ph.D. Students)

Frederick Douglass Doctoral Scholars Assistantship

The Frederick Douglass Doctoral Scholars Assistantship is awarded to eligible new/incoming Ph.D. students pursuing rigorous doctoral research/scholarship (renewable for current Douglass Doctoral Scholars). The assistantship is open to eligible students pursuing doctoral studies in any program of study within the Graduate School. The Frederick Douglass Doctoral Scholars Assistantship award is offered on a competitive basis upon recommendation by the candidate’s prospective department and the Financial Aid Advisory Committee. 

Funding type: Assistantship 
Degree: Ph.D. 
Audience: Incoming Ph.D. Students
Deadline (Only for Incoming Ph.D. Students): Saturday, Nov 15, 2025, 11:59 PM ET

What the Award Is

Award (AY 2026-2027):

  • Full tuition (student fees not included)
  • $24,000 stipend (Fall & Spring)
  • Renewable for up to 3 years (with continued eligibility)
  • Year 4 tuition-only support possible for students who have achieved candidacy
  • You may apply to one Graduate School competitive award (Bouchet, Douglass, or McNair)

Who Should Apply

Applicants must:

  • Be first-time Graduate School Ph.D. applicants to Howard University
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 from current/most recently attended institution
  • Fall entry only (Spring applicants are not eligible)
  • Eligible programs: Any Ph.D. program in the Graduate School

Scholar Expectations

Douglass Scholars must:

  • Fulfill assistantship duties (15 hrs/week research or TA each term)
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
  • Participate in Annual Research Month
  • Refrain from outside employment

How to Apply (3 Steps)

*You must complete/submit both the online funding form and PDF funding application (Part 1 and Part 2) below for your application to be considered complete.

Complete Part 1 and 2 of the Funding Application (Steps 1 and 2)*

Due: Nov 15, 2025, 11:59 PM ET (First-time Ph.D. applicants)

  • Step One:  Complete and Submit Online: Part 1: Online Funding Form (Click button below)
  • Step Two: Download & Complete the Part 2: PDF Funding Application (Click button below)
     
Part 1: Online Funding Form Part 2: PDF Funding Application
Email your Single PDF Application (Step 3)

Due: Nov 15, 2025, 11:59 PM ET (First-time Ph.D. applicants)

Your one PDF must include:

  • Completed Part 2: PDF Funding Application (with required essay)
  • All unofficial transcript(s) you used in your admission application
  • Your Statement of Purpose/Statement of Academic and Professional Goals (same as what you submitted with your admission application)

Email Submission Instructions

PDF File-Naming: Use the part of your email address before the "@" sign (no periods)

  • Example: If your email is graduateschool@howard.edu, name the PDF file graduateschool.

Email Subject Line: Douglass Award
Send to: graduateschool@howard.edu 
Application Due: Saturday, Nov 15, 2025, 11:59 PM ET

Timeline

  • Forms available: Oct 1, 2025
  • Application due: Nov 15, 2025, 11:59 PM ET
  • Decision notification: by Mar 1, 2026 (via email)

Helpful Notes

  • Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
  • Students admitted previously who deferred to Fall are eligible to apply as new students.
  • Questions? Email: Ms. Gloria Lloyd at glloyd@howard.edu  or graduateschool@howard.edu