Alum Fellowships

Thanks to generous gifts from alums, the Alumnae Association and the College offer a small number of fellowships annually to Mount Holyoke College graduates and students in their senior year. 

Fellowship funds may be used for a project or for graduate study. Applicants may apply to multiple fellowships through one application as long as they meet the criteria for each award. Applicants may apply for funding toward a graduate program before they have received acceptance to said program, but the distribution of funds is contingent on acceptance. Applicants are welcome to apply for fellowships to be used in addition to funds from other sources; please indicate all funding sources on the application form.

Those who have received a fellowship in the past may apply again, but preference will be given to those who have not yet received an award.

Applications opened on September 1 and the deadline has been extended to November 30, 2023. All applicants will be notified of final decisions via email by May 15. Financial awards will be disbursed by July 30.

Apply Now Fellowships Recommendation Form

Available Alum Fellowships:

The 1905 Fellowship:
Awarded regardless of year of graduation, field of work, or place of study.

Bardwell Memorial Fellowship:
Awarded to a recent graduate (within five years), without limitation to field of work or place of study.

Dr. Mary P. Dole Medical Fellowship:
Awarded for research to alums, preferably to those who hold a Doctor of Medicine degree.

Frances Mary Hazen Fellowship:
Awarded, preferably, to a candidate in the field of classics.

Hannum-Warner Travel Fellowship:
Awarded for travel and study, preferably in Asia (although the West is not excluded).

Lyon’s Pride Fellowship:
Awarded, preferably, to a candidate pursuing a LGBTQ, gender, or feminist studies project.

Mary E. Woolley Fellowship:
The Alumnae Association’s most prestigious award, granted regardless of year of graduation, field of work, or place of study.

Rachel Brown Fellowship:
Awarded for the first year of graduate study in the physical or biological sciences to those who majored in these fields.

Richard A. Johnson Prize:
Awarded to a candidate planning to teach at the secondary level in any discipline.

For the smoothest application experience, please prepare all required materials before beginning your application. Applications will not be considered without all of the components below. All documentation must be received by November. 

1. Application form, which includes:

2. Essay to be uploaded addressing the following questions in 500 words or less:

  • What is the goal of the project?
  • How will you achieve this goal?
  • Why do you think you can achieve this goal?
  • What is the significance of the goal beyond your own personal accomplishment?

3. Resume or curriculum vitae (C.V.) to be uploaded.

4. Mount Holyoke transcript. Only current students are required to submit a transcript. Alums do not need to submit transcripts. Unofficial transcripts (available at no cost) will be accepted, and students may access them through My.MountHolyoke.

5. Three letters of recommendation. To be uploaded by referrers only. The letters of recommendation should speak to an applicant’s dedication and ability to achieve your project/graduate study goals. Letters may give examples of past achievements that indicate potential for success with your proposed project. Your recommendations should fill out our Alum Fellowship Recommendation Form