Funding Resources

In addition to the funding package offered by Communication and Media (as outlined in our admissions letter), a variety of programs in the department and across campus have funding available.  

Communication and Media sources include 

• Winthrop B. Chamberlain Scholarship for Graduate Student Research. Students entering the Communication and Media graduate program are eligible to apply for a one-time award of up to $2,500 to support graduate student research expenses at the precandidate-stage. These awards can be used for the First-Year Research Project or other student generated research conducted before students have advanced to candidacy. The funding can be used to supplement awards from Rackham, the International Institute, and other sources 

• Departmental Dissertation Research Award. Graduate students who have achieved candidacy and have had a prospectus approved by their committee are eligible to apply for up-to $5,000 of funds to support their dissertation research.

• Howard R. Marsh Endowments. Candidate-level students may apply for the research grant to support dissertation research related to long-range factors that affect the ability of news media to perform their functions in a democratic society. The topic for the proposal must engage the ability of communication media to perform their functions in a democratic society. Funds up to $5,000 may be awarded.

• Graduate Student Diversity Research Award. Graduate students in any year of the doctoral program are encouraged to apply. Students can request up to $3,000 for the collection or acquisition of data  and/or costs associated with research-related travel. We strongly encourage submissions of student collaborations not led by a faculty member. Requests for funds to supplement other awards will be considered, but must clearly outline how the additional funding will advance DEI. Preference is given to applicants who have not received this award in the past. 

• Department Conference Travel Awards. PhD students making satisfactory progress are eligible for travel grant funding (up to $1,500 during years 1-4 and up-to $1,800 during year 5), to be used if giving a conference paper or participating in a conference panel.

• Professional Organization Membership Fees. Graduate students in Communication and Media are eligible to apply for funds are awarded to support membership fees for ICA and one other professional organization of the student’s choice. Award pool is limited to $150 in total subject to availability of funds.

• Off-Site Summer Training. Graduate students are eligible to apply once throughout their academic career, and within their 5 year funding package to apply for up-to $5,000. Funds are given to support advanced training in research methods and data analysis unavailable at the University of Michigan. 

• Job Market Travel/Expenses. Current job seekers may be reimbursed/funded for expenses related to their job search up to $1,000 total for two consecutive years. This applies to students seeking academic and non-academic positions. Eligible expenses may include dossier services, postage, interview travel funds, and other expenses related to the job search .

• Graduate Student Contingency Fund. The Department has established a Graduate Student Contingency Fund to provide for unanticipated expenses that students may face when they are enrolled in the current semester. Such circumstances might include unanticipated health related expenses or personal property damage. Expenses that will be covered include, but are not limited to health care, non-University program fees, or similar one-time charges; but they will not include tuition or basic living expenses. 

• Term of Defense Funding. The Department of Communication and Media has made funding available to provide up to 4 students per academic year who have exhausted their five-year funding package with a term of defense tuition and health benefits; a stipend will not be provided with the term of defense support. 

U-M Sources Include 

• Rackham Administered Funding for Graduate Students.  Opportunities range from large competitive fellowships that pay tuition and stipends, to targeted grants that assist with foreign language study, dissertation research, and conference travel, to emergency grants and awards designed to help students manage student loan debt.

• CEW+ empowers women and underserved individuals in the University of Michigan and surrounding communities by serving as an advocate and providing resources to help them reach their academic, financial, and professional potential.

• The Institute for the Humanities is a center for innovative, collaborative study in the humanities and arts. Each year we provide fellowships for Michigan faculty, graduate students, and visiting scholars who work on interdisciplinary projects. We also offer a wide array of public and scholarly events, including public lectures, conferences, art exhibitions, and performances.

• U-M Office of Financial Aid Information for Graduate Students.  

• U-M Library Funding for Students Research Guide.  Find scholarships, fellowships, and research grants to fund your U-M education--a guide aimed at undergraduate and graduate students.

• The International Institute provides generous support to graduate students for research abroad, international internships, and the study of less commonly taught languages, as well as conference travel and event funding. 

• Rackham has emergency funding for students who encounter an emergency situation or one-time, unusual, or unforeseen expenses during their degree program.