Experiential Learning & Leadership Opportunities, Fellowships & Scholarships for PhD & Postdoc

The Bear Treks program offered at the Center for Career Engagement is designed to provide students with immersive, off-campus experiences in various industries. By participating in Bear Treks, students have the opportunity to visit companies and organizations, allowing them to gain valuable insights into different career fields. Local treks are free for students, and for most out-of-town treks, the majority of the fees are covered, making it accessible to a wide range of participants. These visits facilitate direct interactions with industry professionals, enabling students to expand their professional networks and gain a deeper understanding of potential career paths.

For more information, visit Bear Treks.

The Pivot 314 Fellowship led by the Graduate Center is designed to support the professional development of mid-career PhD students by providing them with real-world experience outside academia. Participants engage in the year-long program with a part-time paid internship in community organizations and businesses within the St. Louis area, allowing them to apply their research skills in practical settings. The program aims to foster cross-sector collaboration, enhance professional networks, and develop transferable skills that are valuable in diverse career paths. Fellows receive mentorship and participate in workshops to further develop their professional competencies.

For more information, visit Pivot 314 Program.

The Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship fosters and empowers an inclusive community that transforms ideas into action by finding opportunities in problems. The center builds an ecosystem of education, research, and resources, engaging all WashU students, faculty, alumni, and staff as entrepreneurial leaders and collaborators. WashU’s undergraduate and graduate entrepreneurship programs have consistently ranked in the top 25 of annual rankings. Signature events and resources include entrepreneurship courses, Ideabounce®, Skandalaris summer internship opportunities, the Skandalaris Venture Competition, the Global Impact Award (GIA), and the Student Enterprise Program (STEP) provides further support for student entrepreneurs.

For more information, visit Skandalaris Center.

The Center of Teaching and Learning (CTL) Graduate Fellows Program offers hands-on experience and exposure to the field of Educational Development and related alt-academic work in higher education. Fellows work collaboratively to enhance CTL programs and services, engaging in projects such as supporting graduate student programming, data analytics, co-facilitating workshops, community building, developing teaching resources, and contributing to scholarship on teaching and learning. Each fellow receives guidance from CTL facilitators, ensuring that projects align with their professional goals and providing opportunities for external experiences. For more information, visit Center for Teaching and Learning Graduate Fellows.

Similarly, the Writing Center’s Graduate Fellowships program supports advanced graduate students in their research and writing endeavors, offering fellowships for those who contribute to the center’s mission. Both programs aim to cultivate professional skills and provide valuable experiences that prepare participants for diverse career paths in and out of academia. For more information, visit Writing Center Graduate Fellows.

The Center for the Humanities supports humanists through innovative research, transformative teaching, and community engagement. The university offers significant internal funding to aid research and scholarship, helping graduate students from any discipline compete for external funding. The Center for the Humanities provides several internally funded opportunities, including the Divided City Graduate Summer Research Fellowship, RDE Cluster Grants, Humanities Symposium Grant, NEH Summer Stipend Internal Competition, Graduate Student Fellowships, Reading and Writing Group Grants, and Summer Research Seed Grants. These programs are designed to bolster scholarly activity and foster a vibrant intellectual community.

For more information, visit the Center for the Humanities.

The Center for the Environment supports the development of new research teams and projects within its themes. The center’s programming facilitates general networking and fosters new connections, while also providing targeted support for teams tackling complex, meaningful projects. It hosts the Environmental Graduate Student Community, where graduate students from all schools and departments regularly gather for interdisciplinary learning and community growth. Opportunities for students include presentation practice, speaker events, topical workshops, and social programming. These activities aim to enhance collaboration and advance environmental research efforts across the university.

For more information, visit the Center for the Environment.

The Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity (CRE2) brings the research force of Washington University to study how race and ethnicity are integral to the most complex and challenging issues of our time. CRE2 believes in field-defining research, innovative learning, and strategic engagement that will transform scholarship, policy, and clinical interventions where race and ethnicity are at the center. The center offers an expansive portfolio of funding opportunities that support new and ongoing research to advance our understanding of how race, ethnicity, and equity are integral to the most challenging issues of our global past, present, and futures. Each year, CRE2 offers fellowships for select graduate students interested in the study of race and ethnicity, supporting graduate student research through two fellowship programs: the Incoming PhD Student Fellowship and the Advanced PhD Student Fellowship.

For more information, visit Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity.

The Summer Research Program at Institute for Public Health is open to students who seek challenge, research, and experience in one of three tracks (Public and Global Health Track, Aging and Neurological Diseases Track, Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Track). During this eight-week program, students work with a mentor, engage in research, attend workshops and seminars led by experts, and gain the opportunity to grow academically in a diverse environment. The program is open to national and international students who are full-time college undergraduate, graduate, or health professional students at a U.S.-based institution.

For more information, visit Summer Research Program.

The Graduate Policy Scholars program at the Clark-Fox Policy Institute offers students the opportunity to supplement their robust curriculum with experiences and training outside the classroom. Spanning an academic year, accepted graduate students participate in skill-building and networking opportunities to build capacity for policy practice. Students are offered a host of experiences, including mentoring, advising, and training. Participants can expect to develop skills in advocacy, analysis, and activism; build knowledge of government processes and how to effect change; and engage with policymakers, civic leaders, and change agents. The self-directed program design allows students to choose their personal learning priorities and to work at their own pace. At the same time, multiple mechanisms are employed that provide students with the guidance and support needed to complete the program.

For more information, visit Graduate Policy Scholars.

The Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics (I2DB) at Washington University in St. Louis is a multidisciplinary hub dedicated to advancing research and education in informatics, data science, and biostatistics. I2DB focuses on leveraging data-driven methodologies to address complex challenges in healthcare, biomedical research, and beyond. The institute fosters collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to develop innovative solutions that enhance the understanding and treatment of diseases. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and statistical techniques, I2DB aims to drive transformative discoveries and improve public health outcomes.

For more information, visit Biomedical Informatics and Data Science at I2DB (BIDS@I2DB) Summer Research Internship.

Offered in spring 2025, this mini-seminar aims to equip PhD students with essential professional skills for their careers, focusing on community outreach and experiential learning. Using the podcast Poetry For All as a case study, students will explore the intersection of poetry and public humanities and gain hands-on experience, including helping to facilitate a live podcast recording with poet Pádraig Ó Tuama. By semester’s end, students will have produced a work sample for future career opportunities, developed several transferrable skills, expanded their network, and gained a deeper appreciation for public humanities. These objectives align with WashU’s Redefining Doctoral Education (RDE) initiative, funded by the Mellon Foundation. Each participant receives a $500 stipend.

For more information, visit Mini-Seminar Information and Application.

Serving on a graduate student advisory board empowers you to make meaningful contributions to WashU even if you feel strapped for time. Most groups only meet once a month! By participating, you can directly influence university policies, programs, and initiatives, ensuring that they better meet the needs of graduate students. Such experiences enhance your leadership and communication skills, broaden your professional network, and provide a platform for advocacy. Participation also helps promote a more inclusive environment that benefits all students. Most programs and organizations at WashU have a graduate student advisory board, including the Center for Career Engagement, the Center for Teaching and Learning, Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP), Olin Library, to list only a few. Students and postdocs can get involved and seek leadership roles by participating in these organizations’ events, expressing their interest in leadership positions during meetings or through direct communication with current leaders, and staying informed about recruitment opportunities through these organizations’ websites and newsletters.

Graduate student groups, postdoc organizations, and student leadership are an integral part of WashU’s shared governance tradition and are vital to our graduate and postdoctoral community. As a leader, you have the opportunity to spearhead initiatives, influence change, and advocate for the needs and interests of your peers. Serving as a student organization or postdoc organization leader not only enhances your personal and professional growth but also demonstrates your commitment to fostering a supportive environment. Embracing leadership positions helps you build a robust network, gain practical experience, and stand out in your future career endeavors. These experiences collectively contribute to a vibrant and dynamic academic community at WashU. Students and postdocs can get involved and seek leadership roles by participating in these organizations’ events, expressing their interest in leadership positions during meetings or through direct communication with current leaders, and staying informed about recruitment opportunities through these organizations’ websites and newsletters.

There are many Fellowship & Scholarship opportunities for our PhD & Postdoc scholars as listed below. Obtaining fellowships and scholarships offers not only financial benefits but also valuable opportunities for networking, training, and professional development. These programs provide recipients with access to exclusive resources, mentorship, and connections that can significantly enhance their academic and career prospects.

• Funding Database – The Graduate Center
• Fellowships, Funding, and Support – Office of the Provost
• Fellowships and Awards – Office of Graduate Studies
• Stipends, Benefits & Grants – Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences
• Research Funding – Office of Postdoctoral Affairs