The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics offers competitive assistantships and fellowships to help alleviate the cost of higher education and make attending graduate school more affordable. Approximately 95% of our current full-time, on-campus graduate students are supported by departmental teaching assistantships, grant-based research assistantships, or internal and external graduate fellowships and grants.
Our Ph.D. students are guaranteed funding for the duration of study through research or teaching assistantships. We offer a competitive annual stipend, a generous benefits package, and full coverage of tuition and fees. For additional financial support, we encourage students to seek other funding sources.
Departmental Graduate Funding Opportunities
Teaching and Research Assistantships for Graduate Students
A call for Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GAT) will be sent to all Biochemistry and Biophysics graduate students each March (for fall) and October (for spring). Students may apply via the online application by the given deadline.
Grant-based graduate student support is also available in the form of Graduate Research Assistantships (GAR). Interested students should contact their faculty advisor to determine the availability of research assistantship positions.
Department Scholarships and Awards
The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics offers several scholarships for graduate students. Students must be enrolled full-time during the semesters the scholarship is awarded. Scholarship awards vary depending on the availability of funds each year. Students must complete the University Scholarship Application between October 15 and February 1 each year.
Fellowships and Assistantships for Prospective Graduate Students
The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics invites nominations for graduate assistantships and fellowships available to qualified incoming graduate students matriculating each fall semester funds are available. Outstanding prospective doctoral students are given first priority for awards. However, exceptional prospective master’s students (thesis-based) are also considered, where applicable.
A call for nominations for available fellowships will be sent each fall for the following academic year. To be eligible for one of these awards, prospective students must:
- Have an undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or above, or have an M.S. degree in a relevant field;
- Be a new doctoral or master’s student majoring in Biochemistry and Biophysics;
- Have already applied for graduate admission to Texas A&M University and have a complete application package on file;
- Meets the criteria of the gift agreement, and
- Must not be related to a Board of Regents Member
University-level Graduate Funding Opportunities
Texas A&M Graduate Fellowships
Competitive fellowships are available from the Texas A&M Graduate and Professional School for incoming masters or doctoral students. Your faculty nominates you for the fellowship. You must have a complete graduate school application on file with the department by December 1 prior to your incoming fall semester. Recipients are chosen by a university-wide selection committee. The department provides matching funds, in the form of a teaching or research assistantship.
Dissertation Fellowship
The Texas A&M Graduate and Professional School provides a Dissertation Fellowship that includes a $1,600 monthly stipend and up to $2,634 for health insurance in order to assist with the writing and organization of the dissertation.
Distinguished Dissertation Award
The TAMU Distinguished Dissertation Award provides $1,000 to a recipient of Texas A&M University doctoral degree whose dissertation made a significant and impactful contribution to their discipline.
Distinguished Graduate Student Award
The Association of Former Students offers the Distinguished Graduate Student Award to a student that exemplifies excellence in research as well excellence in teaching. Recipients are awarded with an engraved watch and framed certificate.
George W. Kunze Endowed Graduate Student Award
The George W. Kunze Endowed Graduate Student Award is given to doctoral students near completion of their degree.
Montgomery Award
The Montgomery Award is given to a student leader whose service has impacted the Texas A&M grad student body at large and includes a personalized award plaque and $1,000.
Travel Awards
Texas A&M Graduate and Professional School Travel Awards offer varying amounts for both domestic and international travel.
U.S. Senator Phil Gramm Doctoral Fellowship
The U.S. Senator Phil Gramm Doctoral Fellowship is awarded to current grad students who exemplify the meaning of scholar/mentor through their demonstrated abilities in teaching and research.
External Funding Opportunities
American Heart Association Fellowship
The American Heart Association Fellowship provides 1–2 years of support including an annual stipend of $24,816, $4,200 a year towards health insurance, and $2,000 a year of project support.
American Society for Microbiology Research Capstone Fellowship
The American Society for Microbiology Research Capstone Fellowship provides professional development funds up to $2,000 for underrepresented minorities to attend the ASM Microbe Meeting and the ASM Microbe Academy for Professional Development.
Department of Defense Science Mathematics and Research for Transformation Fellowship
The Department of Defense Science Mathematics and Research for Transformation Fellowship includes full tuition and fees, an annual stipend of $25,000–$38,000, health insurance allowance of up to $1200, and an annual $1000 travel allowance for up to 5 years. Recipients are offered employment by the DoD upon graduation.
Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship
The Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship provides full tuition and fees, an annual $38,000 stipend, and an annual $1000 travel allowance for up to 4 years.
Ford Foundation Fellowship
The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, on behalf of the Ford Foundation, offers a fellowship that provides 3 years of support including an annual stipend of $27,000.
Hertz Foundation Fellowship
Hertz Foundation provides up to 5 years of support, including a stipend of $34,000 per 9 months. This fellowship can be accepted in the same term as other fellowships.
National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Science Policy Fellowship
National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Science Policy Fellowship provides support for students who have finished, or are finishing, their Ph.D. and wish to transition into science policy. This fellowship includes an annual stipend of $55,000–$60,000, $5,000 towards professional development and additional funding to attend conferences.
National Defense Science and Engineering Fellowship
National Defense Science and Engineering Fellowship Program provides up to 3 years of support, including a $3,200 monthly stipend and an annual health insurance allowance of $1,200.
National Institutes of Health Graduate Professional Partnership
The National Institute of Health offers a Graduate Professional Partnership program where part or all of dissertation research is conducted under PI at NIH. Funding must be provided by the PI you work under.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program provides up to 3 years of support, including $34,000 annual stipend and $12,000 yearly tuition and fees allowance
Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program
Smithsonian offers a fellowship in Genomics and Medical Science. They also offer the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program, and Secretary’s Distinguished Research Fellowship. See fellowship web pages for award amounts and durations.
Other External Funding Sources
Graduate Fellowships from National and Private Agencies
- Fulbright Program: U.S. students (for study and research abroad)
- Fulbright Program: Non-U.S. students (for study and research in the U.S.)
- Philanthropic Educational Organization P.E.O. Scholar awards
- Southern SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education) graduate student grants
- US National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Opportunities Worldwide
- US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fellowships Grants Program
- US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding opportunities
- US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Presidential Management Fellows Program
- Welder Wildlife Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program