What is the 3M Science & Technology Graduate Fellowship?
The 3M Science and Technology Graduate Fellowship (3M Fellowship) provides a multi-year fellowship to exceptional, incoming PhD students in science and engineering.
WHAT IS THE AWARD?
In Year 1, the 3M fellowship is a $25,000 stipend, academic year tuition at the general graduate rate for up to 14 credits per semester, subsidized health insurance through the Graduate Assistant Health Plan for up to one calendar year.
In Years 2-4, the 3M fellowship is an $8,000 stipend, which supplements a 50% assistantship provided by the fellow’s department.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION WINDOW?
The 2026-27 application window will open October 1, 2025. The submission deadline is February 20, 2026 by 5:00pm central time. Deadline extensions will not be granted; late submissions will not be accepted.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- Prospective PhD students to research-based programs within the University of Minnesota system regardless of citizenship status
- Eligible PhD programs include those in science and engineering disciplines.
- Prospective PhD students whose research interests align with 3M Priority Areas.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Program nomination is required, and the nomination process will vary depending on the nominee’s college. Please review the details below and reach out to your Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Program Coordinator to inquire about nomination.
Nominees from the College of Science & Engineering (CSE): CSE manages an internal competition and selection. Nominees applying to a PhD program in CSE can reach out to [email protected] for nomination details.
Nominees from programs outside CSE: Non-CSE Programs are limited to one (1) nominee per program. Nominations to the 3M Fellowship are through the Graduate School Application System.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION MATERIALS?
NOTE: These are the application materials required for a non-CSE nomination. If the nominee applied to a PhD program in CSE then please reach out to [email protected] for information about required application materials and nomination process.
- Curriculum Vitae, see details below
- Program Nomination Letter, see details below
- Transcripts
APPLICATION MATERIALS
Curriculum Vitae
- Nominee’s curriculum vitae submitted in their admission application will be considered in the 3M Fellowship packet.
- If your program does not require a CV then you’ll need to request it from your nominee and upload it to SLATE.
Program Nomination Letter
- Two-page maximum, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman type, 1-inch margins.
- Describe the nominee’s research experience and notable accomplishments, which could include publication record.
- Describe the nominee’s planned area of study and how this aligns with 3M Priority Areas.
- Describe why the program is recruiting this student.
- Letters should be written in terms that are accessible to an educated, non-specialist audience.
FAQ
Who is responsible for providing the 50% assistantship in Years 2-4?
- Programs/departments are responsible for providing a 50% assistantship in Years 2-4 of the 3M Fellowship.
- By submitting a nomination, programs/departments agree to provide a 50% assistantship in Years 2-4.
What is the review and decision-making process for these requests?
- For nominees from a PhD program in CSE, CSE internally manages the review and selection process. Please reach out to [email protected] for further inquiry.
- For nominees from a non-CSE PhD program at UMN, representative faculty leaders from CBS, MED, and Duluth review and select fellowship recipients.
How is the funding disbursed?
- In Year 1, the $25,000 stipend is disbursed via a University non-service (UNS appointment) through payroll. Recipients will receive a bi-weekly paycheck. UNS appointments follow the UMN Payroll calendar.
- In years 2-4, the $8,000 stipend is disbursed via scholarship upload in two equal lump sum payments at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. The first $4,000 payment will post to the student account on the 10th business day of the fall semester, and the second $4,000 payment will post to the student account on the 10th business day of the spring semester.
- Fellowship stipends disbursed via UNS appointments and via scholarship upload are considered financial aid.