Full-time Ph.D. students are responsible for covering their student fees, but they receive full funding through research or teaching assistantships, departmental support and fellowships from a variety of organizations.
Assistantships
The specific duties of these positions can vary based on the project, but typically require about 20 hours of service per week. Support includes:
- Monthly stipend
- Full tuition waiver
- Medical and dental insurance
Research assistantships
The number of research assistantships awarded varies depending on the status of research grants in the department. Some specialty areas hire research assistants at the master’s level, while others typically only fund Ph.D. students. Students hired as a research assistant conduct research under the supervision of a faculty member, who is the principal investigator on the grant.
Teaching assistantships
Funding in the form of a teaching assistantship is highly competitive and awarded to the most outstanding applicants. Typically, only the Structural Engineering group awards Teaching Assistantships to incoming students.
Fellowships
Applying for funding
All applicants to the master’s thesis and Ph.D. programs are considered for research assistantship and teaching assistantship funding. No separate application is required, but applicants should indicate their interest in the their statement of purpose.
- In your statement of purpose, which will be included in your application materials, please specify if you would like to be considered for a research or teaching assistantship.
- In your statement of purpose, indicate which faculty member you are interested in working with.
Funding for research and teaching assistantships is limited, and awards are made on a competitive basis by departmental faculty in each research area.
Graduate funding information service
The Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS) helps current and admitted UW graduate students find funding for graduate school-related expenses. For more information contact: UW Grants & Funding Information Service at gfis@u.washington.edu or call 206-616-3084.
How to search for graduate school funding: scholarships, fellowships & grants
Explore the UW libraries to learn the skills and tools to find funding as a current and admitted UW graduate student.
Learn more