Research Enhancement and Leadership (REAL) Fellowship

The Research Enhancement and Leadership (REAL) Fellowship is designed to increase diversity in humanities and arts, social sciences, education, nursing, and business. Diversity is broadly defined as underrepresentation within the department, college, and discipline (and is not solely based on race or ethnicity). The REAL fellowship is awarded to outstanding doctoral or MFA students from underrepresented groups in the humanities and arts, social sciences, education, nursing, and business. The fellowship provides four years of summer support in the form of a $6,000 fellowship each summer (two years for MFA students). In addition, nominating departments are required to provide REAL Fellows academic year funding (stipend, tuition waiver, and health benefits) for PhD (5 years of support) and MFA (3 years of support) students. Only Graduate Program Director or Admission Chair can nominate incoming students who have been admitted to a UMass Amherst doctoral or MFA program. 

Awardees are selected by the REAL selection committee. REAL Fellows are included in a variety of programs, including informal, monthly mentoring meals, professional development workshops, and other events designed to facilitate a cohesive community of young scholars. They are part of a vibrant and supportive community of graduate students, faculty, and staff who are all committed to graduate student success here at UMass Amherst. Currently, there are over 172 students in the REAL Fellowship Program.

Eligibility is limited to students entering PhD or MFA  in the humanities and arts, social sciences, education, nursing, and business.  Please note that students cannot simultaneously receive a REAL fellowship and a Spaulding-Smith fellowship. 

Program Guidelines as a REAL Fellow:

• Maintain continuous enrollment as a full-time student in your program and make satisfactory progress towards your degree. 
• Serve as a peer mentor for incoming fellows in your discipline/field after your first year.
• Participate in community, mentoring, and professional development programs hosted by the Graduate School Office of Inclusion and Engagement throughout the academic year. 
• Fellows are required to attend one event per semester hosted by the Office of Professional Development. 

REAL Fellows are eligible (but not guaranteed) to earn one Fellows Travel Grant (up to $600) per academic year. Please submit your Travel Report .

Questions?

Please contact the oie [at] grad [dot] umass [dot] edu (Office of Inclusion & Engagement).

If you are a Graduate Program Director or Admission Chair and Interested in nominating an accepted student for a REAL Fellowship — this can be done in Slate.