Liebman Fellowships

Campus Deadline: TBA (~January, 2025)

The Will of Dolores Zohrab Liebmann created a perpetual charitable trust designated as The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund for the purpose of funding advanced education and graduate study grants, which must be carried out entirely in the United States of America.

The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowships are to be awarded only to candidates who have outstanding undergraduate records, have demonstrated a need for financial assistance, are citizens of the United States of America, are enrolled in accredited colleges and universities in the United States and have received baccalaureate degrees.

Mrs. Liebmann was the daughter of a prominent Armenian intellectual, writer and statesman and was married to one of the owners of a successful American business. She supported students and educational and charitable organizations during her lifetime. Mrs. Liebmann’s primary concern, as expressed in her Will, was to attract and support students with outstanding character and ability who hold promise for achievement and distinction in their chosen fields of study. The trustees welcome applications from students of all national origins who are United States citizens.

The amount of each Fellowship will cover the cost of tuition only (no fees) and a stipend to be allocated towards room, board, living expenses and income taxes. The Trustee has set the stipend at $18,000 for this year. The procedures governing the granting of the awards are detailed in the application.

Indiana University is a designated Institution and may submit up to three candidates for consideration. In the event more than three applicants apply, the University Graduate School will review the applications and select from the applicant pool three nominees to be considered for the Fellowship.

Candidate Qualifications

1. Fellowships are available to students who are currently enrolled in and pursuing a graduate degree at a designated institution of higher learning located in the United States of America. Undergraduate students are no longer qualified candidates.

2. The program of study being pursued by the candidate may include any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences (including law, medicine, engineering, architecture or other formal professional training). The selection committee has a strong preference for supporting scholarly endeavors.

3. The candidate must have received a baccalaureate degree at the time of application and have an outstanding undergraduate record.

4. The candidate must demonstrate a need for financial assistance.

5. The candidate must be a citizen of the United States of America.

6. The candidate may be of any national descent or background.

Fellowship Details

1. The amount of each Fellowship will cover actual tuition cost (no fees) plus an $18,000 annual stipend to be allocated towards room, board and ordinary living expenses, as well as any income taxes thereon.

2. The recipient of a Fellowship shall be known as a Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellow.

3. Fellowships are awarded annually. Each Fellow MUST APPLY FOR A RENEWAL of his or her fellowship by March 31st of the following year in accordance with the terms in effect at the time the fellowship is awarded. (No reminder will be sent.) Fellowships will be limited to a maximum of three years.

4. If a student needs to defer to study abroad, an email must be sent to Cory Whitlock notifying as such and can only be deferred once up to one academic year.

5. A fellowship may be canceled at any time if a Fellow engages in misconduct affecting the Fund, breaches any of these rules or provides false information to the Fund either directly or indirectly.

Application Process

Due to the critical nature of the required materials, the department, college or school will submit the application.

Students must submit an application and supporting documents to their program/department. Please see your department regarding their internal deadline.

Students must submit the following items to their department for consideration:

1. Student application form with supporting documents including:

   1. your personal vitae or résume

   2. unofficial copies of all your undergraduate and graduate transcripts to date
      *certified copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts to date are required if nominated for the national competition. 

   3. a copy of all graduate exam test scores (if applicable/available)*

   4. a statement of purpose (up to three pages long, double spaced) which considers the relationship between your graduate study and your intended personal and/or professional goals. Your statement of purpose must include a 10-15 line abstract at the top (included in the three pages) that explains, in LAYMAN’S terms, the essence of your proposed topic of study or dissertation, the methodology of its treatment and its anticipated impact on your field of study.

   5. a copy of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)

   6. a list of expected sources of funding for the fellowship period

   7. copies of Federal Income Tax Returns for the prior two years (including spouse’s returns, if applicable*). Only submit the Tax Return Form – Do NOT send attachments, supporting paperwork, etc...

Department/school/college nomination process

In addition to the items listed above, please submit a letter of recommendation from 2 professors who have taught, or worked closely with, the student. (REQUIRED) Recommenders should submit their letters directly to the department/college/school.

* If any of the documents above are not applicable, please include a statement in its place in the application packet that explains why the item is not applicable.

** Please DO NOT email JPMorgan with any questions. Contact the IUGSB Fellowships and Awards Coordinator at ugsawrd@iu.edu. If they are not able to answer your question, they will contact JPMorgan.