John H Edwards Fellowship
Nomination Deadline: Monday, February 3, 2025
The John H. Edwards Fellowship is one of the University’s most prestigious academic awards. The Edwards Trust Fund provides income for multiple fellowships of approximately $25,000 each for graduate students in terminal degree programs at any campus of Indiana University in the academic year 2025-2026. A university-wide committee selects the fellows from nominations made by the deans of departments and schools.
In accordance with the bequest, the John H. Edwards Fellowship will be awarded on the following basis:
Good citizenship, character, especially attitude toward public service and the likelihood of future usefulness to society, scholastic ability, intellectual capacity, and upon such other bases and qualifications, and in such manner, as the Trustees of Indiana University in their discretion and judgment may determine from time to time, but always without regard to consideration of religion, creed, race, national origin, color, sex, or political affiliation.
The Edwards Trust Fund Committee interprets the above paragraph as an instruction to nominate a candidate with an extraordinary record of voluntary public service, exemplary character, superior scholastic ability, and intellectual capacity that promises dividends for society. Consistent with University policy, nominations for this award should be made without regard to sexual orientation or disability.
See below for eligibility requirements and application instructions.
Award and Benefits
This is a single-year award valued at $25,000 for the following academic year. The fellowship is a stipend only. The nominating school is strongly encouraged to provide a fee remission. Departments may supplement the award up to the average fellowship amount typically received by students in that department.
The award must be used for the year it is awarded. A recipient cannot place this award into a reserve status because of receiving another award. Successful nominees who are awarded an Edwards Fellowship may not accept substantial financial assistance from another source or other employment, including Student Academic Appointments, for that academic year.
Student Deliverables to Department
Students should submit the required information to the department.
Schools and Colleges should submit the nomination form with the required student deliverables and supporting letters.
Departments in the College of Arts and Sciences submit their nominations to the College for consideration. Please contact the College at collgrad@iu.edu for more information.
Department Nomination Form
Application components include:
- A curriculum vitae/resume (including public service activities and volunteerism)
- A personal statement (maximum 2 pages) addressing the nominee's academic goals and the relationship of public service and volunteerism to these goals
- Transcripts (unofficial) of undergraduate and graduate work, including those from Indiana University and other institutions
- 2 letters of recommendation submitted directly to the department.
- 1 letter of support from a public service agency or organization where the nominee has volunteered. The letter should address the agency's mission, how the nominee contributed to that mission, the duration and commitment of time volunteered, and the impact of their efforts. The agency should submit their letter to the department..
