The Palo Alto University is proud to offer a competitive fellowship program for our doctoral students. Several named fellowships sponsored by our generous donors compliment our fellowship awards sponsored by PAU.  Awards for incoming students range from $1,000 to $5,000 per fellowship and vary in length from one to four year awards.

Fellowships are managed through the Admissions Office.

Fellowships administered by PAU will be counted as a student resource in the determination of need. This is mandated by federal regulations.

Fellowships are granted based on the following criteria:

1. Promoting diversity of the class, broadly defined to include diversity of: Race, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic background, Gender, Culture, Geography, Work and Life Experience
2. Recruiting and rewarding high quality students
3. Assisting students with financial need

All students are eligible for consideration.

At the discretion of the Program Leadership, some fellowships may be awarded to students selected for a Research Assistant position with the program faculty. Most fellowships are awarded to entering students. However, when available awards may also be granted to returning students based on the criteria above.

Deadlines:

For priority consideration, fellowship award applications must be submitted to the admissions office along with your completed admissions application postmarked by January 15. Fellowship applications received after that date are still encouraged, however awards will be considered based on the availability of funding and are not guaranteed a review.

Award Notice:

Admitted students selected to receive a fellowship award will receive a written offer of award by March 15. Applicants that have not received an admissions decision by March 15 will receive award notification at the time of their admissions decision. Awards for applicants applying past the priority deadline of January 15 may not be determined until after April 15. Fellowship awards will also be publicized in a congratulatory announcement sent out to the PAU community.

Please mail your completed fellowship application to:

PAU Admissions Office 
1791 Arastradero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94043

Graduate Fellowships List

Amy Wisniewski Fellowship

Award Amount: $1,000
Program: Ph.D. Neuroscience

Selection Criteria:

1. The student should represent the diversity of the class broadly defined as including diversity of: Race, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic background, Gender, Culture, Geography, Work and Life Experience.
2. The student should have achieved academic excellence as indicated by a GPA over 3.75 and/or several publications and/or presentations at local and national conferences.
3. A demonstrated sense of community service and innovation.
4. The student should embody Amy’s professional mission and passion for neuropsychology and education.

Elton C. and Joan R. Waelde Meditation and Psychology Fellowship

Award Amounts: Ranging from $375 to $1,500 (For between 1 and 4 students)
Program: Ph.D., Meditation and Psychology Area of Emphasis
Selection Criteria: Awarded to students for outstanding effort in incorporating meditation into their work.

The Gary and Dana Shapiro Israeli Student Fellowship

Amount: $25,000 (to be paid over Fall, Winter and Spring quarters)
Selection Criteria: Awarded to doctoral students from Israel, who express the intention that, after completing education and training, they will return to Israel to provide education and health care to the residents of that country.

Allen Calvin Israeli Fellowship

This fellowship was established by PAU board member Israel Niv, and his family, and named in honor of PAU’s president, Dr. Allen Calvin.  As natives of Israel, they are devoted to their home country and have a strong desire to help the people of Israel.

Award Amount: $5,000

Selection Criteria:

• The recipient must be an Israeli citizen who has served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) 
• The recipient must demonstrate significant financial need.
• The recipient must demonstrate a commitment to performing community work in Israel.

Tony Masini Fellowship

Award Amount: $5,000

Criteria: For incoming students interested in studying Serious Mental Illness (e.g., Psychosis, Bipolar Disorder), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or who want to work in community mental health, in Dr. Masini’s honor.

Global Mental Health Fellowship

Amount: $10,000
Program: Doctoral

Selection Criteria: For incoming students interested in contributing to positively impacting the field of mental health on a global scale.