The School of Education Graduate Research Scholars (Ed-GRS) Program (housed within the School of Education’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) is a community of graduate students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds receiving the Advanced Opportunity Fellowship in the School of Education. In addition to a stipend, tuition, and health care benefits, the program offers assistance to our fellows with their first-year transition, community building, and professional development.
About the Program
Program Overview
Students participating in Ed-GRS receive comprehensive financial, academic, and social support in their journey through graduate school.
Meet our Fellows
Ed-GRS students come from a wide variety of disciplines, academic backgrounds, and life experiences. Learn more about our current cohort.
Meet Our Team
A diverse group of faculty and professional staff provide leadership and management of Ed-GRS.
Program Overview
Benefits (for fellows entering fall 2022 or later)
- Tuition remission
- Welcome check to incoming students
- Monthly stipend
- PhD students: 5 academic years and 4 summers
- MFA students: 3 academic years and 2 summers
- Conference travel awards of up to $1,500 per year
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage
- Community building and professional
development activities
Expectations (for fellows entering fall 2022 or later)
- Attend fall Ed-GRS Welcome & Orientation
- Attend weekly professional development seminar
- Meet with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Graduate Program Manager once per semester
- Meet satisfactory academic progress determined by the departments
Eligibility and Nomination Process
To determine your eligibility, please visit the UW–Madison Graduate School Graduate Research Scholars Communities page. Once students have been accepted to one of our graduate programs, a committee of faculty members in each department reviews profiles of eligible applicants and submits a ranked list of nominees to the Ed-GRS director. Once the nominations have been approved by the Ed-GRS director, each department will contact the potential fellows directly. Students must accept or decline the offer no later than April 15.
Fellowship Information
Housing Priority for Incoming Fellows
Incoming fellows are eligible for priority housing. If you requested and did not receive an application for housing, it is available online at University Apartments Application. Write “Fellowship” at the top.
In addition to funding, Ed-GRS offers its fellows opportunities for professional development, networking, community building, and connecting with faculty members. Through Ed-GRS, students are members of a supportive community of UW–Madison graduate students, faculty, and staff in the School of Education. Ed-GRS is a part of a larger community of GRS programs at UW–Madison.
Other student groups and associations at UW–Madison
Graduate School Office of Diversity, Funding, and Inclusion
The Graduate School Office of Diversity, Funding, and Inclusion (ODIF) provides an infrastructure and access to resources and services for graduate students who seeks community, learning, professional development, and educational/cultural enhancements within a multicultural context. ODIF is unique in that it is housed within the Graduate School and seeks to create a family atmosphere for all graduate students who participate.
More Information
For more information on fellowship benefits, fees, requirements, processes, and more, visit the UW–Madison Graduate School Fellowships page.
The Evolution of Ed-GRS
Ed-GRS: Prior to 2022
2006-2022
Initially, Ed-GRS was funded by the Wisconsin Advanced Opportunity Program and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation to support underrepresented students in Master’s and PhD programs. Ed-GRS brought students together from across the School of Education for a range of social, academic, professional development, and research-related activities. Ed-GRS covered students’ tuition and segregated fees and provided a stipend during their first year and one of their dissertator years.
WCER Fellows
2017-2022
In 2017, the School of Education’s Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) launched the WCER Fellows Program. WCER Fellows built off of the foundation laid by the Ed-GRS program to provide a more holistic, wrap-around approach. WCER Fellows received full four years of funding, an annual travel stipend, coverage of tuition and segregated fees, and a weekly pro-seminar series.
Ed-GRS: Following 2022
2022 and beyond
After securing additional financial support from the School of Education, the WCER and Ed-GRS fellowships merged in 2022 so that the School could offer a wrap-around, holistic experience to a larger number of students. In the current version of Ed-GRS, students receive five years of funding (including the chance for summer salary), annual travel stipends, coverage of tuition and segregated fees, and a pro-seminar series focused on professional development.
Got a question?
Please contact Tricia S. Dusick
OEDI Graduate Program Manager
tsdusick@wisc.edu