Tuition and Funding Support for Doctoral Students

All full-time SPPA doctoral students​ are admitted with 4 years of funding support, which includes a stipend for an assistantship assignment and 100% tuition scholarship. The University of Delaware sets the graduate tuition rate, which typically changes each year. 

SPPA doctoral support opportunities include :

• Research assistantships in multiple research and public service centers

• Teaching assistantships in SPPA and other units on campus    

• University of Delaware and College of Arts and Sciences fellowships

• Fellowships for students from underrepresented groups

• And more

Additional Support

We realize that Ph.D. students often require support beyond tuition and a stipend in order to have a comprehensive experience. So, we offer other kinds of support to ensure our students are able to complete their research and engage in meaningful academic and professional development. SPPA doctoral students can apply for competitive funding for:

• Conference travel

• Summer and winter session support

• Study abroad

• Research abroad

• Special equipment and resources for dissertation research

• And more

Our funding support packages also include Student Health Insurance as well as prescription coverage. The University pays for approximately 86% of the cost of this plan as well as a 50% subsidy of a dental plan. Details may be found by clicking here.

​SPPA's doctoral programs in Urban Affairs & Public Policy, Disaster Science & Management, and Energy & Environmental Policy offer students the opportunity to study a variety of salient policy issues in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment. We have a very high competition rate as our community of scholars is dedicated to the success of each individual student. 

All of the programs focus on applied research and the creation of usable knowledge. These action-oriented research degrees position our alumni for placement in many well-respected academic, public, and nonprofit institutions. 

SPPA provides financial assistance to Ph.D. students through teaching assistantships, research assistantships generated by the 7 SPPA-affiliated research and public service centers, and external funding sources. A student's assistantship placement may change year to year to provide a variety of enriching experiences and academic skill-building, as well as to meet departmental needs. 

SPPA doctoral students are nominated by the school for competitive University of Delaware and College of Arts and Science Fellowships. We also have Ph.D. students supported by external organizations, such as Fulbright and government agencies—and we welcome students with this type of support to apply. 

​As a major source of support for the University of Delaware’s diversity efforts, SPPA receives several University Graduate Scholars (UGS) awards each year for graduate students. A UGS award comprises a full tuition scholarship for the academic year (fall and spring semesters) and a graduate student stipend. University Graduate Scholars are expected to work in one of SPPA’s affiliated research centers for 20 hours per week during the academic year. 

​Please review the terms for financial aid for graduate study at the School of Public Policy & Administration at University of Delaware. Funding is offered for 4 years of full-time study in the doctoral programs, pending satisfactory performance and degree progress.