AAHHE GRADUATE STUDENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 2026

The 2026 Call for Applications will open Monday, January 6, 2025.

The primary goal of the AAHHE Graduate Student Fellowship Program (GSFP) is to prepare Latina/o/x doctoral scholars for successful careers in academia; however, the program also provides support to Latina/o/x scholars interested in pursuing careers within administration and policy in postsecondary education. Towards this end, program sub-goals include to:

1. Provide strategies to assist scholars in achieving their educational and professional goals
2. Provide constructive feedback on graduate student fellows’ research
3. Build community and network with other Latina/o/x scholars

Eligibility

To be considered for the GSFP applicants must:

• Be Latina/o/x enrolled in a doctoral program
• Exhibit a track record of service to the Hispanic and/or Latina/o/x/e community 

Graduate Student Program Fellows will be required to become AAHHE members ($50) upon selection.

Schedule

AAHHE Graduate Student Program Fellows must attend and actively participate in all GSFP events. The GSFP program will begin in September 2025 with a welcome/orientation followed by bi-monthly webinars from October 2025 through March 2026. 

Graduate Student Program Fellows will also be required to attend select events during the AAHHE 2026 Annual Conference, date and location TBD. The AAHHE 2026 Annual Pre-Conference and Conference registration fee will be waived for Graduate Student Program Fellows. 

Important Dates

Application Process

1. Applicants are required to complete and submit an application form via the AAHHE submission portal by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, March 31, 2025.
2. The following additional documents should be uploaded as ONE PDF at the end of the online application by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, March 31, 2025.
1. Statement of Interest addressing the questions below (max of 1,000 words)
• Why are you interested in participating in the AAHHE Graduate Student Fellowship Program?
• Explanation of long-range career goals and how this fellowship will advance your career.
• Explain how your interests and experiences enable you to contribute to the AAHHE membership community.
2. Academic Research Statement (max of 500 words):
• Pre-Doctoral Candidates
1. Description of the chosen area of study and the research issue of interest.
2. Do you have compelling research or life experiences that make you competitive and most likely to succeed in your research project?
3. Explain how your research could contribute to desired social and political outcomes for the Latine community and/or society at large.
• Doctoral Candidates
1. Description of the dissertation project and how it is situated in relation to other scholars. What is new and different about your research?
2. Narrative about your work process in the dissertation. What is your research question(s)? What is the purpose or aim (as well as sub-aims) of your proposed research? Why are you passionate about this specific research topic?
3. Explain how your research could contribute to desired social and political outcomes for the Latine community and/or society at large
3. Academic and/or professional record:
• Ph.D. students | Curriculum vita
• Ed.D. students | Résume
3. One letter of support from a) an advisor, lab/center supervisor, faculty member, or community member that can speak to your contributions to the Latine ecosystem (Ph.D. students) or b) a community partner, district/school administrator, or faculty member (Ed.D. students). Only ONE letter of recommendation per applicant will be considered. Letter recommenders must also upload their letter of recommendation via the AAHHE Submission portal by Monday, March 31, 2025, 11:59 PM (ET). Applicants are responsible for providing their recommender the link to submit their letter - the link is not automatically sent to your recommender. Please advise your recommenders to create/establish their account prior to the deadline to prevent technical issues or delays in submission. If technical issues are experienced, please contact [email protected].

Selection Process

Each application is thoroughly reviewed by a diverse group that includes members of the Board of Trustees, current and past graduate/faculty fellows, and the GSFP leadership team. The leadership team carefully considers all feedback from these reviewers to make the final selection of fellows, ensuring that factors such as gender identity, race/ethnicity, institutional type, and field of discipline are thoughtfully weighed in forming the final cohort.

Program Requirements

As an AAHHE Graduate Student Fellow, you will:

• Sign and submit the AAHHE Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) NO LATER than June 27, 2025 (11:59pm ET). The link will be provided at a later date.
• Become an AAHHE active member (graduate student; $50 investment). Please process your membership by June 27, 2025.
• Submit your digital professional headshot photo (JPEG) and a 200 maximum word count biography (in MS Word, Arial, 12-point font; using third person, e.g., Garcia spent) by June 27, 2025, via the AAHHE submission portal. The link will be provided at a later date.
• Participate in ALL required Graduate Student Fellows Programming on the following dates:
• September 27, 2025
• October 18, 2025
• November 15, 2025
• January 10, 2026
• January 24, 2026
• February 14, 2026
• March 14, 2026
• 2026 AAHHE Conference: TBD
• Maintain open lines of communication with GSFP Co-Chairs in the case of anything affecting your participation in the program.
• Complete all program evaluation surveys.
• Submit a one-page reflection article. Submission guidelines will be provided at the start of the program.
• Make a commitment to AAHHE’s mission and vision and support the continuance of the various programs and events by volunteering, organizing, and/or leading future AAHHE programs and events.
• Commit to serving as an application reviewer in the year following your completion of the GSFP.

How to Submit a Strong GSFP Application

For general inquiries about the AAHHE GSFP please contact Luz Burgos-Lopez and Stacey Speller (GSFP Co-Chairs) at [email protected].