McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Opening Soon
Offered by Florida Education Fund
About This Scholarship
The McKnight Doctoral Fellowship is the Florida Education Fund's flagship graduate program, granting up to 50 fellowships each year to African American and Hispanic U.S. citizens pursuing Ph.D. degrees at participating Florida universities. Each fellowship provides a stipend of up to $14,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years contingent on satisfactory progress toward the doctorate.
Eligible applicants may pursue doctorates in the arts and sciences, business, engineering, health sciences, nursing, or visual and performing arts, with particular emphasis on fields like biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics where these groups are historically underrepresented. Professional doctorates such as the M.D., J.D., and Ed.D. are excluded.
Applications for 2027–28 funding open November 1, 2026, and all materials must be submitted online or postmarked by January 15. Fellowship consideration also requires admission to a Ph.D. program at one of the participating Florida institutions by February 28, so applicants should apply to their target graduate programs in parallel. The application includes a statement of purpose, three confidential recommendations, transcripts, and a resume.
Eligibility
- African American or Hispanic U.S. citizen, per the Florida Education Fund's posted criteria
- Pursuing a Ph.D. at a participating Florida university (admission required by February 28)
- Eligible disciplines include arts and sciences, business, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and visual/performing arts; professional doctorates (M.D., J.D., D.V.M., Ed.D.) are excluded
- Renewal requires satisfactory performance and normal progress toward the doctorate
How To Apply
- Apply directly to Ph.D. programs at participating Florida universities in parallel with the fellowship application
- Complete the online MDF application (opens November 1, 2026) with a statement of purpose, resume, and residency affidavit if applicable
- Arrange three confidential recommendation letters and official transcripts sent directly to the FEF office by January 15
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship worth?
Each fellowship provides a stipend of up to $14,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years, for up to $42,000 in stipend support, alongside the admission package from your Ph.D. program.
Do I need to be admitted to a Ph.D. program before applying?
You can apply first, but you must be admitted to at least one Ph.D. program at a participating Florida university by February 28 for your fellowship application to be considered.