Fwd: Applications Now Open for Graduate Student Merit Scholarships & Fellowships

 Dear AGNR Graduate Students & Colleagues, 

Applications are now open for four different graduate student funding opportunities available from the AGNR Academic Programs Office. The four awards are described below including any eligibility information. Awards are valued at over $1000 but less than $5000 for spring 2026. 

To be eligible for awards, students must be considered part of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and must be continuing their studies through the Spring 2026 semester.

The awards we currently have available are as follows: 

RICHARD F. DAVIS SCHOLARSHIP

This award is to be given to an outstanding and deserving scholar with a broad interest in agriculture. Preference will be given to a Ph.D. student who has already earned a Master’s Degree. 

H. PALMER HOPKINS SCHOLARSHIP

This award is to be given to an outstanding graduate student who intends to pursue a career in agricultural science education (at any level including the professoriate). Preference will be given to students who are initiating their graduate training. 

DR. DONALD C. ESSICH GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP

This award provides support for graduate students pursuing research in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 

DR. SI DUK LEE GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP

This award provides support for graduate students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 

To apply for the AGNR Graduate Student Merit Scholarships, please complete the application at https://go.umd.edu/agnrgradmerit. As part of this application, you must: 

1. Fully complete all questions on the digital application
2. Upload a copy of your CV/resume
3. Either upload a copy of a letter of recommendation from your graduate program advisor OR direct your advisor to email a letter of support to agnrsscholarships@umd.edu by the application deadline. 
4. Optional: Provide up to one additional letter of recommendation from another faculty member beyond their advisor (via upload or email)

Completed applications are due by Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST. Awardees will be notified in December and all awards will apply in Spring 2025. 

Please disregard any previous messaging related to these applications being on Scholarship Universe-- they are NOT on that platform for the Spring 2026 award cycle. 

Thank you in advance for your support and nominations. 

Sincerely,