The University of Notre Dame has opened its graduate application process for 2027, offering fellowship opportunities for outstanding PhD students. The Arthur J. Schmitt Presidential Leadership Fellowship supports graduate students in science and engineering.
The fellowship covers full tuition and provides an annual living allowance. Selected students also receive full coverage of the university’s student health insurance premium.
Applicants do not submit a separate fellowship application. Instead, they apply for admission to an eligible graduate program, after which departments nominate candidates for competitive fellowship consideration.
Arthur J. Schmitt Fellowship Benefits
The fellowship can provide financial support for up to five years. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward their degrees to continue receiving funding.
The benefits include:
- Full tuition coverage
- Annual stipend
- 12-month stipend support each year
- Full premium coverage for the university’s student health insurance plan
- Funding for up to five years, subject to academic progress
Notre Dame’s benefits information lists an annual stipend of $45,540. However, the same university page reportedly gives an overview figure of $44,000.
Applicants should confirm the stipend amount applicable to their 2027 fellowship with Notre Dame before relying on either figure.
The fellowship receives support from the Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation. The foundation has supported graduate education and research in science and engineering at Notre Dame for more than four decades.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is intended for outstanding graduate students pursuing eligible programs in science and engineering. Applicants must first gain admission to a qualifying full-time graduate program at Notre Dame.
Notre Dame’s general graduate admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification. Applicants generally need an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
However, individual departments may set higher academic standards. They can also require additional qualifications, tests or application materials.
International students can apply if they satisfy the admission requirements of their selected program.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who need to demonstrate English proficiency can submit an accepted language test. Notre Dame lists IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo English Test scores among its accepted options.
The listed minimum scores include:
- IELTS: 7.0 overall
- Duolingo English Test: 120 overall
- TOEFL iBT: 80 overall under the older 120-point scale, including at least 23 in Speaking
- Updated TOEFL iBT: 4.5 average under the 1–6 scale, with no section below 4.0
Applicants should check their department’s requirements because English language conditions can vary by program.
Application Deadline
The stated application deadline for consideration is December 1, 2026. Notre Dame considers eligible students through its graduate admission process rather than using a separate Schmitt Fellowship application.
However, individual departments can establish their own admission deadlines. Students should therefore verify the deadline for their chosen 2027 PhD program before submitting their application.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare the documents required by their selected graduate program. These commonly include:
- Academic transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- CV or résumé
- Statement of intent outlining academic interests and research plans
- Three letters of recommendation
- English proficiency test scores, if required
- GRE scores or other documents, if required by the department
Additional materials may be required depending on the chosen program.
How to Apply for the Schmitt Fellowship
First, applicants should select an eligible science or engineering PhD program at Notre Dame. They should review the program’s admission requirements, research areas and application deadline.
Next, applicants should access Notre Dame’s graduate admissions portal and select the 2027 application. They can then create an account, complete the application and upload the required documents.
Applicants must also provide contact information for three referees. They should give recommenders sufficient time to submit their letters before the relevant departmental deadline.
Eligible admitted full-time graduate students are automatically considered for Notre Dame’s select fellowship opportunities. Departments nominate candidates, followed by a competitive university-level selection process.
Application Fee and Fee Waiver
Notre Dame charges a $75 application fee for graduate applications. Students experiencing financial hardship may request a fee waiver through the application system.
Some departments may also provide application fee waivers. Applicants should follow the instructions provided in the application form and submit any supporting information requested.
The Arthur J. Schmitt Presidential Leadership Fellowship can provide significant financial support for selected science and engineering PhD students. Prospective applicants should carefully check their department’s requirements and confirm the applicable fellowship benefits before applying.
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