Pre-Doctoral Diversity Fellows Program

AEFP’s Pre-Doctoral Diversity Fellowship Program provides opportunities for individuals who have not yet applied to doctoral programs to learn more about education finance and policy research and assistance in navigating the process of applying to doctoral programs. Eligible participants include current undergraduates, master’s students, and other college graduates (i.e., not limited to current students) who are considering applying to a doctoral program, but have not yet applied, and who identify with a group underrepresented in AEFP’s membership (e.g., scholars of color, first-generation students, and LGBTQ+).

Through this initiative, AEFP provides financial support for students to experience the conference by attending paper and poster sessions, policy talks, special programming, and networking events. The fellowship will cover membership and registration costs for the annual conference. Those not selected as a fellow will still be invited to participate as a program affiliate.

During the conference, students will participate in specialized programming to discuss navigating the graduate school application process and other targeted education finance and policy topics in addition to policy talks, poster sessions, and paper sessions. Students will be selected via a competitive application process.

Recent graduates are eligible to apply. Current students enrolled in a doctoral degree program are not eligible.

Program Timeline

• Application deadline: December 1, 2023
• ​Notification of decision: Mid-January 2024
• Kickoff meeting: Early March 2024