For doctoral students who believe higher education should break boundaries—not reinforce them—New York just delivered big news. The CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies has officially opened applications for its Doctoral Fellows Program 2026–2027, offering a rare chance to earn while you lead, learn, and shape the future of interdisciplinary education.
This isn’t just another campus job. This is a prestigious paid fellowship where selected PhD candidates step into high-impact leadership roles—while securing serious financial support, tuition benefits, and professional development that can transform the rest of their academic career.
If you’ve been searching for a way to fund your doctorate without sacrificing experience, growth, or dignity, this opportunity deserves your full attention.
What This Fellowship Really Brings to the Table?
At a time when most doctoral students juggle multiple responsibilities just to stay afloat, the CUNY BA Doctoral Fellowship flips the script—offering paid, purpose-driven work that directly strengthens your CV while supporting your academic journey.
Selected Fellows commit to 15 hours per week in meaningful non-teaching roles and receive a minimum total compensation of $30,141 for the academic year, alongside access to low-cost health insurance and in-state tuition remission—a powerful package for any PhD candidate navigating the financial realities of graduate school.
This is more than funding. It’s a paid leadership platform where your work in recruitment, communications, student leadership, or community-building becomes a career accelerator—preparing you for future roles in higher-ed administration, policy, research leadership, and beyond.
Offerings & Benefits of Winning the CUNY BA Doctoral Fellowship
Winning this fellowship places you in a select group of doctoral leaders shaping one of CUNY’s most innovative academic programs. Beyond the prestige, the benefits are practical, powerful, and career-defining: you receive over $30,000 in annual compensation, split between a Graduate Assistant appointment and a Provost’s Award, gain eligibility for NYSHIP low-cost health insurance, and enjoy in-state tuition remission that can save thousands more.
On top of the financial relief, Fellows build elite experience in project management, strategic communication, recruitment, student leadership development, and academic programming—skills that open doors far beyond graduation. This is the kind of opportunity that doesn’t just support your PhD—it multiplies its value.
Eligibility Requirements
If you’re a doctoral student who wants your funding to come with purpose, this fellowship was designed with you in mind.
To apply, you should:
- Be a doctoral student at CUNY in your 3rd, 4th, or 5th year by the start of the fellowship
- Have 2–3 years of institutional funding remaining
- Bring administrative or program experience (or strong interest in learning it)
- Be interested in areas such as recruitment, communications, events planning, student leadership, or community-building
- Demonstrate commitment to equity, access, and interdisciplinary education
- Possess strong time management, interpersonal, and organizational skills
Students from all disciplines and campuses are encouraged to apply.
Apply: https://cunyba.cuny.edu/news/call-for-applications-cuny-ba-doctoral-fellowships/
The last date to apply for the CUNY BA Doctoral Fellowships 2026–2027 is Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Applications received by this deadline will be considered for interviews taking place in March, with final selections announced no later than May 1—making this one of the most time-sensitive and high-impact fellowship opportunities doctoral students can pursue this year.